Whenever I go out to college or my home. Which is close to  2 or 5 trains on 3rd Avenue in the Bronx. As you can see in the photos, there are several street vendors on the corners of the street selling various fruits and vegetables at lower prices than those found in supermarkets. As shown in the photos, the prices vary from $1, $2, $3, etc. Notice that you can see the quality  of the fruit and vegetables. I have purchased many times and talked to them; in the photos, you can see the accurate address of the vendors. Observing this worker, we can see the idea they talk about in class, “We are what we eat,” because some workers don’t receive government assistance, and what they earn is enough to pay for necessities and buy food at a low price. It represents different immigrants of various income levels, races, religions, and cultural values.

 In the article “Protecting Street Vendors is Protecting NYCs Immigration Soul” by David R. Jones talked about politics and immigration related to street vendors and the importance that are in the community that are hard working long hours talk about the “permission” needed to sell food. Also said that, “Street vending is an essential economic engine and a vital means of survival for thousands of New Yorkers. According to the Street Vendor Project, more than 20,000 street vendors operate in NYC, and the vast majority, around 90 percent, are immigrants who speak limited English and face barriers to traditional employment. These workers sell food, art, flowers, clothing, and more, often standing on their feet for 10 to 14 hours a day, simply to make ends meet. Many of them are immigrants from Latin America who have come to our city with the dream of forging a better future for their families.Street vending is not only about individual survival. It’s also about economic impact. The Urban Justice Center estimates that NYC street vendors contribute more than $293 million annually to the city’s economy. Their businesses create jobs, draw foot traffic to struggling retail corridors, and provide affordable, diverse food options to working-class neighborhoods. They are, quite literally, feeding our city in more ways than one.” “…….In today’s climate, with federal threats looming and anti-immigrant rhetoric rising, NYC must go further to protect its street vendors. That means accelerating the pace of permit releases, cutting red tape, and creating pathways to permanent business ownership. It also means shielding vendors from NYPD over-policing and ensuring city agencies treat vendors as small business owners, not criminals.” (by David R. Jones)

 This article is a good example of the struggle the immigrant suffers every day with different weather. They come to work to give the children better opportunities .They spend 10 to 14 hours on their feet just to meet their daily sales targets  that are set for them, internet videos surfaced showing these immigrants being detained by the police; when subjected to violence and mistreatment, some would flee to avoid deportation.

QK:

How can we, as a community, unite to help street vendors? 

Who suffers discrimination and mistreatment in these immigration cases? 

Where are their stalls destroyed and their merchandise confiscated?

citations

Protecting Street Vendors Is Protecting NYC’s Immigrant Soul. (2025, June 19). Cssny.org. https://www.cssny.org/news/entry/protecting-street-vendors-is-protecting-nycs-immigrant-soul

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Food and Society (SOC 325)