Boston may soon explore an unconventional solution to rising food prices: city-run grocery stores.
Local officials say government involvement might be necessary to help residents who are struggling to afford basic groceries, as inflation and federal benefit cuts make food insecurity worse across Massachusetts.
Boston City Council President Ruthzee Louijeune and Councilor Liz Breadon have requested a public hearing to discuss the idea of government-owned grocery stores.
Louijeune told Boston 25 News, “The role of government is to step in when the market is failing our residents. The idea of government-sponsored government-subsidized grocers is not a novel idea.”
The councilors emphasized that their proposal was not inspired by New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, who has been campaigning for a similar initiative.
Instead, Louijeune pointed to existing examples in Madison, Wisconsin, and Atlanta, Georgia, where local governments have supported grocery access through public or subsidized programs.
Breadon said the urgency stems partly from recent federal policy changes.
“There’s a certain level of urgency because of a federal policy that’s cutting SNAP benefits,” she said. “Those of us who don’t have any food insecurity sometimes forget the struggles that ordinary working families may have.”
Food Insecurity on the Rise
The push for public groceries comes amid worsening food insecurity across Massachusetts.
According to the Greater Boston Food Bank, about 37% of Massachusetts households have faced food insecurity this year, nearly double the 19% reported in 2019.
Supporters of the idea say city-run grocery stores could help stabilize prices and ensure access to healthy food in underserved neighborhoods.
Louijeune and Breadon argue that when private markets fail to meet basic needs, local government has a responsibility to fill the gap.
Critics Warn of Unintended Consequences
Not everyone supports the idea. Some industry experts warn that taxpayer-funded grocery stores could hurt small, family-owned shops that already struggle to stay afloat.
Peter Brennan, executive director of the New England Convenience Store and Energy Marketers Association, told Boston 25 News that city-funded stores would be “a job killer in our communities.”
“Our mom and pop stores operate on very thin profit margins as it is,” Brennan said.
“They are constantly facing rising costs, stricter regulations, and relentless economic pressure. The City of Boston should be doing more to support these small businesses that create jobs, support our communities, and provide healthy meals, goods and services to our neighborhoods. Supporting small businesses by cutting taxes and fees and creating programs to help businesses become self-sustaining is a much better use of tax dollars.”
New York Comparison Draws Attention
Boston’s exploration comes as New York City Democratic socialist mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani campaigns on a proposal to build five publicly funded grocery stores that would be rent- and tax-exempt.
His plan has sparked intense debate over whether governments should operate stores in a free market economy.
Critics, including Ryan Bourne of the libertarian-leaning Cato Institute, argue that government-run stores lack competition and efficiency.
Bourne told Fox Business, “Government-run entities have no market discipline — no need to earn profits, compete, or serve customers efficiently. That leads to bloated costs, empty shelves, and zero accountability.”
What Happens Next
Several other Boston city councilors have signed onto the hearing request, which has been sent to the committee for review.
A hearing could be scheduled before the end of the year. For now, the proposal remains in the discussion stage, but it reflects growing concern among Boston leaders about the cost of living.
As Breadon put it, the city cannot ignore families struggling to afford food.
Whether the plan results in a new public grocery system or sparks other forms of intervention, one thing is clear: Boston’s leaders are acknowledging that for many residents, the market is not working as it should.