I genuinely don't understand what people are talking about.
These grocery stores are supposed to be cheaper because they are using tax payer dollars to reduce the costs.
Of course, an unsubsidized store will be unable to match their prices. That's the entire point.
These stores won't be 'cheaper'. They will have lower prices at the register. For lower income people, who pay less in taxes, this will be a net gain for them. For someone who makes more money, they will end up paying more. Because it's funded by taxes. And, indeed, they will be paying for it, even if they don't use it.
It's fine if you think this is a great system. And it's fine if you think it's a bad system.
But it's ridiculous to think regular grocery stores should be able to compete with it
It's like comparing the cost of public elementary school (free to me, but the state spends $20k per kid per year) to a private elementary school that I have to pay $15k for.
Most of the people who are against that types of social programs will happily admit that it works, in the immediate term. The long term implications are bad though (according to them).
They are supermarkets this one sells fresh produce and meat. I pulled this picture from its Google Maps page but I also did this exact walk and saw the aisles myself on my last trip to NYC out of curiosity months back. 12 minutes walk northeast there is a dollar general fresh also selling produce, Food Fair which seemed great I wish I had a place like that near me. C Town markets selling meat and produce. Although that one seemed a little crummy like dirty low quality vibes.
There are more too going as far as a 20 minute walk but any more than that I would consider unreasonable. I gave you the address of where the store will be you can find all this on maps yourself like I did before I went there.
If that’s true, then I say go ahead and make sure to promote it so people understand that! No one with a brain will support what they think is government undercutting mom & pop shops by using tax dollars to drive em out of business... But if they realize it’s filling a gap rather than competing, then it’s a net positive for everyone. Perception matters!
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u/throw7661 Sep 15 '26 edited Sep 15 '26
I genuinely don't understand what people are talking about.
These grocery stores are supposed to be cheaper because they are using tax payer dollars to reduce the costs.
Of course, an unsubsidized store will be unable to match their prices. That's the entire point.
These stores won't be 'cheaper'. They will have lower prices at the register. For lower income people, who pay less in taxes, this will be a net gain for them. For someone who makes more money, they will end up paying more. Because it's funded by taxes. And, indeed, they will be paying for it, even if they don't use it.
It's fine if you think this is a great system. And it's fine if you think it's a bad system.
But it's ridiculous to think regular grocery stores should be able to compete with it
It's like comparing the cost of public elementary school (free to me, but the state spends $20k per kid per year) to a private elementary school that I have to pay $15k for.
Most of the people who are against that types of social programs will happily admit that it works, in the immediate term. The long term implications are bad though (according to them).