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Boston officers are reportedly weighing the idea of making government-owned grocery shops to assist residents battling the rising prices of meals.
Metropolis Council President Ruthzee Louijeune and Councilor Liz Breadon have requested a listening to to discover the thought — emphasizing it was not impressed by the same proposal from New York Metropolis Democratic socialist mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, native information outlet Boston 25 Information reported.
“The position of presidency is to step in when the market is failing our residents,” Louijeune instructed Boston 25 Information. “The thought of government-sponsored government-subsidized grocers shouldn’t be a novel thought.”
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Louijeune pointed to examples of comparable grocery initiatives in Madison, Wisconsin, and Atlanta, Georgia, Boston 25 Information reported.
A view of the Boston skyline is pictured right here. (Ron Dahlquist/Design Pics Editorial/Common Photos Group by way of Getty Photos / Getty Photos)
“There’s a sure stage of urgency due to a federal coverage that’s reducing SNAP advantages,” Breadon instructed Boston 25 Information. “These of us who don’t have any meals insecurity generally neglect the struggles that unusual working households could have.”
An estimated 37% of Massachusetts households confronted meals insecurity this yr — almost double the 19% reported in 2019, in keeping with Boston 25 Information, citing a report from the Better Boston Meals Financial institution.
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Nonetheless, one grocery trade skilled argues that city-run shops might damage present companies.
Peter Brennan, government director of the New England Comfort Retailer and Power Entrepreneurs Affiliation, mentioned that utilizing taxpayer funds for city-run grocery shops can be “a job killer in our communities,” in keeping with Boston 25 Information.
FILE PHOTO: Recent greens are seen at a grocery retailer. (iStock / iStock)
“Our mother and pop shops function on very skinny revenue margins as it’s. They’re continuously dealing with rising prices, stricter rules, and relentless financial strain,” Brennan instructed Boston 25 Information. “The Metropolis of Boston must be doing extra to assist these small companies that create jobs, assist our communities, and supply wholesome meals, items and providers to our neighborhoods. Supporting small companies by reducing taxes and costs and creating applications to assist companies change into self-sustaining is a a lot better use of tax {dollars}.”
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A number of different metropolis councilors have additionally reportedly added their names to the listening to order, which has been despatched to committee for consideration. A listening to might happen earlier than the top of the yr, in keeping with Boston 25 Information.
New York mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani attends a information convention on September 17, 2025, in New York Metropolis. (Spencer Platt/Getty Photos / Getty Photos)
Mamdani has championed a community of city-run grocery shops. His proposal would set up 5 publicly funded, rent- and tax-exempt places throughout New York Metropolis, in keeping with Boston 25 Information.
“You don’t decrease grocery payments by having government-run shops,” Ryan Bourne, a high economist on the libertarian leaning Cato Institute suppose tank, instructed Fox Enterprise earlier this yr. “Authorities-run entities don’t have any market self-discipline — no must earn earnings, compete, or serve clients effectively. That results in bloated prices, empty cabinets, and nil accountability.”
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Ruthzee Louijeune, Liz Breadon and Peter Brennan didn’t instantly reply to FOX Enterprise request for remark.
FOX Enterprise’ Amanda Macias contributed to this report.
