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Green Carts

Opportunity to Apply for a Green Cart or Seasonal Permit

The NYC Health Department is releasing permits for mobile food vendors to operate Green Carts and Seasonal food carts and trucks.

Green Cart (Fruits and Vegetables) Permits

This permit allows vending of fresh fruits and vegetables, including prepackaged sliced and cut fruits and vegetables, bottled drinking water, and plain nuts in designated areas.

Seasonal (Temporary) Permits

This permit allows mobile food vending throughout New York City where allowed by existing regulations from April 1 to October 31.

How to Apply

To apply for a Green Cart or Seasonal permit, you need to apply to get on a waiting list first. The waiting list application period will be open from February 7 through April 30. On February 7, the “Green Cart or Seasonal Permit Waiting List Application Form” and instructions for the application form will be available online at nyc.gov/health/mobilefood or by calling 311 and ask to have the form mailed to you.

Waiting List Application Deadline

Waiting list applications must be submitted by email or postmarked by mail by April 30.


Green Cart mobile food vendors provide fresh fruits and vegetables in neighborhoods that otherwise have limited access to fresh produce.

Food vendors with a NYC Health Department fruits and vegetables permit may now offer additional healthy foods. Food carts and trucks can now offer bottled drinking water, plain nuts, and sliced and cut fruits and vegetables. Permitted vendors can operate a cart within one borough in designated areas.

Information for Vendors

Green Cart vendors must have a valid mobile food vending license and a Green Cart permit. Green Cart vendors also have to follow mobile food vending rules.

Costs

There are fees associated with applying for or renewing a mobile food vending license — $50 for a full-term (2-year) license. In addition, a green cart permit costs $75, with a $50 renewal required every two years.

Fees for the license and permit are waived for U.S. veterans who have a New York State Peddler’s Certificate, or their surviving spouses or domestic partners who have the certificate.

Once you are permitted, you must buy your own cart and produce.

More Information