| Releases
& Statements
 **FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**
October 29, 2009
Contact: Matt Mittenthal
212.669.4691; 917.597.4485
Gotbaum Statement on Costco's Decision to Accept Food Stamps Nationwide
MANHATTAN--Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum said, "I was so pleased to have been informed that Costco, the big-box retailer, has decided to accept Food Stamps at all its stores nationwide, given its positive experience in New York City.
"Earlier this year, I was among those who strongly urged Costco to accept Food Stamps at its new store in Manhattan, which is scheduled to open in November in East Harlem. After initial resistance, Costco agreed. It also announced that it would accept Food Stamps at its Brooklyn and Queens stores. Nothing was said about the Costco in Staten Island, so I personally wrote Costco's CEO and asked whether Costco also would accept Food Stamps in that borough as well. After my inquiry, Costco said that it would.
"According to The Associated Press, Costco doubted that many New York customers would use Food Stamps. Instead, it saw a strong and favorable response. Costco, which operates more than 400 stores in the United States, expects to accept Food Stamps in about half its stores by Thanksgiving. Given these tough economic times, Costco's action is indeed commendable."
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