NEW YORK, NY May 27, 2009 —The big box store Costco will start accepting food stamps, on a trial basis, at its two New York City stores in Queens and Brooklyn. It had come under criticism recently from local politicians for being one of the few large food retailers that had refused to accept food stamps.

In a statement, Costco's chief executive, James Sinegal, cited the recession as a reason for the turnaround. He said the store wants to see, "if it can be part of the solution to the financial burden that many people are facing today."

Queens city councilman Eric Gioia, whose district includes a Costco, had been pressuring the store since 2007 to change its food stamp policy. He says today's decision is a "great day" for the more than one million New Yorkers who rely on food stamps.