On Monday, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani held a public address where he provided details on the city-owned grocery stores his administration is opening in the near future, which will feature goods discounted by as much as 30%.
During the address, the mayor was asked about how he will limit people from abusing the program and taking more from the stores than they actually require.
“So our RFP makes very clear that this is a program for New Yorkers to be able to put food on the table, not a program for people to be able to make a quick buck through reselling,” Mamdani responded. “I’m going to pass it over to our EDC head, Jeanny Pak, to add some additional details.”
“Yes, if you look at our RFP for the operator, we are looking to make sure that we target New Yorkers,” Pak said, “whether it be a sort of a library card-esque thing, and also we manage who’s buying, and that is focused on everyday New Yorkers. So we are mindful of that, and so we’re going to make sure that we have all the things in place to make sure that that does not happen.”
As reasonable as the plan seems to be, not everyone is thrilled with it. Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy, one of Mamdani’s staunchest detractors who is considering running against him in a future mayoral race, called out the mayor and his supporters on X.
“So you need a valid ID to shop at Mandami’s government grocery stores to make sure the system isnt taken advantage of,” Portnoy wrote.
So you need a valid ID to shop at Mandami’s government grocery stores to make sure the system isnt taken advantage of
But the same people who love this idea will also scream racism if you say you need a valid ID to vote so the system doesnt get taken advantage of.
Hypocrites…
— Dave Portnoy (@stoolpresidente) August 3, 2026
“But the same people who love this idea will also scream racism if you say you need a valid ID to vote so the system doesnt get taken advantage of. Hypocrites man…Either you should be for no ID for both or ID for both. But if you are split than you are prob a fraud.”
Portnoy has previously made it clear that he feels Mamdani “hates America.” Only time will tell if he decides to actually run against him.
About Qwame Skinner
Qwame Skinner has loved both writing and sports his entire life. In addition to his sports coverage at Comeback Media, Qwame writes novels, and his debut; The First Casualty, an adult fantasy, is out now.