Legislative Discussion: Grocery Subsidies - July 31, 2026 Windham Independent
Legislative Discussion: Grocery Subsidies
Last week, I pointed out that Democrats believe in energy subsidies for unprofitable projects. So let’s look at how NYC Mayor Mamdani believes the government can make groceries cheaper: to nobody’s surprise, it’s subsidies.
During Mayor Mamdani’s July 27 press conference (transcript at nyc.gov, video on YouTube), the Mayor and other City officials announced two stores that will open in 2027 and 2029. The City will spend $70 million on the buildings, but stores will be run by private businesses (with the City also paying their rent/property taxes).
In return, the stores will sell certain items (“all fresh produce, meat, and seafood, along with 20 other essential items like cheese, milk and bread”) at a price set monthly by the City, about 30% under market.
The grocery business is extremely competitive - profit margins are 1-3% of the revenues. Selling groceries 30% under market prices would be unprofitable without subsidies large enough to cover that discount, plus the risk of guaranteeing the price for a full month, and the cost of additional regulation, making this a wasteful way to help customers, but a lucrative deal for the operator.
Think of the harm to the neighboring grocery stores and bodegas - how could they possibly compete with a government funded grocery store that sells goods 30% below market prices?
If Democrats wanted to spend money to help poor people, they should have funded food stamps or other means tested programs.
What happens when a store sells goods much cheaper than the market? It either gets its shelves cleaned up quickly, resulting in shortages, or it has to ration/limit the amounts it is selling.
I would never support policies that waste taxpayer dollars like that. Nor would I support policies that give some businesses huge subsidies that they can use to hurt every other business in the area. And I know that selling anything 30% under the market value will lead to rationing/shortages and resellers buying at the subsidized price to make an easy profit.
Just like with any other government project, NYC will have no interest in shutting down those stores if they fail, either - they will just throw more taxpayer money at them, to keep looking like they are winning the affordability fight.
Subsidizing money losing grocery stores is not leadership - it’s just spending taxpayer money to score political points.
To keep fighting against subsidies, I need your support in the September 8 primary elections. I knocked on 800+ doors already, and I will reach over 2,000 before the primary. The best way to be accountable is to look you in the eye and answer your questions in person - looking forward to many more conversations with you.
Please reach out to me at 603 267 4142 (call or text) or at dpmwindham@gmail.com (a quick call or text after emailing me would greatly help) with any questions or concerns.
Daniel Popovici-Muller
Vice-Chairman, Finance 2
State Representative Candidate