Supermarket Shaping
3 minute readPublished: Tuesday, September 30, 2025 at 9:00 am
New York City Eyes Public Grocery Stores to Combat Food Deserts
New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani has proposed a pilot program for five city-owned grocery stores, a move that could reshape the grocery landscape. The initiative aims to address food deserts, areas where access to affordable and fresh food is limited, by offering goods at lower prices due to the absence of profit motives.
The concept of public groceries is not new, with several cities, including Madison, Wisconsin, and Kansas City, Missouri, already experimenting with the model. Some municipalities have adopted a fully public model, while others utilize public-private partnerships. The latter, where the city provides support and infrastructure while private operators manage the stores, is seen as a promising approach.
However, the success of public groceries faces challenges. Independent grocers struggle to compete with large chains like Walmart and Aldi, which secure favorable pricing from suppliers. This advantage is often attributed to the lack of enforcement of the Robinson-Patman Act, a law designed to prevent price discrimination against smaller retailers.
The Robinson-Patman Act, passed in 1936, required distributors to offer the same pricing to all retailers. While it initially leveled the playing field, enforcement waned in the 1970s and 1980s, contributing to the rise of large grocery chains. Recent attempts to revive the Act have faced setbacks, including the dismissal of a Federal Trade Commission case against PepsiCo.
Mamdani's plan could leverage the city's resources to pressure distributors for fair deals. Additionally, New York could consider enacting a state law mirroring the Robinson-Patman Act, further empowering the city.
BNN's Perspective:
While the concept of public grocery stores offers a potential solution to food deserts, the success of such initiatives hinges on addressing the broader issue of market consolidation and the enforcement of anti-monopoly laws. A balanced approach, combining public support with efforts to level the playing field for all grocers, is crucial for ensuring access to affordable and healthy food for all residents.
Keywords: Public grocery stores, food deserts, Robinson-Patman Act, New York City, Zohran Mamdani, grocery industry, Walmart, price discrimination, independent grocers, anti-monopoly, FTC, grocery access