Yes, We Have No Bananas: More Fruit Stands for Brooklyn
The city wants Brooklyn to eat its veggies, and it’s pushing legislation that would result in 500 permits for fruit and vegetable carts in Kings County over the next two years. Operation Green Cart is aimed at neighborhoods (mostly low-income) where Health Department surveys show more than 10 percent of adults aren’t eating fruits or…
The city wants Brooklyn to eat its veggies, and it’s pushing legislation that would result in 500 permits for fruit and vegetable carts in Kings County over the next two years. Operation Green Cart is aimed at neighborhoods (mostly low-income) where Health Department surveys show more than 10 percent of adults aren’t eating fruits or vegetables on a daily basis. For example, one city study found that Bedford Stuyvesant and Bushwick have low supplies of fresh produce and low-fat milk. “Access to healthy foods varies widely throughout New York City, and in many lower-income neighborhoods, supermarkets are few and far between. There is demand for fruits and vegetables in these neighborhoods, and this regulatory change will enable the market to meet that demand,” said Mayor Bloomberg. “The Green Cart legislation will also provide opportunities for vendors to make a living selling fresh fruits and vegetables in communities where healthy food can be difficult to find.” Sound like a plan?
City Program Brings Produce to Outer Boroughs [Crain’s]
NYC Proposes More Fruit, Vegetable Carts [AP]
Press Release [nyc.gov]
Photo by cameron.
I can’t wait to get my green card. This is an excellent program for our neighborhood.
10:28 She’s a milf.
10:32
It has nothing to do with Brownstones but everything to do with the folks who live in them!!!
A ClintonHillLady
Organic Schmorganic, they’re overrated.
I go through the pile of fruits and veggies and look for the good ones, then wash them very well before cooking/eating. Hardly buy bottled water, but I do when necessary. NYC filtered tap water is excellent. It’s healthier and cheaper.
Will be a beautiful mix of the urban and the rural. Colorful fruits and veggies will line up the streets, and more carts means more competition. Not to sound pollyanish, but maybe more affordable prices and more jobs for other people, too.
What has this got to do with brownstones?
This is 9:48 again. In response to 10:24, I am most decidedly *not* an all-organic or fancypants grocer snob. (In fact, aside from the farmers market, I happily do most of my grocery shopping at Key Food.) And if you’ve found good quality produce at your local fruit stand, that’s great–I hope that’s the case more widely, although it mostly hasn’t been my experience. I guess I’m just saying it’s *awfully* hard to change the eating habits and tastes of people who aren’t already eating fresh fruits and vegs. (I know, I live with one of them.) I’m not sure that making the produce more accessible is enough–something’s got to make it more appealing as well…
Who’s the hot mamma in the blue dress!?!?!?!?
BRAVO! I have often fantasized about a ‘Fruit Shack’ chain of fast-food outlets that would bring easy-to-eat chopped fruit salads, smoothies, dried fruit mixes, etc. to every inner-city neighborhood. (Research shows that people are very discouraged by having to peel an orange or even eat an apple out of hand, sigh.) This would be a start. Can’t count the number of times I’ve grabbed a 50-cent “lunch” of a nice ripe banana from one of those carts in Manhattan, or even a head of broccoli to take home on the train to go with dinner.