NYC Council OKs 1,000 New Permits For Fruit Vendors

NEW YORK -- New York's City Council has passed a bill to issue 1,000
new permits for street vendors to sell fruits and vegetables in
neighborhoods where fresh produce is scarce.

The council voted 37-9 on Wednesday to issue the permits, which will be
distributed among the five boroughs in neighborhoods where at least 15
percent of people surveyed said they had eaten no fruits or vegetables
the previous 24 hours.
Department of Health Commissioner Thomas Frieden said the aim of the
program will be to introduce fresh produce back into neighborhoods
where diabetes and obesity rates have skyrocketed.
Permits for the new carts will be phased in over two years.