The NYC Food Distribution Alliance represents food and beverage distributors, food banks, wholesalers, restaurants, and small businesses impacted by congestion pricing.
Our mission is simple: ensure that New Yorkers don’t see their food prices go up or access to healthy food go down as a result of NYC Congestion Pricing.
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While we fully understand and support the goals of reducing traffic congestion and improving air quality in Manhattan, the current proposal creates an undue burden on essential food service businesses and fails to recognize that food distribution isn't optional– it's critical infrastructure.
What’s at Stake?
Increased Pressure on Distributors: New York City’s food and beverage distributors are the backbone of the local food supply chain, delivering essential goods to restaurants, grocery stores, schools, and nonprofits on incredibly thin margins. Congestion pricing adds crushing fees—up to $400,000 annually per distributor—making it harder for these businesses to stay afloat while ensuring the city’s food security.
Rising Costs for Restaurants and Retailers: Every restaurant, grocery store and bodega in Manhattan relies on truck deliveries to function—there is no public transit option for moving food. As operational costs rise, these small businesses businesses face tough choices, including cutting back services or raising their prices to survive.
Higher Prices for End Consumers: The cascading impact of congestion pricing means everyday New Yorkers will feel the pinch at checkout counters and on restaurant menus. With inflation and food costs already high, congestion pricing threatens to make meals even more expensive for families.
Fewer Options for the Food Insecure: Nonprofits and food banks working to combat hunger face devastating consequences from rising delivery fees. For every dollar lost to these added costs, fewer meals can reach those who need them most. This policy threatens to increase food insecurity for millions of New Yorkers, especially in vulnerable communities.
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Read the letter from 200+ companies and organizations to New York Governor Kathy Hochul.
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