A Desert within a Desert: NYC’s Green Cart Program Fails to Reach Neediest Areas (Brooke Hixson)

NYC’s Green Cart program, designed to increase the availability of fresh produce in disadvantaged neighborhoods, has not been successful in reaching those the most in need. Researchers at Montefiore Medical Center, a Bronx hospital, investigated the Green Cart program, looking at how well the carts were fulfilling their intended purpose of selling fresh produce in areas where fruits and vegetables were otherwise unavailable. They found the carts were unevenly distributed around the Bronx with clusters of carts in some areas and no carts in others.

A woman buys produce at a Bronx Green Cart

The Green Cart program began in 2008 when the NYC City Council approved a measure allowing mobile food carts selling fresh produce to operate in areas with traditionally low consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables (often caused by a lack of supply in local stores). Neighborhoods where fresh produce and other healthy foods are difficult to find are often referred to as “food deserts.” Green Carts were touted by anti-hunger and child-advocacy groups as one solution to food deserts in poorer areas of NYC.

While the NYC Department of Health backed the Green Cart program and administers the permits, they also acknowledged that it was not a comprehensive solution to community health issues such as obesity and diabetes. Dr. Thomas Frieden, then city health commissioner and current CDC Director, expressed measured support, saying, "This is not going to end the obesity epidemic, but it is an important step to increase access to healthy food in the communities that need it most."

Despite fierce opposition from local bodega owners, support from the NYC DOH and a $1.5 million grant to provide microloans to cart vendors has resulted in Green Carts appearing across all five boroughs. However, the Green Carts must follow specific guidelines on where they can sell (only in food deserts determined by the NYC DOH) and what they can sell (only raw unprocessed fruits and vegetables – no peeling, chopping, etc.). Since the program's implementation in 2008, public reaction has been generally positive with some carts operating 24 hours/day, 7 days/week to meet demand.

Researchers looking at Green Carts in the Bronx, however, found the Green Carts tended to cluster in "hotspots" around hospitals, schools, subway stops, libraries, and the Bronx Zoo. As a result, some of the neighborhoods in the greatest need of fresh produce still did not have local access. Thus, even within an area generalized as a food desert, some areas are “drier” than others. Researchers also found a few carts operating outside the legal zone in areas that are not considered food deserts.

Maps of Green Cart Locations in the Bronx

Most disturbingly, researchers found about 10% of the carts were selling sugary drinks and cookies, defeating the entire purpose of the carts. Although selling anything other than fresh produce is expressly forbidden (and results in a $550 fine), there appears to be little oversight on the street.

During this time of skyrocketing obesity and diabetes rates, any effective intervention that reduces the risk of these diseases is important to invest in and to implement correctly. If NYC can work out the kinks in their Green Cart program and get its most at-risk residents to eat more fresh produce, the program is likely to expand to other metropolitan areas across the country. Government officials need to provider stricter oversight of current Green Carts’ inventory. Program coordinators should work with community groups to create local demand in Green Carts deserts and to enlist local residents to become vendors. Green Carts should also be designed to accommodate electronic benefit transfers (i.e., food stamps). Finally, public health officials must continue to work with established community businesses (such as bodegas) to encourage them to supply their communities with affordable fresh produce rather than relying on Green Carts alone to provide much needed nutrition in food deserts.


Brooke Hixson has worked in various aspects public health for almost 10 years. She is currently a doctoral student in Biostatistics at Emory University studying spatial analysis. She enjoys both fresh produce and NYC.


Source: Lucan SC, Maroko A, Shanker R, Jordan WB. Green Carts (Mobile Produce Vendors) in the Bronx-Optimally Positioned to Meet Neighborhood Fruit-and-Vegetable Needs? J Urban Health 2011 Oct;88(5):977-81.