NEW YORK (Reuters) - New York City will issue 1,000 new permits for mobile fruit and vegetable stands in its latest drive against obesity and unhealthiness among its residents.
The City Council voted on Wednesday to issue the new permits for low-income
neighborhoods, saying a scarcity of fresh produce has led to high rates of obesity and other health problems.
City Council Speaker Christine Quinn said underserved New Yorkers would have better access to fresh produce as early as this spring.
“The communities in our city where obesity and diabetes continues to skyrocket are the same communities that lack even the most basic access to fresh fruits and vegetables,” Quinn said.
The United States’ biggest city has taken the lead on pushing for healthier habits. It banned artery-clogging trans-fats from city restaurants in 2006, outlawed smoking in bars and restaurants in 2003, and will soon force fast-food chains to display calorie counts on their menu boards.
