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www.desitalk.com – that’s all you need to know 4 CITY VIEWS July 18, 2025 Analysis: City-Run Supermarkets Aren’t New. But No One’s Tried Them In A City Like New York F or decades, the American playbook for bringing groceries to under- served neighborhoods has been simple: offer tax breaks to super- market chains and hope they sign up. But as food costs climb and public trust in private solutions falters, a supermarket model with government at the center is moving from fringe idea to policy experi- ment. Nowhere is the potential impact greater than in NewYork City, where Democratic mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani wants to test a city-run grocery store in each of the five boroughs at a projected cost of $60 million. But NewYork isn’t the only place where alternative models are emerging. Atlanta is set to open two grocery stores later this year through a public-private alliance backed by an $8 million grant and operated in partnership with regional chain Savi Provisions. The stores are slated for so-called food deserts, where availabil- ity of fresh, affordable food is scarce. City officials chose a public-private model not just for long-term sustainabil- ity but because the existing development incentives didn’t encourage the private sector to step up, according to Laurie Prickett, a senior vice president at Invest Atlanta, the city’s economic development arm. If successful, Atlanta plans to expand its model, aiming to place every resident within a half-mile of fresh food by 2030, she said. Government-supported grocery mod- els aren’t a new idea. They’ve taken the form of nonprofits, co-ops, military-base commissaries, public-private partner- ships, and municipally owned and oper- ated stores – with varying results. Boston’s Daily Table, a nonprofit gro- cery chain launched by a former Trader Joe’s president, announced its closing in May after a decade of trying to sustain its mission of providing affordable food. While its funding came from a variety of sources, federal cuts to food aid programs catalyzed its demise. In Baldwin, Florida, a town-owned market folded for similar reasons. But in rural St. Paul, Kansas, which had been without a grocery retailer for more than 20 years before a public-private part- nership opened a supermarket in 2008, the local government doubled down on its investment and became the store’s sole owner in 2013. A major difference between the models in other American cities and Mamdani’s proposal is the scale: Baldwin has fewer than 1,300 residents; Atlanta is home to around 520,000, not far behind Boston’s 673,000. NewYork City, meanwhile, has an estimated population of 8.48 million. Also, Mamdani isn’t proposing to have private operators run the stores. The enterprise would be fully owned by the city, which would sell the groceries at cost and source products from neighborhood suppliers where possible. Supporters of Mamdani’s pilot program call it a bold solution for NewYorkers struggling to afford the basics. Critics warn of government overreach and unin- tended consequences, including harm to neighborhood bodega owners. Others question whether NewYork’s bloated bureaucracy is even capable of running grocery stores. Supply chains are complex, operating costs are high and profit margins are thin. Even if city-run stores aim to break even at best, the savings for shoppers might be modest, said Sara John, who leads the Center for Science in the Public Interest’s work on federal policy and the private sector. John doesn’t view city-run grocery stores as a silver bullet but sees potential in a model accountable to consumers, not shareholders. “Prioritizing people over profits could make a difference,” she said, though she emphasized that execution would be challenging. FUNDING THE PILOT Mamdani’s plan comes after grocery costs in the city jumped nearly 9% in 2022 – the highest in 40 years – and climbed again in 2023, while wage growth failed to keep pace, putting basic necessities out of reach for a growing number of residents. The financial strain is turning political; a recent poll found that nearly two-thirds of NewYorkers, including majorities across political lines, support the idea of city-run stores. Funding for Mamdani’s proposed plan By Miquela Thornton Tibetan Associations Of NY, NJ Declare July 6 As ‘14th Dalai Lama Day’ T he Tibetan Associations of NewYork and NewJersey held a two-day celebration mark- ing the 90th birthday of the 14th DalaiLama on July 5 and 6, 2025, with the main event taking place at Phuntsok Deshi Hall onJuly 6, as reported by the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA). The chief guests were Kyabje Kundeling Rinpoche, with Choekhor Rinpoche and Kunga Tashi, the Tibetan Liaison Officer at the Office of Tibet, as special guests. In his keynote address, Kyabje Kundeling Rinpoche paid tribute to the Dalai Lama’s decades of leadership in promoting nonvio- lence, compassion, and global harmony. Choekhor Rinpoche and Kunga Tashi also offered greetings andread the official statement of the Kashag on the occasion, according to the CTA. Among the distinguished guests were former judges, ex-staff of the Central Tibetan Administra- tion, and former officials from the Government of India, as well asrepresentatives of religious institu- tions. Samdup Tsering, President of the Tibetan Association, also addressed the gathering. A historic highlight of the event was the atten- dance of NewYork City Mayor Eric Adams, who joined a Tibetan community celebra- tion for the first time. In his speech, Mayor Adams praised the 14th Dalai Lama’s unwavering commit- ment to global peaceand spiritual values. He declared July 6 as “14th Dalai Lama Day” in NewYork City, a gesture warmly received by the Tibetan community. Additionally, he announced that the city wouldofficially recog- nise the Tibetan Green Book (Chatrel), a voluntary contribution systemsupporting the CTA, affirming the community’s identity and governance in exile, asreported by the CTA. The celebration concluded with colourful per- formances of traditional Tibetan songsand dances, reflecting the rich cultural heritage preserved in exile. Similar celebrations took place across global Ti- betan communities, reflecting deep reverence for the Dalai Lama’s legacy. The 14th Dalai Lama has lived in exile in India since 1959 after fleeing Tibet due to Chinese oc- cupation. His teachings on compassion, peace, and religious freedom continue to inspire millions world- wide, the CTA noted. - ANI PHOTO:X@CTA_TIBETDOTNET)VIA ANI Tibetan Associations of New York declare July 6 as ‘14th Dalai Lama Day’ during 90th birthday celebration. Among the elected officials present were NJ Governor Phil Murphy, and NYC Mayor Eric Adams. PHOTOS:Adam Gray/Bloomberg Mamdani while ordering an iced coffee from a deli after a campaign event in Queens in June. - Continued On Page 5