BP MARKOWITZ STATEMENT ON COSTCO ACCEPTING FOOD STAMPS AT BROOKLYN, QUEENS AND EAST HARLEM STORES

“In Brooklyn and New York City, with health issues like obesity and diabetes skyrocketing—especially in children—we know that access to healthy, affordable food is a major priority. Among other efforts, my office has been working to provide incentives to landlords and developers to bring supermarkets with healthy food into underserved areas of Brooklyn.

We are also working to make sure that not only is the stigma removed from food stamp program enrollment, but that all our food retailers accept EBT cards. This is why I commend Costco for launching a program to accept EBT cards at its stores in Brooklyn, Queens and its new addition in East Harlem next year—and ensure that families who make use of the EBT program are being served equally by their stores. This just goes to show that ‘food justice’ and successful business strategy can be natural partners. Bravo Costco!”

——Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz