Green Carts are mobile food carts that offer fresh produce in certain New York City areas. Local Law 9, signed by Mayor Bloomberg on March 13, 2008, establishes 1,000 permits for Green Carts.

The Green Cart Initiative is supported by a $1.5 Million grant from the Laurie M Tisch Illumination Fund. This grant funds micro-loans and technical assistance for Green Cart operators, as well as branding, marketing, and outreach to encourage residents of the Green Cart areas to purchase fresh produce from the carts.

A Green Cart can only sell raw fruits and vegetables such as whole carrots, bananas, apples and berries. For food safety reasons, Green Cart operators cannot cut, slice, peel or process fruits or vegetables on the cart.

To operate a Green Cart, vendors must have a valid mobile food vending license and a Green Cart permit. Each Green Cart permit allows a cart to operate in one New York City borough only. Within each borough, Green Carts can operate in certain designated areas.

New York City made available 1000 green cart permits: 350 permits for Brooklyn, 350 for the Bronx, 150 for Manhattan, 100 for Queens, and 50 for Staten Island.

We encourage you to participate in this program to improve healthy food options for New Yorkers!

Free Green Carts Workshops!

Are you interested in becoming a Green Cart vendor?

Come to an information session this spring! See the flyer (PDF) for locations and time.

Have you recently received a Green Cart permit application? Or recently applied for a Green Cart permit?

Come to a Free Workshop to Learn:

• how to complete all Green Cart paperwork
• where to buy high-quality well-priced fruits and vegetables
• where to purchase your cart
• how to grow your business

See the schedule for free educational workshops (PDF) that led by Karp Resources. Vendors may contact Karp Resources at (646) 943-1433 for more information.

Frequently Asked Questions (PDF)
Other languages:[Español] [中文] [عربي] [বাংলা] [اردو]

Where Green Carts Are Allowed (PDF) [Español] [中文] [عربي] [বাংলা] [اُردو]

> How to Apply
> Resources for Green Cart Vendors

Healthy Eating Brochures

• Eat Street Smart Brochure (PDF)
• Eating Well in Harlem: How Available Is Healthy Food? (PDF)
• Eating In, Eating Out, Access to Healthy Food in North and Central Brooklyn (PDF)

Green Cart Program Background

The Green Cart Program aims to increase availability of fresh fruit and vegetables in New York City neighborhoods so that more New Yorkers can buy fresh fruit and vegetables close to home. For more information about the Green Carts legislation, the health benefits of eating fruit and vegetables, and studies of healthy food access, see the following publications:

• Amendment to the New York City Health Code (PDF)
• Report to the New York City Council on Green Carts FY2011 (PDF)
• Report to the New York City Council on Green Carts FY2009-2010 (PDF)
• Report to the New York City Council on Green Carts FY2008-2009 (PDF)
• Read the Mayor's press release: Mayor Bloomberg Signs Legislation Establishing 1,000 New "Green Cart" Permits (3/13/08)
• Read the Mayor's press release: Mayor Bloomberg and Speaker Quinn Announce Green Cart Legislation To Improve Access to Fresh Fruits and Vegetables in Neighborhoods with Greatest Need (12/18/07)
• Summary of Proposal (PDF)
  [Español] [中文]
• Proposal Presentation (PDF)
• References (PDF)
• Physical Activity and Nutrition