Peck on NYC public groceries initiative and La Marqueta site

Public groceries.

Mayor Mumdani has been clear, the working people of this city should be able to afford the basic needs and services this city has to offer.

And that includes healthy food and groceries.

Today, as a result of rising costs of rent,

Gas, bills, and food, more and more New Yorkers can't afford everyday healthy groceries.

Making sure working people can buy fresh, affordable groceries is a key part of the mayor's affordability agenda.

March, I shared that EDC was working closely with the administration on the public groceries initiative to increase food access to fresh, healthy food at a price New Yorkers can afford.

That work has continued and intensified and has led to two major announcements to date with concrete milestones toward realizing this vision.

In April, I stood with the mayor in East Harlem as he announced La Marqueta as the first site for NYC groceries.

As one of the city's six public markets operated by EDC, La Marqueta supports more than 20 small businesses and 120 workers, including restaurants, art vendors, and community organizations.

Now as a future Manhattan site for NYC groceries, La Marqueta will further benefit the East Harlem community by offering affordable food to working class New Yorkers.

The 9,000 square foot store will be constructed from the ground up with a significant community outreach and input to ensure it reflects the diversity of diverse cultures of El Barrio and is expected to open in 2029.

And just last Monday, I joined the mayor again, this time in Hunts Point in the Bronx, to announce the second NYC grocery store.