Dr. Melony Samuels, CEO and Founder, Campaign Against Hunger: Good morning, Brooklyn. It's an honor to be at the Campaign Against Hunger with so many friends and partners. I want to thank all of you for coming out. At this time, I want to acknowledge with us our Mayor Mamdani. Put your hands together - our Mayor Mamdani. We also want to take this time out to recognize and honor our Deputy Mayor Su; our Interim President and CEO Jeanny Pak from [NYC] Economic Development Corp.
At this time, without any further ado, as you're with the Campaign Against Hunger, as many of you know that we serve thousands of families right here from this place, from our East New York Hub. Understanding what is needed in our community and not only that, we know that personally from our experience - all of you, for those of you who are community partners - understand that many families struggle to put food on their table. And when they go into a supermarket, because of the cost of food, it is very difficult for them to feed their family. And this is why today we're here. And I am excited to let you know that I am overly excited because our mayor, Mayor Mamdani, is about to do an announcement right here in this space. And I want you to put your hands together and welcome Mayor Mamdani because he believes in affordability and access. God bless you.
Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani: Good morning, Brooklyn! It is an honor to be here at the Campaign Against Hunger with so many friends and partners. Can we have a round of applause for Dr. Melony Samuels for welcoming us here and for your lifetime of service to the people of New York? For nearly 30 years, you have led the fight against hunger here in our city, growing this operation from a small emergency food program to a leading food distributor that serves hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers each year and provides programming on how to live a healthier life.
I also want to acknowledge leaders here from our administration. Our deputy mayor for Economic Justice, Julie Su; and our incredible interim president and CEO, Jeanny Pak of the Economic Development Corporation. I would be remiss if I didn't also acknowledge a future Assembly member here in the crowd, Christian Celeste. And we are here today speaking of leaders in government, outside of government - and we also know that alongside us today are so many leaders, whether they have been in civil service or also we have organized labor who is here with us, RWDSU Unite Near Local 100.
And we come together and I ask that we begin by reflecting on the number 30. It's history, it's significance and it's future here in New York City. A token to ride the subway cost 30 cents in 1970, which was a 50 percent increase from the previous year that sparked outcry, protests and led to 12 arrests. The digits three zero have been donned by some of our most beloved athletes: from the Liberty's Breanna Stewart to the Yankees' Willie Randolph to the Rangers' Henrik Lundqvist. And researchers estimate that at least 30 percent of grocery stores across the five boroughs are currently playing the song "Drops of Jupiter" at this very moment.
However, we know that for many New Yorkers, 30 percent at the grocery store means something very different. Since 2019, food prices have soared at grocery stores around the country by roughly 30 percent, in fact. Talk to shoppers around the city, and you'll often hear the same frustration: wages have not kept up. Making matters even worse, some corporations have built out technology that allows for something called "surveillance pricing," collecting personal data to charge some people more than others for the same carton of eggs, for the same gallon of milk. All of this leaves too many New Yorkers feeling like groceries are out of reach. And that is frankly unacceptable. Which is why City government is stepping in to make people's lives more affordable.
Today, I am proud to announce a collection of essential staples that will be predictably 30 percent cheaper at all five of our city-run grocery stores. This core set of goods will include all fresh produce, meat, and seafood, along with 20 other essential items like cheese, milk and bread. Here's how it will work. Once a month, our five city-run grocery stores will set prices for this core set of goods at 30 percent below typical retail prices - no exceptions, no gimmicks. The savings will last for the entire month. That means no weekly fluctuations nor sticker shock at the checkout line; not for our seniors living on fixed incomes nor for the parents who rely on a regular supply of apple slices to keep toddler tantrums at bay.
Now, can we all see this incredible example of produce in my hand? Now you will see these plantains here. So, for anyone wondering how much these beautiful plantains might cost, you can use this QR code or head to grocery.nyc to access our policy report. I'm going to demonstrate exactly what that means. Ladies and gentlemen, the QR code does work. You can see this here. There you can learn more about our city-owned grocery store program, including the 30 percent discount. Thirty percent off adds up to real money for New Yorkers with an estimated $90 saved on grocery bills each month. That is more than $1,000 saved every year. And just as important as money, those savings add up to time. For many, that 30 percent discount is the difference between an evening spent around the dinner table with family or working another double shift to make ends meet.
Our vision of affordable, well-run, city-owned grocery stores can only be accomplished with experienced operators who know how to source products, stock the shelves and help answer shopper questions. So, today, we are also issuing an RFP for private operators to help us with the day-to-day management of our five city-run grocery stores. If you know how to run a grocery store and you want to do more to help your fellow New Yorkers, I encourage you to head to grocery.nyc or scan the QR code to learn more about how to apply. As we make these stores a reality, we are committed to ensuring those who work here will have good contracts for good jobs with store workers receiving family sustaining wages and benefits.
In the wealthiest city, in the wealthiest country in the history of the world, no New Yorker should have to worry about being able to afford to feed their family. This sentiment, frankly, is not new. More than a century ago, Mayor Fiorello La Guardia witnessed the Food Riots of 1917, led by immigrant mothers incensed with soaring food prices. Those mothers took to the streets to overturn push carts and eventually called for a boycott of marked up goods. Years later, when he became mayor, he spearheaded the creation of municipally owned markets to reduce the cost of groceries for those same immigrant mothers. He did so because he believed in a simple definition of the task of government to make people's lives better. Today, we are one step closer to fulfilling that fundamental responsibility. Thank you very much. Now with that, I'm going to pass it over to our deputy mayor, Julie Su.
Deputy Mayor Julie Su, Economic Justice: Good morning, everybody. Thank you so much, mayor. I also want to acknowledge our Groceries Interagency Task Force, who helped us get to this day and many of whom are in the room with us. So, as the mayor said, I'm Julie Su, the deputy mayor for economic justice, a position that the mayor created to be sure that we are utilizing all the tools of City government to make New York City a place where the people who choose to live here also know that they belong here. And that belonging isn't abstract; when you can't afford something as basic as groceries, it feels like the city is pushing you out. It means making impossible choices: eggs or bananas, milk or meat. Even essential groceries or necessary medication, food to fill a lunchbox or shoes to fit growing children's feet. A trip to the grocery store feels heavy and that's not just because of the weight of the basket.
A lot of what's pushing those prices up isn't ours to control. Wars an ocean away raise the cost of fuel and that cost gets passed on to you. Erratic tariffs that have raised the prices of everything from coffee beans to tin cans shows up in grocery prices too. Farms across this country are struggling, destabilizing our food supply, affecting what's available on the shelf and what it costs. And some of it is just plain old price gouging, companies charging more, including doing things, as the mayor said, using algorithms to figure out who's desperate enough to pay what and then charging accordingly. None of that is unique to New York City - but this city doesn't have to take it either.
Since his first day in office, our mayor has made one thing clear: the essentials of life are too important to leave to chance. To those who say, "Why should government be in the business of cheaper groceries?" Our answer is, we've been showing since January that what government can and should be doing is about making life tangibly better for people. And ensuring that New Yorkers can put healthy, fresh food on the table is among the most important ways we can think of. So, while we don't control all the reasons that grocers are unaffordable, we are going to be ambitious and imaginative about what we can do.
The mayor talked about the discount, bringing down the price by 30 percent. As we've also said many times, affordability is about both sides of the equation, bringing prices down and bringing up what workers get and the number of good jobs in this city. Today we're making absolutely clear that these grocery stores will provide quality jobs with families sustaining benefits and wages for the people stocking the shelves, bringing you up and keeping the lights on. This is what it looks like to build a city where your government is doing everything in our power to make sure that New Yorkers can stay, can live and can truly belong. So, with that, let me introduce our interim president and CEO of the EDC, Jeanny Pak.
Jeanny Pak, Interim President & CEO, NYC Economic Development Corporation: Good morning, everyone. This is a very exciting day. Thank you, Deputy Mayor Su and thank you, Mayor Mamdani, for your vision to make New York more affordable for every New Yorker. That is the heart of our groceries vision plan: "NYC Groceries: A Recipe for Affordability." And there's no better place to release this plan than here at Campaign Against Hunger in Brooklyn, a place that demonstrates every day what it means to invest in communities and ensure families can access and afford healthy foods. And I want to thank Dr. Melony Samuels for hosting us and for all the incredible work she does.
Today, too many New Yorkers are feeling the strain of rising groceries costs. Across all five boroughs, families are stretching every paycheck and making impossible choices at the checkout line. Buying healthy groceries shouldn't mean falling behind on rent, childcare or other essentials. As the mayor outlined, NYC Groceries is a first of its kind municipal program that provides a comprehensive selection of foods that will bring a 30 percent fixed price discount to a core basket of goods, focused on healthy foods and everyday items. This innovative initiative sets a new role for the public sector in addressing food affordability and strengthening neighborhood food access.
This morning, we released an RFP to identify an operator for the NYC Groceries Initiative. We are looking for a best-in-class grocery partner: an operator with the experience, expertise and track record to run successful stores, managed complex supply chains and deliver for working people. The city's role is clear: we set the mission, the standards and the expectations. Our operator partner's role is to bring in the specialized grocery expertise, systems and data tape management needed to make that vision a reality. We want a partner that has the expertise across every part of the business. From recruiting and training staff; managing inventory, procurement and supply chains; to merchandising and delivering consistent, high-quality customer service; creating and maintaining a dignified, pleasant shopping experience. And we want an operator dedicated to job quality and accountability, an operator that ensures workers' rights are respected, provides good-paying jobs and benefits, and safe, reliable working conditions.
Public investment should deliver a public benefit. We are looking for a partner that can meet the city's standards and ensure that savings from this investment go directly to working New Yorkers through lower food prices. I think it is important to note that the operator will not be starting from scratch. The city is providing them foundation and grocery-ready sites as well as covering the rent and property taxes and establishing a single public brand. All five NYC grocery stores will have a similar look and feel. We are setting requirements for affordability, job quality, transparency and performance. We look forward to partnering with an operator who meets and embraces these standards. Addressing New York City's food affordability crisis must be intentional, direct and meaningful; it requires thoughtful planning, operational expertise and a commitment to delivering value every day. In the RFP, we set clear expectations for performance and articulate the affordability, job quality and shopping experience all NYC grocery stores will share. We want an operating partner that has strong market knowledge and experience and shares our commitment to delivering the results and the long-term success of NYC groceries.
We know that there are many excellent grocery operators delivering high-quality services across the five boroughs. This RFP is an opportunity for experienced operators to help shape a new model for grocery access in our city; one that combines the strength of public investment with the expertise and innovation of private operators. We are proud to reach this important operator RFP milestone. I want to thank everyone whose hard work brought us here. I want to especially thank everyone at EDC who has worked tirelessly and thoughtfully to delivering this moment. The RFP and the vision plan is now live. Interested operators can visit - wait for this, it's kind of long and it's a little bit longer than what the mayor said - EDC.NYC/NYC-groceries-operators-RFP. To submit your proposals, we look forward to partnering with an operator that can help turn the city's vision into a reality: delivering affordable, high-quality groceries, creating good family sustaining jobs, and ensuring more New Yorkers can participate in and benefit from our city's continued growth. Thank you.
Question: What would you say to local grocery store owners who say a municipal grocery store will siphon business from them, potentially lead them to raise prices for customers or shut down? And is your administration considering other alternatives such as maybe helping grocery store owner subsidize rents or increase their purchasing power in some way that they can then pass on to the customer?
Mayor Mamdani: So, we've talked about five city-run grocery stores, one in each borough, and thus far we've announced La Marqueta in Manhattan and La Peninsula in the Bronx. And these two sites showcase the example of when you are speaking about a dense neighborhood, there is more than enough market for both existing grocers as well as one city-run grocery store. When we're talking about La Marqueta, we're talking about more than 65,000 New Yorkers who live within 10 minutes of that grocery store site. When we're talking about La Peninsula, we're talking about more than 150,000 New Yorkers who live in the Hunts Point area alone. And what we've seen is that the city already operates subsidized markets, for example, at Essex Street Market. And those are operating near multiple grocers, multiple bodegas and we have not seen harm to local stores or operators.
What we've also seen is that this is not the only approach that we have to dealing with the question of food, food insecurity and also food operators. Just last week, we were proud to announce OPEN, which is not only a more than 50 legislative reforms and regulatory reforms that will lower the cost of keeping a business open and the time that it takes to liaise with City government; but is also a permanent approach for us at City government to cut red tape to ensure bodegas, grocery store owners, a wide variety of small businesses across New York City can continue to flourish. Because we see this as a city that is big enough for more than the thousand existing grocery stores that we currently have and five city-run grocery stores, one in each borough.
Question: I have an off topic, but I'll hold that until the appropriate time. It sounds like what you're essentially offering these purveyors of grocery services is you cover the property tax, you build out the building, you cover any sort of recurring rent, but they have to bring in the food, discounted a certain amount, high quality of wages. I mean these are millions of dollars effectively shuffling back and forth. So, I'm wondering why not just spend these millions of dollars and give to agencies like the Campaign Against Hunger or City Harvest or, you know, just direct established food programs.
Mayor Mamdani: We see in this city an opportunity to take an all-of-the-above-approach. We are going to continue to work with incredible partners like the ones that we're here with today, as well as ensure that food pantries across the five boroughs can flourish. And what we have seen is that far too often when it comes to City government's approach to delivering on affordability for groceries, there have been - there's always been the question of intermediaries, whatever it may be. And we are excited to deliver directly to New Yorkers that lower cost of essential goods. We're talking about a 30 percent discount across essential goods that will be the same at every single one of those five city-run grocery stores. And what we are also talking about is city-run grocery stores, which will not be selling cigarettes, or alcohol, or lottery tickets or hot foods - those are a lot of the [items] that drive revenue for a lot of existing grocers, existing bodegas. This is an approach that looks to address the question of affordability and food access without also harming the ability for other entities to continue to exist.
Question: Mr. Mayor, I know that you talked about the fact that the grocery stores are not gonna sell lottery tickets and cigarettes. Do you think that the income from those things in bodegas will offset the possibility of a loss of business? Because the bodega owners are really worried that they're going to be hurt. And so, is your argument that the other things that they are able to sell will offset that loss?
Mayor Mamdani: My argument is multifaceted. The first thing I would say is that this is a model that builds off of what we already see in existence with Essex Street Market. And with that approach, there is a discounted approach that has not yielded any kind of a negative impact on bodegas or grocery stores around it. And we know that because if it had been, it would be something that we'd be talking about. And yet, what it has been is instead accepted as a fabric of life in that neighborhood. The second is that we are not looking to compete with bodegas or grocery stores when it comes to their ability to survive. What we're looking to do is to provide affordability that is guaranteed to New Yorkers. And we know that a lot of what drives revenue for these bodegas [and] grocery stores, those are things that make it possible for them to continue to operate. Those are not things we have any interest in competing for.
The last point that I would say is the absence of affordability in this city has pushed so many working-class New Yorkers out of the city. And those are working-class New Yorkers that could be customers for these bodegas, that could be customers for grocery stores across the five boroughs. And instead, we've seen an exodus. And we also know that, where we are in New York City, it's important to acknowledge that the affordability crisis has affected every New Yorker. However, that effect has not been evenly borne. Two-hundred thousand Black New Yorkers have been pushed out of this city in the last few decades. And that's effectively a reverse great migration. And that's something that we have to bring to an end with every single tool at our disposal.
Question: Question about the essential basket of goods - You said they're going to be 30 percent cheaper than they would be at the grocery store down the street, or even if there's one not down the streets, if it's a food desert. How are you going to keep people from taking advantage of that deal, basically, and is there going be a limit on the number of items that someone can take that are discounted at that level from that essential basket?
Mayor Mamdani: So, our RFP makes very clear that this is a program for New Yorkers to be able to put food on the table, not a program for people to be able to make a quick buck through reselling. I'm going pass it over to our EDC head, Jeanny Pak, to add some additional details.
Interim President Pak: Yes, if you look at our RFP for the operator, we are looking to make sure that we target New Yorkers, whether it be [through] a sort of a library card-esque [system], and also, we manage who's buying and that it's focused on everyday New Yorkers. So, we are mindful of that, and we're going to make sure that we have all the things in place to ensure that that does not happen.
Question: And one more question for you. I know that you mentioned at a board meeting that La Marqueta was supposed to be potentially a draw for people from other neighborhoods to come and visit that market, that the City-run grocery stores would be a novelty or at least something that people were excited to go to from other neighborhoods. Do you see that being the model for all five markets across the city? I mean, we came here today to East New York and there wasn't an announcement of a new location here. Could you see the type of thing happening?
Interim President Pak: Yeah, I think to enhance what the mayor had just said, we are looking for these NYC grocery stores to enhance neighborhoods so that businesses there like the local bodegas and independent grocery stores and other small businesses in that neighborhood are strengthened through this NYC grocery initiative. So yes, we're envisioning that as part of the NYC Grocery Initiative to strengthen neighborhoods.
Question: I'd like to get your reaction to the shooting that killed the 12-year-old in the Bronx. And for example, you know earlier this year the commissioner separated the Bronx into two police precincts precisely to curtail this kind of violence. So please, your reaction: Does more need to be done?
Mayor Mamdani: There's always more to be done. We can never accept that a 12-year-old boy sitting on his bicycle outside of a bodega could be killed in our city. And my heart breaks for the family of Jacob Freytes. We are speaking of a young man who should have been able to do what every New Yorker should be able to, which is just live their life in the summer in the city. And I was only a few blocks away from where he was killed just yesterday at the Bronx Dominican Day Parade. And even at a day that so many look forward to for so much of the year, it hung over that parade because it is an ache in our souls. And I am so appreciative of the work of our NYPD of having gotten more than 2,000 guns off of the streets in these first seven months and in the fact that they have already apprehended William Ferrer for the murder of Jacob and for the shooting of two others. And yet we also know that we can never say that enough has been done when we are seeing our children being killed on our streets.
Question: Today is the deadline for the expiration of TPS for Haitians and Syrians. I wonder what the city is doing to help those populations here. And are you on alert for ICE-related enforcement actions?
Mayor Mamdani: We know that Haitian New Yorkers, Syrian New Yorkers, they are a part of the fabric of this city. And we also know that while a judge stayed that decision until today, that it still has left so many living in a state of permanent insecurity and anxiety. And we are speaking about New Yorks who have been a part the lifeblood of the city, have helped to make this city what it is. And our administration is not going to allow these communities to be terrorized on their own. We are going to be standing up for these communities, and we have instructed our Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs to continue to connect families to free and confidential legal help. That is something that is going to continue, as is the fact that our City services are going be accessible no matter what the person calling status is. And at the federal level, we also know that Congress does have the power to give these families permanent protection, whether they be Syrian New Yorkers or Haitian New Yorkers. And it should use it now before more parents are separated from their children. And it is something that I am very much adding my voice to the call for Congress to take this action to do.
Question: A number of people who are survivors of 9/11 are calling on you not to go to 9/11 memorial services. I wonder how you feel about the fact that they're trying to keep you away.
Mayor Mamdani: I will proudly honor the families, the survivors, the first responders forever impacted by that horrific terror attack by standing alongside them at this year's 9/11 commemoration, reaffirming that we will never forget the solemn day felt by all of us who call this city home and, frankly, by all of us who call this country home.
Question: I was just wondering if you could also respond to Prime Minister Netanyahu's comments on Fox. I don't know if you saw them 24 hours ago or so, saying that you, in fact, were fomenting hate. It was brought up in the context of the Upper West Side attack that is suspected to be a hate crime. I'm wondering what you make of his comments. And if you have spoken to any federal officials, including President Trump, about your call to accept the ICC and arrest him.
Mayor Mamdani: So, I'm not interested in getting into a back and forth with Prime Minister Netanyahu. What I will say is that here in New York City, one of my top priorities is keeping Jewish New Yorkers safe - keeping every single New Yorker safe. And we know that while Jewish New Yorkers comprise a minority of all New Yorks, they comprise the majority of the victims of all hate crimes, and it is unacceptable. And I am thankful, as we have seen over the past few days, that the Asian New York and the Jewish New Yorker who were stabbed are in stable condition I continue to wish them a full and a speedy recovery and I'm also thankful to the NYPD for having acted quickly and swiftly to apprehend Raul Morales, who has now been charged as you said with not only attempted murder but also a hate crime, and I look forward to him being prosecuted to the full extent of the law, because as we know here in this city, we have no tolerance for hatred. We have not tolerance for bigotry. And I also want to make one thing clear, which is that we have to not only do the work in response to these kinds of crimes, but also to prevent these kinds of crimes. And that's why our administration made a decision to increase funding for the Office of Hate Crime Prevention by more than 800 percent earlier this year so we can start to do the work of rooting out antisemitism and bigotry of any kind from across the five boroughs.
Question: [Inaudible] followed up on your call to accept the ICC and make the arrest?
Mayor Mamdani: I've made my thoughts clear. I'll keep the conversation to the president between him and myself
Question: So, I wanted to ask you, going back to the 12-year-old that was shot in the Bronx, our reporter was able to speak to the family of Jacob earlier today and they said that you were at the Dominican Day parade yesterday, but you didn't spend any time at the scene or visiting the family. I wanted to get your response to that criticism. And also, have you spoken to Trump directly about TPS for Haitians and Syrians?
Mayor Mamdani: So, I will just echo what I shared earlier: I'll keep the conversations between the president and myself, between the president and myself. However, on the first question, our administration has been in touch with the family. I've also reached out to the family, and the family is going through something that no New Yorker should have to go through, and that is the kind of heartbreak of having to bury their son. And we are looking for every which way that we can be there for them in this time and also looking to ensure that there are no additional New Yorkers who ever have to experience a heartbreak like this. Again, we're speaking about a 12-year-old boy who was on his bicycle outside of a bodega and lost his life as a result of that, through no fault of his own. And I've also seen some commentary trying to blame Jacob for his presence outside of that bodega, and I think that is frankly unacceptable and it's distracting from the fact that gun violence is to blame for this, not a 12-year-old boy.
Question: Two questions on the sheriff. One, why did it take so long for your administration to fire Miranda? And then two, are there any city employees who were served subpoenas or had their homes visited by feds last week on the same day when the feds visited Miranda?
Mayor Mamdani: So, I will get back to you on your second question. What I will say to the first question is, one of the things that we understand within our administration is the critical importance of the position of the sheriff and finding someone who embodies the integrity that that position has to hold. And earlier I was being asked about Haitian New Yorkers. I'm incredibly excited that after this, I will be going to the inauguration of our new sheriff, who will also be the first Haitian American to serve in a position of leadership in law enforcement here in New York City.
Question: Going back to the topic earlier when it comes to prime minister of Israel, I understand that you're making it clear that you are criticizing a particular politician, not the ethnic group, but there have been growing concerns amongst elected officials, some of your allies, such as the Attorney General Letitia James, about the fact that comments and rhetoric may be rising temperatures. Do you take those concerns to heart and what is your plan to bring down those temperatures?
Mayor Mamdani: So, I think, to your point, when I make criticisms of Prime Minister Netanyahu, they are criticisms of Prime Minister Netanyahu. And what I shared were not even frankly personal assessments, they were objective facts. And my responsibility as a New Yorker and as a mayor of this city is a responsibility to take care of each and every person who calls the city their home. And that is not based upon whether or not they agree with me, how they feel about me. My job is to make sure that they are safe, that they're thriving and [that] they continue to call this city home. That's always going to be my North Star on how we can do that because this is an incredible city and it's a city where everyone needs to know that they're belonging to it is not conditional on how they feel about the mayor.
Question: And is there a reason that you told the New York Times that you were still in active conversation with the Legal Department in regards to possibly following up on that arrest warrant when you were previously told that that necessarily couldn't happen.
Mayor Mamdani: I've said that all I have to say on that topic. Thanks everyone.
