New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced Nov. 13 that his office won a 90-day extension for certain retailers to comply with a new federal rule, following negotiations with the Trump Administration.
The rule, finalized in May, will require SNAP-authorized retailers to meet expanded stocking standards — offering at least seven varieties of food in each of four categories: grain, dairy, proteins and fruits and vegetables. According to the Federal Register, the changes aim to ensure retailers can better serve SNAP participants by offering wider varieties of staple foods.
The USDA, however, did not issue implementation guidance until Sept. 4, leaving the businesses only two months to meet the new requirements.
Without time to comply with the rule, certain stores and bodegas risked losing their ability to accept SNAP benefits. According to the New York City Department of Small Business Services, this would threaten the reliance on programs that contribute between 15 and 30 percent of a typical New York City store’s sales.
According to the Office of the Mayor, more than 100 bodega owners reached out to the city with concerns about the rule.
“When we met with bodega owners at City Hall last month, we heard from them directly about how they wanted to comply with the new federal rule, but that they didn’t have the resources, the guidance, or the time to do so,” said Julie Su, deputy mayor for economic justice.
“We told them we would fight for them and we meant it. Now this extension gives them a welcome reprieve and time to make these changes.”
The rule was required to begin on Nov. 4, but the 90-day extension now gives bodegas and additional small retailers across the country more time to apply.
There are more than 10,000 bodegas and corner stores across the five boroughs that could be affected, according to an analysis by the Department of City Planning. Across the country, bodegas and small grocery and convenience stores make up about 70 percent of SNAP retailers.
The announcement of the extension comes 11 days after Mamdani sent a letter to the USDA on Nov. 2.
"We share USDA's goal of improving the quality and variety of food available to SNAP participants," Mamdani wrote. "But a policy designed to expand access to nutritious food must not inadvertently make that food harder to obtain."
On Nov. 13, Mamdani expressed gratitude at the response to his demands.
“I am grateful that President Trump has agreed to delay beginning enforcement of this rule,” Mamdani said in a press release. “And we will continue fighting to protect our neighborhood businesses and the New Yorkers who depend on them.”
The Office of the Mayor said in a press release that the city will work with the USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service, the New York City Department of Small Business Services and the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene to reach more owners and provide guidance before the new enforcement begins.
