WATCH: First Free Grocery Store Opens In Mamdani’s New York City to Highly Predictable Results
A pop-up store offering. free groceries opened up in New York City on Sunday. Credit: Fox News screenshot
New Yorkers got a firsthand look at a free grocery initiative this week, months after electing Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
According to Fox News, a pop-up shop called The Polymarket opened Sunday in the West Village for a five-day run, offering free groceries to low-income residents and anyone looking for a free meal. The initiative coincides with one of Mayor Mamdani’s campaign promises: city-supported grocery stores aimed at lowering food costs.
The Polymarket, run by the cryptocurrency-based prediction market of the same name, gave yellow tickets to residents to enter the small store.
As expected, lines grew quickly, with residents from all five boroughs showing up for free items. The store soon ran out of tickets and food, while some shoppers reportedly cut in line.
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Fox News reported that shoppers saw the event as a learning experience for the city, noting concerns with crowd control, food shortages, and security.
“I literally got here at 9:00 … and basically what they said is that they ran out of tickets,” Fatima told Fox News Digital. Sherrod from Jamaica, Queens, reported the same issue: “They told me that they ran out of tickets. I couldn’t get any more food… I couldn’t get access to the store.”
Other residents also commented on the lack of security and organization. Michael, who watched the event unfold from outside, told Fox News Digital, “Security needs to work on their presentation, dealing with customers properly because they don’t have the customer service expertise.” Michael added that he only had three cups of soup left at home and wasn’t confident there would be enough groceries by the time he could shop.
Despite the challenges, some residents, like Sumayah, said more free grocery shops are “very much needed” in New York City.
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