New York, NY — New Yorkers are suffering from a crisis. One Brad Pander calls "Halalflation."
As the price of chicken over rice and lamb over rice soars to $10 per plate at food carts across the five boroughs, progressive Democrat and mayoral candidate Brad Pander announced today a bold, original plan to launch a fleet of city-owned halal carts to Make Chicken Over Rice Seven Bucks Again.
"When you're a street vendor, you're not just paying for food and supplies like plates—you're also forced to shell out exorbitant fees for permits, which can range from $17,000 to $22,000," Pander explained after speaking with real, authentic halal cart men. “The shocking part? The actual cost of these permits is only $400. But because the city isn't issuing enough street vending permits, thousands of halal cart operators are left waiting year after year, forced to pay these inflated prices to permit owners who control access to this essential livelihood."
Pander's plan would establish a city-run network of halal carts, dismantle exploitative permit practices, and ensure fair wages for vendors while keeping prices affordable for everyday New Yorkers.
"Some candidates in this race seem to think eight-dollar chicken over rice is just fine," Pander said. "They talk about waving magic wands and promise to ‘work with City Council from day one’ to fix the problem. But let me be clear: I’m not here to make empty promises. I’ve got a detailed, 75-page policy plan that lays out exactly how we’ll get it done—because New Yorkers deserve real solutions, not just talk."
Pander's initiative, dubbed "Halal Justice," aims to address both the economic struggles of street vendors and the rising costs that have made this iconic New York meal unaffordable for many. By taking on the exploitative permit system and creating a city-run network, Pander will restore fairness and accessibility to one of the city's most beloved food traditions.