[ad_1]
Supermarket Owners in the City Protest Against Street Fruit and Vegetable Vendors
City supermarket owners are expressing their outrage at the city’s officials for allowing licensed fruit and vegetable vendors to set up their stands near their stores. They claim that these vendors, who are sometimes situated less than 30 feet away, are directly encroaching on their business – leading to reduced profits.
Case Study: Forest Hills, Queens
In Forest Hill, Queens, there is a vegetable and fruit stand located merely 25 feet away from a Key Food supermarket on the northern side of Queens Boulevard between 71st Avenue and 71st Road.
Nelson Eusebio, who serves as the political director of the National Supermarket Association, is frustrated about the situation: “They are intentionally poaching our customers.” The National Supermarket Association represents over 600 supermarkets, including Key Food, C-Town, Associated, Bravo and several others within the city.
The Competition
The proximity of the fruit and vegetable vendors and the supermarkets is starkly visible in the store window of Key Foods that features pictures of blueberries and asparagus for sale, which the nearby vendor also sells. The city currently has around 500 licensed fruit and vegetable vendors, owned and regulated by the city’s Health Department, all with the intention of providing fresh produce to neighborhoods that are in need.
However, the owners of the various supermarkets argue that as Forest Hills is not an area with a scarcity of healthy fruits and vegetables, the presence of these vendors amounts to unfair competition. They underline the costs they need to cover, including unionized labor, property and utility bills.
The Larger Issue
Expressing his frustration, Eusebio stated: “This is a significant issue for us. We have no issues with the vendors making a living, but setting them up near any store seems too aggressive in terms of competition.”
From a broader perspective, John Catsimatidis, Gristedes owner, pointed out the bigger problem – declining business and rising shoplifting rates. He claimed this is just another sign of New York being unfriendly to businesses. Catsimatidis predicted, “Many drugstores have closed. Perhaps the grocery stores will be next.”
Unaddressed Grievances
Both Eusebio and Catsimatidis expressed disappointment that neither Mayor Eric Adams’ administration nor the City Council have addressed their concerns.
Public Perception
Opinions are split amongst local shoppers regarding the ongoing issue between grocers and vendors. Positive reactions include the following: “Forest Hills is very, very expensive. Key Food has everything, but their prices are high. At the fruit stand, lemons, broccoli, tomatoes, and grapes are cheaper.”
However, some patrons agree with the grocers, stating that having vendors on the same block is indeed unfair competition.
Vendors’ Perspective
The annual cost to operate for fruit and vegetable vendors includes a $200 permit and between $300 to $500 for cart storage. However, some vendors can be seen with their tables out on the sidewalks all day, every day. Matthew Shapiro, legal director of the Food Vendor Project of the Urban Justice Center, sees the presence of fruit stands as competition, but not unfair competition. He argues, “Grocery stores do have lots of expenses, but they also get a lot in return. Vendors get only a fraction. There’s something for everyone – vendors, farmers’ markets, grocery stores.”
Health Department’s Stand
The city’s Health Department defended the food-vendor program, dismissing the complaints of grocers related to location: “It’s important for communities to have a varied mix of supermarkets, bodegas, farmers markets, green carts, and so on. Healthy, affordable food needs to be easily accessible so citizens can make healthier choices,” said a Health Department spokesman.
[ad_2]
