How congestion pricing willseverely hurt NYCs food supply chain from bodegas to food banks

As representatives of the Food Bank For NYC, the NYC Hospitality Alliance, and Baldor Specialty Foods, we represent critical parts of the city’s food supply chain — a network that serves millions of New Yorkers every day, whether they’re ordering a meal at a local restaurant, buying groceries at a local supermarket or bodega or relying on food relief.While we understand and support the city’s goals of reducing traffic congestion, improving air quality,y and funding public transportation, we are deeply concerned that the congestion pricing policy, set to take effect on Jan.5, 2025, places an undue burden on essential food distributors, restaurants and hunger relief organizations.We’re already operating in one of the most logistically complex and expensive cities in the world to deliver and serve food.

Now, with the added burden of congestion pricing, these costs are only getting heavier.That’s why we are calling for an exemption for local food and beverage distributors before this policy is implemented. Food distribution should be treated as an essential service.New York City’s renowned food culture relies heavily on its local food distribution network.Restaurants, grocery stores, hospitals, schools, and food pantries across Manhattan depend on truck deliveries to stay in business and meet the needs of their customers.

The food sector cannot rely on public transportation to deliver essential goods — whether it’s fresh produce, meat, fish, or dairy, and whether it comes from the Hunts Point markets in The Bronx, from the numerous local wholesalers and producers in the other boroughs or from a food relief organization.The current congestion pricing plan fails to recognize this basic reality.New York-based businesses already contribute significantly to the city’s transportation infrastructure through the Metropolitan Commuter Transportation Mobility Tax (MCTMT).

Yet, the new congestion pricing policy would impose an additional tax on local food...