Polymarket to Open Free Grocery Store in NYC for Four Days

Prediction market company launches experiment to test impact of no-cost food access

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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Polymarket, a prediction market company, is launching a four-day "fully-stocked" free grocery store in Lower Manhattan, New York City. The event, which runs from February 12-16, aims to explore the impact of providing no-cost access to food. Polymarket has paid for the lease, stocked the shelves, and donated $1 million to the Food Bank For New York City to support the initiative.

Why it matters

This experiment raises questions about the role of price signals, incentives, and the unintended consequences of providing free goods in a market economy. Critics argue that removing price tags could lead to chaos, while supporters see it as a way to address food insecurity and inequity.

The details

Polymarket, known for its prediction markets, decided to "dabble in urban anthropology" with this free grocery store experiment. There will be no purchase required and no income verification - people can simply walk in and take what they need. The company says the idea took months of planning, but the initiative has drawn criticism from some, including Darren Mamdani, who argues that this is not a sustainable solution to hunger.

  • The free grocery store will be open from February 12 to February 16, 2026.
  • Polymarket says they have been planning this experiment for months.

The players

Polymarket

A prediction market company that is launching the free grocery store experiment in New York City.

Darren Mamdani

A critic of the free grocery store experiment who argues that it is not a sustainable solution to hunger.

Food Bank For New York City

A nonprofit organization that Polymarket has donated $1 million to in support of the free grocery store initiative.

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What’s next

Polymarket should consider opening a betting market on the outcome of the free grocery store experiment, such as how long the shelves will remain fully stocked.

The takeaway

This free grocery store experiment highlights the tension between providing compassionate aid and maintaining the integrity of market forces. While the initiative aims to address food insecurity, critics argue that removing price signals could lead to unintended consequences and chaos.