Zohran Mamdani’s proposal to fund city-run grocery stores is under fire after claims he would redirect $140 million in public subsidies were found to be inaccurate.
Democratic socialist and mayoral front-runner Zohran Mamdani has drawn criticism for proposing to fund government-run grocery stores using $140 million he claimed were city subsidies.
However, records show the amount represents private investment by grocers under the “City Fresh” program over 12 years—not public funds. Only $30 million in tax breaks were provided to those businesses during that time. Mamdani, who recently won the Democratic primary, did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Tuesday.