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Dear New Yorkers,

A revised commissary contract the Adams administration said would protect Rikers Island detainees and their families from excessive charges has instead had the opposite effect: it’s locked in many prices that are substantially higher than those at local stores, a survey by THE CITY has found.

In 2023, THE CITY exposed the Keefe Group, the Miami-based commissary vendor, of charging up to 50% more than local grocery stores for goods like cups of Cheerios or a package of pasta and sauce.

Under the revised $33 million contract, which the Department of Correction touted as including protections against inflated charges, Keefe still charged more — sometimes twice as much more — for nine of 16 items at every local store THE CITY surveyed.

For example, family members who use a Keefe service to buy a cup of Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal for someone at Rikers would pay $3.79. At the two Trade Fair and Food Bazaar supermarkets THE CITY sampled in neighborhoods near the bridge to Rikers, the same item costs $1.59.

“In prisons and jails where there’s literally a captive market you can charge whatever you want and use whatever excuse you want,” said Bianca Tylek, the executive director of Worth Rises, a nonprofit focused on high fees charged to incarcerated people.

Keefe’s revised contract, like the first, was awarded without competitive bidding.

Read more here about the private company charging huge markups on Rikers commissary food.

Weather ☀️

Warm(ish) again, with a high near 55, and sunny.

MTA 🚇

In Brooklyn, Queens-bound J and M trains skip Hewes Street, Lorimer Street and Flushing Av from 9:45 a.m. to 3 p.m. through Friday. Find all the MTA’s planned changes and the latest delays here.

Alternate side parking 🚙

It’s in effect today, Feb. 26.

By the way…

It’s the last week to enjoy two of the city’s neighborhood restaurant weeks: one in Queens, and one along Myrtle Avenue in Brooklyn.

Our Other Top Stories

City Councilmember Justin Brannan (D-Brooklyn) wants to solve the mystery of how many of Mayor Eric Adams’ hires are funded by agency budget lines — fearing the practice may “exacerbate” hiring challenges at pivotal city agencies. Agencies are allocated a certain number of budget lines for staff, and government insiders told THE CITY that they weren’t happy with the idea of paying for staffers for the mayor’s office. Commonpoint, a growing Queens nonprofit, has taken over operations at the former Madison Boys and Girls Club in Crotona, saving the storied youth facility from closing. Beginning this Thursday, the Bronx Center will be fully open to the public — plus, a renovated pool will open next month, after years out of service. Ballot petitioning for the races for mayor, City Council and other city offices has begun. If you’ve been stopped by a petition-gatherer and notice anything notable — like, for example, former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, or any candidate allying themselves with our besieged Mayor Eric Adams — drop us a line at tips@thecity.nyc.

Things To Do

Here’s what’s going on around the city this week.

Wednesday, Feb. 26: Ever wondered what Seneca Village looked like before it was destroyed to create Central Park? Explore a 3D model and hear from the project’s creators about how they combined archeology, history, and architectural rendering to build a model of what the community, created in 1825 by Black landowners, may have looked like. Virtual meeting, 12 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 26: Calling all urban gardeners: if you’re worried about climate change — and who isn’t? — meet other community gardeners to exchange tips and workshop ways to prepare. Virtual meeting, 6 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 26: An economist and an astrophysicist walk into a bar. And if you want to learn about inflation — whether it’s grocery prices or the inception of the universe — you can join them there! Ryan’s Daughter bar, Manhattan. 7:30 p.m.

THE KICKER: : After over 120 years, the city’s oldest Sicilian restaurant has closed — but could be resurrected under new ownership.

Thanks, as always, for reading. Make it a great Wednesday.

Love,

THE CITY

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