ATTENTION: Green Carts Application Process Open Until 10/15/09!

Anyone interested in operating one of New York City’s Green Carts can apply now! The Green Cart waiting list is now open through October 15. To help potential Green Cart vendors succeed, the NYC Health Department is hosting information sessions for anyone interested in operating a Green Cart during the following dates:

When: Thursday, 8/20; or Wednesday, 9/2
Time: 6PM-8PM
Location: 304 Hudson Street, 2nd Floor, NYC
How: Please call 646-943-1433 or email greencart@karpresources.com to reserve a seat at one of the sessions.
Llama al 646-943-1433 para apuntarse en la lista. Se habla espaňol.

Additional information about Green Carts, license and permit application instructions, frequently asked questions and resources for Green Cart vendors are available online at www.nyc.gov/greencarts or call 311.

Note: All Green Cart waiting list applications must be postmarked no later than October 15, 2009.

More on Green Carts:

What is a Green Cart?
A Green Cart is a mobile food cart that offers fresh produce in certain NYC areas. Green Carts can only sell fresh fruits and vegetables and can only operate in designated areas. To operate a Green Cart you need a valid mobile food vending license and a Green Cart permit.

What kinds of produce can a Green Cart sell?
A Green Cart can only sell raw fruits and vegetables such as whole carrots, bananas, apples and berries. Frozen or processed produce is not allowed. For food safety reasons, Green Cart operators cannot sell cut, sliced, peeled or processed fruits or vegetables. Green Cart vendors can receive free help with buying and selling fruits and vegetables. To receive free help, please call the Karp Resources Green Cart hotline at (646)943-1433.

Where can a Green Cart operate?
Each Green Cart permit allows a cart to operate in one NYC borough ONLY. Within each borough, Green Carts can operate only in certain designated areas. Go to www.nyc.gov/greencart for list of designated areas.

How many Green Cart permits are available?
A total of 500 full-term permits were made available in 2008: 175 permits for Brooklyn, 175 for the Bronx, 75 for Manhattan, 50 for Queens, and 25 for Staten Island. This year, 500 more Green Cart permits are available.

What do I need to operate a Green Cart?
You need BOTH a license and a permit to operate a Green Cart. The license is for the person and the permit is for the cart. The license is the same license you need to operate any mobile food cart. If you do not have a license, you need to get one before you can apply for a permit.

How can I get a mobile food vending license?
• Call 311 and ask for “Mobile Food Vendor License Application”.
• You must first attend a 2-day Food Protection Course for Mobile Vendors at the Health Department.
• You must register for the course in person at the Citywide Licensing Center at 42 Broadway, 5th floor, in Manhattan. The fee for this course is $56.00.
• Obtain a Certificate of Authority to Collect Sales Tax from the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance.
• After you complete the course and obtain your tax certificate, apply for a license in person at the Licensing Center.

How Can I Apply for a Green Cart Permit?
Once you have a license, the next step is to apply to be on the Green Cart permit waiting lists. All individuals who have a valid mobile food vending license are invited to apply to be on the waiting lists (see Question 5 if you do not have a license). If you have a valid license and are already on a mobile food vending waiting list you can still apply and will get priority.

How can I get an application to be on the Green Cart waiting lists?
Beginning in August 2009, there are three ways to get a Green Cart Waiting List Application:
• Go to the Citywide Licensing Center (42 Broadway, 5th floor, in Manhattan)
• Call 311 and ask for “Green Cart Waiting List Application”.
• Visit nyc.gov/greencarts and go to “Information about how to apply”.

What is the deadline to mail the waiting list application?
Your application must be postmarked no later than October 15, 2009. You can only apply by mail.

For additional information, visit www.nyc.gov/greencarts or call 311.