NYC Grocers Face Snack Price Hikes as Mondelez Retreats from City

Independent stores will have to rely on wholesalers, leading to higher costs for popular brands like Oreos and Ritz crackers.

Feb. 3, 2026 at 5:39pm

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Prices for popular snack brands like Oreos, Triscuits, Chips Ahoy, and Ritz crackers are expected to rise by up to $1 per package at grocery stores across New York City. This is due to Mondelez International, the snack food conglomerate that makes these products, ending direct deliveries to 1,000 independent grocers in the city. The grocers will now have to rely on outside wholesalers, leading to increased costs that will be passed on to consumers.

Why it matters

This move by Mondelez is seen as unfairly favoring larger grocery chains over independent stores, which often serve lower-income communities. The National Supermarket Association argues Mondelez is violating federal fair trade laws by cutting off delivery service to smaller retailers while continuing to service big chains. This could further strain household budgets in New York City, where food prices are already a major concern.

The details

Mondelez, which also makes Clif Bars, Hall's cough drops, and Philadelphia cream cheese, is ending its direct delivery service to 1,000 independent grocers across New York City by the end of February. Grocery executives say this will force them to rely on outside wholesalers, leading to an estimated $1 increase in the price of popular snack items like a $5.99 package of Oreos or Ritz crackers. Chains like Foodtown, Key Food, Bravo, and C-Town will be affected, as will Gristedes stores. Bodegas and the Morton Williams chain will not be impacted since they already use independent distributors.

  • Mondelez will stop direct deliveries to 1,000 independent grocers across New York City by the end of February 2026.
  • In January 2026, Mondelez sent a letter to grocers informing them of the change to a 'new operating model'.

The players

Mondelez International

A multinational snack food conglomerate that makes popular brands like Oreos, Triscuits, Chips Ahoy, and Ritz crackers.

National Supermarket Association

A trade group that represents independent grocery stores in New York City and is advocating against Mondelez's policy change.

Nelson Eusebio

The government relations head for the National Supermarket Association.

Anthony Pena

The president of the National Supermarket Association.

Micah Lasher

A New York State Assembly member who introduced legislation to address grocery pricing fairness.

Cordell Cleare

A New York State Senator who introduced legislation to address grocery pricing fairness.

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What they’re saying

“There is outrage about expensive food and this is going to increase consumers' costs. We have to carry these items in our stores.”

— Nelson Eusebio, Government Relations Head, National Supermarket Association (New York Post)

“Independent grocery stores were established to meet needs of communities that larger retailers have historically neglected.”

— Anthony Pena, President, National Supermarket Association (New York Post)

What’s next

The National Supermarket Association is calling on New York politicians, including Governor Kathy Hochul and Mayor Zohran Mamdani, to intervene and address Mondelez's policy change, which the group argues violates federal fair trade laws.

The takeaway

This situation highlights the challenges facing independent grocers in New York City, who often serve lower-income communities, as they struggle to compete with larger chains. The price hikes on popular snack brands could further strain household budgets in the city, underscoring the need for policies that promote fair competition and protect consumer access to affordable food options.