Food Bazaar Supermarket

NYCR-CDE provided $7 million in New Markets Tax Credit financing to help fund the construction of a new supermarket in one of Brooklyn’s designated food deserts.    

The capital assisted the construction of a 51,000 square foot Food Bazaar supermarket in the underserved East New York section of Brooklyn. The supermarket provides access to fresh produce, meats, seafood, and breads and accepts SNAP and WIC benefits.  The project has exceeded expectations, currently employing more than 100 people and providing fresh food to approximately 43,000 people in the surrounding community annually.

Food Bazaar is a family-owned supermarket chain operated by Bogopa Enterprises that specializes in providing a wide selection of international and mainstream groceries, with a focus on serving diverse, multicultural neighborhoods. The company has been instrumental in opening supermarkets in low-income areas in New York City that were previously considered food deserts – underserved neighborhoods where residents lack easy access to affordable, healthy food, particularly fresh produce. These areas can have a high density of convenience stores and bodegas, but few full-service supermarkets. Residents often have to travel long distances to buy groceries, which can be difficult for seniors or those without transportation. Multiple food deserts are present in Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx. 

Much of Food Bazaar’s expansion has been facilitated by New York City’s FRESH (Food Retail Expansion to Support Health) program, which provides tax and zoning incentives for opening supermarkets in underserved communities. The FRESH program has helped Food Bazaar and other retailers to build stores in food deserts, bridging the gap between underserved communities and the fresh food they need.

“Most of our growth was founded on entering lower income, densely populated neighborhoods that were considered food deserts. Governments programs such as New Markets Tax Credits were fundamental to us assessing those opportunities and allowed us to open stores and provide access to the community. We believe the New Markets Tax Credit program is a great benefit to the community by bringing jobs, fresh food, and more services to those that need it the most.”

– Edward Suh, Executive Vice President, Bogopa Enterprises