GFI Associate Professor Dr. Uriyoán Colón-Ramos on Zohran Mamdani's proposal for city-run grocery stores in New York City (The Washington Post)

While Mamdani’s plan envisions selling at wholesale prices, those may still not be affordable. Getting a below-market deal on a wholesale price is an enduring struggle for independent grocers, which is one reason their prices are higher than those of their national-chain rivals. A city-owned store would face the same challenge, said GFI afilliate faculty member Uriyoán Colón-Ramos. She is also the associate professor and director of the Diet Disparities Lab at George Washington University.