The Brian Lehrer Show SNAP and the Cost of Groceries
Nov 13, 2025
Karen Yi, a reporter focused on homelessness and poverty, and Joe Hong, an investigative data journalist, dive into the complex world of grocery pricing and SNAP benefits. They explore how prices vary across neighborhoods and the hidden factors influencing these costs. A discussion on why shopping local can sometimes be pricier reveals the challenges of low-income areas. Listeners share personal experiences, while insights into the effects of SNAP interruptions on both customers and stores add depth to the conversation about food affordability in New York City.
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Prices Vary Widely Across Neighborhoods
- Grocery prices vary widely across NYC and can differ dramatically between neighborhoods and stores.
- The city's food ecosystem is fractured, secretive, and influenced by many local factors beyond simple supply costs.
Low-Income Areas Aren't Always Cheaper
- A basket of identical items can cost similar amounts in very different neighborhoods, despite vast income differences.
- Low-income areas don't always offer cheaper groceries because store mix and purchasing power shape prices.
Pricing Is More Art Than Science
- Grocers set prices using opaque, variable methods that mix instinct and economics.
- Small stores weigh local affordability, cost, and competition daily when pricing items.