A chaotic scene unfolded in Manhattan's West Village this week as hundreds of New Yorkers swarmed a pop-up "free grocery store" sponsored by betting platform Polymarket. The response highlighted the raw desperation amid soaring food costs—and reigniting scrutiny of Mayor Zohran Mamdani's ambitious proposal for taxpayer-funded, city-operated supermarkets.
The event, meant to simulate Mamdani's vision of government-run groceries, quickly devolved into long lines, shoving matches, and empty shelves. Participants arrived before dawn for limited supplies like ground beef, Tide Pods, and fresh produce, but many left empty-handed.
"We're in pain," one attendee told Fox News, echoing frustrations over inflation that's pushed grocery bills up 25% since 2019. Security guards yelled for crowds to disperse as stocks ran out in hours, with non-English speakers reportedly turned away and homeless individuals scrambling for scraps. Fox News described the scene as "desperate New Yorkers" facing "shortages and chaos."
The pop-up, which Polymarket framed as a "social experiment," was explicitly tied to Mamdani's platform. The democratic socialist, who won a major victory in November, campaigned on creating publicly owned stores in each borough to combat food deserts and high prices. His plan, estimated at $60 million initially, would redirect subsidies from private grocers to city facilities stocked with affordable staples.
"This is about a public option for produce," Mamdani was quoted in a CBS article, arguing it would bypass corporate profiteering and ensure equitable access.
Supporters hail the idea as a bold fix for systemic inequities. Progressive leaders like City Council Member Tiffany Cabán have championed food access and justice initiatives in Queens, aligning with calls for community-centered solutions to hunger and high prices.
Advocacy groups like the Food Bank for New York City have cautiously endorsed exploring public models, pointing to successful community co-ops in other cities as proof that non-profit distribution can lower costs.
But critics across the spectrum warn the plan is unrealistic, inefficient, and likely to exacerbate the problems it aims to solve. “He has a great smile and a great gift of talking but no clue about what the real world is all about,” said John Catsimatidis, billionaire owner of Gristedes supermarkets, in the CNBC report.
Fiscal watchdogs highlight the funding mechanism: Mamdani's proposal relies on raising corporate taxes to 11.5% and adding a 2% wealth tax on millionaires. “It is a false choice,” said Andrew Rein, head of the fiscally moderate Citizens Budget Commission, “because it left out the most important option, which is to reduce spending that doesn't improve people's lives.”
Small business owners fear displacement. Bodega associations, initially skeptical, endorsed Mamdani post-election amid promises of subsidies, but even some progressives question the logistics.
