Wide disparities in prices are causing a stir – as a recently-released survey points out just how much the cost of milk varies from business to business in New York City.
Councilmember Eric Gioia, who chairs the Committee on Oversight and Investigations, released a survey on Sunday, July 5, which found the large discrepancies in the cost of milk within neighborhoods and across the city. Gioia surveyed 60 supermarkets, bodegas, convenience stores and drug stores in all five boroughs.
“Milk is not a luxury, it is a necessity,” Gioia said. “Milk is essential to any healthy diet, especially for children, and it should be affordable for everyone.”
In Queens, there was a significant disparity between the cheapest and most expensive gallons of milk. According to the survey, the most expensive gallon in Queens was found at a Gulf Express in Sunnyside, the price being $4.50. The cheapest gallon was found at a Jackson Heights Met Food, which charged $2.89. Citywide, the largest disparity in prices was found in Manhattan, where both $6 and $2.25 gallons were found.
“I think it’s ridiculous that one store has a certain price for a gallon of milk, and a store down the street has a very different price,” remarked Richard Mosley, a lifelong Elmhurst resident. “It makes me unsure whether or not I’m paying a good price when they differ so much. I feel as a customer that I can’t get a fair shake.”
However, others who noticed the discrepancies weren’t bothered too much by them.
“With so many other things on the rise, the price of milk isn’t something I’m paying close attention to,” said Bayside resident Michelle Edmonds. “That said, I have noticed that the price varies slightly from place to place.”
One year ago, an investigation by Gioia found that 86 percent of supermarkets, delis and bodegas surveyed throughout New York City were potentially overcharging for milk, according to the New York State Department of Agriculture’s (NYSDA) price threshold data. However, the NYSDA no longer lists price threshold statistics, leaving consumers and storeowners vulnerable to exploitation.
Gioia is calling for the NYSDA to reinstate listing the average price of milk to give New Yorkers an approximation of what they should be paying, and allow them to help monitor for price gouging. Additionally, in a letter to the NYSDA, Gioia asked them to step up enforcement, especially in low income neighborhoods where milk prices tend to fluctuate dramatically from block to block.
Gioia also announced he would explore legislation which would mandate that stores post the phone number and web site for New Yorkers to report suspected gouging wherever milk is sold.
If you suspect a store of price gouging milk products, report it to the NYSDA at 518-457-1772.
