Mamdani Strikes Deal With Trump for 90-Day Delay on New SNAP Rules
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has struck a deal with Donald Trump that delays new rules for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, by 90 days. The Guardian reported that the extension starts Friday, following conversations Mamdani had with Trump and Brooke Rollins, the U.S. agriculture secretary.
SNAP is the federal food assistance program that helps lower-income households buy groceries. Its rules are set by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the new retailer guidelines it put in place carried a compliance deadline of 4 November. Under the guidelines, stores that accept SNAP must stock at least seven varieties within each of four staple food categories: dairy, grains, protein, and fruits or vegetables. Retailers must also offer perishable items, such as fresh produce and dairy, in three of those categories.
Small shops are at the center of the concern. Bodegas, convenience stores and small grocery stores make up roughly 70% of SNAP retailers, according to the Food Research and Action Center. More than 100 bodega owners contacted Mamdani's office with concerns about the new rule. The New York City Department of City Planning counts more than 10,000 bodegas and corner stores across the city's five boroughs.
Mamdani became the 112th mayor of New York City when he was sworn in on January 1, 2026. Before that, he represented New York State Assembly District 36, which covers the Astoria, Ditmars-Steinway and Astoria Heights neighborhoods in Queens.
The mayor's office has published a release on the agreement, headlined "Mayor Mamdani Wins 90-Day Extension to Protect Small Retailers Nationwide from New Federal Requirements."
