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Democratic New York City Mayor Candidate Zohran Mamdani He defended his plan for the government-run grocery store program Friday when an attempt in Kansas City, Missouri failed.
“There is another example in Kansas City where there is a government-run grocery store that has been around for many years, but it is [closed] Because it doesn’t work. They are plagued by crime. They only deal with the lack of inventory. There are other examples that don’t work because frankly, the government is not good at grocery stores. Then what did you say to that example?
Mamdani’s plan Government-run grocery stores It is one of his progressive agenda items, including raising taxes on companies, free buses and rent-freezes.
“I said this example, and the city’s example of the city in New York City, we’re going to prove not only that we have to prove the effect of this idea, but also the excellence of this idea. Because every example you can point out, there’s another municipality today at the time, considering a city-run grocery store, it’s a good thing for me. Being five stores costs $60 million, less than half the city is already subsidizing corporate supermarkets,” Mamdani said.
Zohran Mamdani spoke to a reporter outside the Jacob Javits building in the federal Jacob Javits in New York on August 7, 2025. (Lev Radin/Pacific Press/Lightrocket via Getty Images)
Local news media reported in August Kansas City Sun Fresh Market Locked and said the store “cannot serve the community”.
“Unfortunately, due to unforeseen circumstances beyond our control, we are no longer able to serve the residents of this important community,” the note reads, According to KSHB in Kansas City. “Providing quality products and services in a safe, home environment has always been our dream and passion. At the moment, unfortunately, we cannot do that.”
The city purchased the Linwood Mall in 2016, where the Sun operates freshly and opened a grocery store in 2018 to provide more options for residents. Kansas City spent more than $17 million in taxpayer currency to acquire and renovate the Sunshine Fresh Market.
Despite the efforts, Sunshine fresh The available shelves and crimes were reportedly causing employees to carry Tasers. Last year, the Kansas City Council approved $750,000 in emergency city funding to keep stores open, but to no avail.
New York mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani speaks at a press conference in New York City on August 11, 2025. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)
Philip also asked Mamdani to explain how his plan actually works.
“There are more than a thousand grocery stores in New York City. I recommend creating five additional grocery stores, one of which is every borough in New York City, which will ensure that grocery stores are cheaper, not free food, but cheap food,” he said.
Mamdani believes groceries are too expensive and says it is necessary for New Yorkers.
Zohran Mamdani speaks to reporters as she leaves the Dickson Senate office building in Washington, D.C. on July 16, 2025 (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)
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“We can see the commitment and possibilities of public choice. We have seen research on what applies in an urban environment like Chicago, which is something we can actually offer in New York City,” he said.
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Fox News’s Lindsay Kornick contributed to the report.
