Mamdani’s NYC-owned grocery stores won’t sell alcohol, cigarettes — and must focus on ‘healthy eating’: docs

Nanny Mamdani?

Mayor Zohran Mamandi wants his city-owned grocery stores to focus on healthy eating — and ban the sale of booze and tobacco, new documents show.

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Nutritious food — not salty or sugary snacks — will be emphasized at the five promised municipal supermarkets, according to a 44-page “request for proposal” issued by the New York City Economic Development Corporation.

Sale of beer and other alcohol, along with cigarettes and nicotine products, will be forbidden, states the RFP inviting potential vendors to submit competitive contract bids for the multi-million dollar project.

“Operator(s) shall work with NYCEDC to develop a plan to reduce and/or eliminate the marketing of unhealthy products on end cap displays or check-out aisles as much as feasible, and to promote healthy eating throughout the store(s),” it said.

This approach is reminiscent of former Mayor Mike Bloomberg, who banned trans fats and smoking in public places but failed in his quest to outlaw large or “Big Gulp” fountain drinks in convenience stores.

The RFP also reveals that the city is planning a massive branding campaign, likely featuring a logo identifying the food products and stores, akin to the Health Department’s marketing of “NYC Condoms.”

“NYCEDC will develop a unified and consistent brand for all five (5) grocery stores in partnership with a third party consultant, and will own all intellectual property associated with that brand; the Operator(s) will operate under the brand and adhere to all branding standards established by NYCEDC,” the proposal said.

As for the bidding process, Mamandi’s team prefers a reputable grocer to operate all five stores.

There will be substantial subsidies, costing taxpayers at least $70 million.

The city will pay capital costs to construct and retrofit the five grocery locations, though bidders can offer their own sites.

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Unlike independent grocers, the city-selected operator(s) will be exempt from paying property taxes and rent.

“You could take off 20% of every purchase in the store without paying taxes or rent,” noted John Catsimatidis, owner of the Gristedes supermarket chain.

The city will also offer subsidies to keep the cost of food staples at its stores roughly 30% below retail prices, via “affordability payments” to its grocers to cover “operating deficits …. to the extent that they cannot be compensated for through covered rent and property tax payments alone,” the proposal said.

While focusing on freshness, the stores won’t have butchers or deli counters for on-site food prep.

The core basket eligible for discounts includes a variety of pre-cut produce and food staples offered include chicken salad, egg salad, fruit salad, potato salad, and bean salad.

Refrigerated items include deli meats, yogurt, cheese, milk, eggs and tofu.

Shelf staple items include pasta, pasta sauce, bread, cereal, tuna, soup, cooking oil, nuts, rice, flour and beans.

The stores will be open to all, regardless of income, and will not require ID, City Hall has said.

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