When Zohran Mamdani sailed to a surprising but decisive victory in New York City’s Democratic mayoral primary last month, he did so propelled by a platform laser-focused on making the country’s largest city more affordable for working people. Among his proposed policies for achieving that vision – which include free childcare and a rent freeze for tenants – is the proposal to create a network of city-owned grocery stores focused on keeping food prices low rather than on making a profit.

“Without having to pay rent or property taxes, they will reduce overhead and pass on savings to shoppers,” Mamdani said on his website. “They will buy and sell at wholesale prices, centralize warehousing and distribution, and partner with local neighborhoods on products and sourcing.”

The proposal seems to be resonating. Two-thirds of New Yorkers polled said they support the creation of municipal grocery stores, according to an April 2025 report published by the Climate & Community Institute and Data for Progress. Another 85% said they were paying more for groceries this year than last, and 91% were concerned about how inflation is affecting food costs. (While inflation is one factor contributing to sticker shock at the cash register, US food companies’ profits have soared as they have continued to raise prices faster than both inflation and wage increases.)