New York City food industry leaders are pleading with Gov. Kathy Hochul for an exemption from the controversial congestion pricing plan, warning that the fees will lead to higher prices for consumers.
A coalition of more than 100 businesses and associations, including restaurateurs, distributors, food banks, and companies such as Bal d'Or Specialty Foods and Acme Smoked Fish, is announcing that starting in January, all businesses entering Manhattan's 60th Street and below will be closed. There are growing concerns about imposing tolls on vehicles. 5.
Celebrity chef Tom Colicchio feared the high toll would hurt the performance of restaurants in congestion charge zones, which are only now beginning to recover from pandemic lockdowns.
“At some point, people will stop going out,” Colicchio, owner of Crafted Hospitality, told Side Dish.
“Everything has become too expensive. No company will absorb this cost, it will just be passed on to the consumer.”
In a Dec. 10 letter to Hochul obtained by Side Dish, many of the Big Apple-based companies said they would like to provide funding to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, which is a beneficiary of the congestion pricing plan. They have already paid separate taxes, the leaders said in a Dec. 10 letter to Hochul.
“New York City's food and beverage vendors are in the difficult position of being doubly penalized because they provide a vital service to the city,” the letter reads.
The association called for a “common sense” exemption for “essential food service vendors” based in the city.
“The current proposal would place an undue burden on the critical food service operators that keep New York City's famous food industry afloat,” the letter said.
“This is a middle-class tax robbery. It makes no sense,” said Richie Romero, a nightclub impresario in the Big Apple. “People can no longer afford to go out because of inflation and other expenses.”
According to members of the coalition, which includes nonprofit organizations Wellness in the Schools, New York Common Pantry and Food Bank for Food, the high cost of food delivery is reducing vulnerable populations' access to fresh food. It said it would mean reduced access and undermine the city's public health goals. New York City.
“People have the option of taking the subway instead of driving, but when it comes to freight, they have no choice but to bring it in by truck,” said Seth Gottlieb, vice president of logistics for Baldor Specialty Foods. .
“While we support efforts to reduce traffic and improve air quality, this solution puts undue pressure on the vital food supply chain into the city.”
Andrew Riggy, executive director of the New York City Hospitality Alliance, expressed similar concerns.
“They resent being forced to pay for the delivery of essential goods, services, and workers who make it impractical to use public transport within the area,” Riggy said.・Told Dish.
The letter from food industry leaders joins a growing backlash against the plan after Mr Hochul reversed course on reintroducing the fees. She had suspended the much-derided toll, originally set at $15, weeks before it went into effect this summer.
Current rates are $9 for cars, $14.40 for light trucks, and $21.60 for large trucks during peak hours from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekends. is to be imposed.
Earlier this month, a group called New Yorkers Against Congestion Pricing Tax argued that Hochul violates the law by ignoring the tax's impact on small businesses, jobs and other socio-economic factors. filed for an injunction.
A public hearing is scheduled for Friday.
