Mamdani strikes deal with Trump for 90-day reprieve for bodegas that accept SNAP food stamps

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced on Friday that he reached a deal with President Donald Trump to pause for at least 90 days a new federal rule that threatened to push thousands of bodegas and small stores across the country out of the food-stamp program (SNAP).

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) rule, which was set to take effect on November 4, requires stores that accept SNAP to stock at least seven varieties of food in each of four staple categories —dairy, grains, protein, and fruits or vegetables— double the three previously required. Many small businesses, with limited shelf space, could not comply in time and risked losing authorization to accept food stamps.

Mamdani said he negotiated directly with Trump and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins after more than 100 bodega owners in the city came to City Hall. Last week the mayor had asked in a letter for a six-month delay. “Without more time, many of these stores risked losing the ability to accept SNAP — threatening their livelihoods and making it harder for families to put food on the table,” he said, according to Agri-Pulse.

The pause, which applies nationwide, takes effect this Friday. New York City has more than 10,000 bodegas, and 1.6 million residents rely on SNAP. More than 12% of the U.S. population receives this assistance.

Photo: NY Post

Source: NY Post and Agri-Pulse