2 weeks Ago
A question posed by a New York transplant is drawing harsh criticism on social media. On March 31, TikToker @wine_by_marielle — who has since deleted her account and declined requests for comment — posted a video in which she asks whether “New York City people” actually buy the fruit from “those stands on the side of the road.” “I have a fruit stand guy on my corner, and we always say hi to each other when I walk past, but I’ve never actually bought anything there from the year that I’ve been in this neighborhood,” she continues, adding that she lives on the Upper East Side.
“I’m just, like, scared of getting sick or something. It doesn’t seem very sanitary, but I see a lot of people going there, so it must be decent. I don’t know, please advise.
” The video quickly went viral, with many folks taking the opportunity to respond her in both serious and sarcastic ways. “If you guys ever wanted to know what a microaggression looks like, it is exactly this video,” TikToker @economyvodka. “There’s a lot going on when someone implies that a fruit stand is not sanitary because it’s on the side of the road, because all those expensive restaurants on the Upper East Side that allow you to sit outdoors for your dinner and your lunch on the side of the road,” she continues.
“I’m sure she wouldn’t ask if it’s sanitary with the hordes of cars and vehicles going by on the street.” “Y’all are so out of touch with New York City and the culture that you would say something so asinine,” another TikTok user in response to the original video. Other folks in the comments why it mattered since it’s in order to eat it safely.
They also pointed out the omission of from the question and that get their produce from these stands. Then the . “I just don’t want to catch a disease by eating these dirty, dirty fruits,” @lifewithlulz in hers.
“I usually get my fruit from a fruit market with, like, a nice white lady.” The original video made it off TikTok and onto Instagram, where some users pointed out that fruit stands have been a . Others that cart-selling is part of many cultures’ New York City beginnings.
In the early 20th century, immigrants of , , heritage peddled their wares on the streets — and many later became well-loved brick-and-mortar establishments, like , which started when Joel Russ sold “schmaltz herring out of a barrel” on the Lower East Side. TikToker @catherinefromtiktok she buys corn kernels directly from farmers and has to pick out grasshoppers and other insects from them, because it’s in the fields. “As a Midwest girl, I am confused where some of you who live in cities think that the food in your restaurants and grocery stores comes from,” she says.
“’Cause it’s the ground and the ground has, like, dirt and bugs.” One commenter on this video disagreed with this sentiment. “To be fair, I get the concern,” wrote.
“There’s nature dirty and then there’s NYC outdoor dirty. One of those feels like it never really washes away and it ain’t the nature one.” “You can dine at an outside table at many places in NY.
it’s not valid concern, it’s ignorance,” Catherine . New York City’s Health Department Green Carts like corner stands, carts and trucks sell fresh fruits and vegetables and other healthy foods in neighborhoods that have historically lacked access to fresh produce. Carina Kaufman-Gutierrez, deputy director of the , a member-led organization fighting for just working conditions for street vendors in New York, says that several city agencies keep tabs on the produce sold from Green Carts including the Department of Health, the Department of Sanitation, the NYPD, the Parks Department, each of who have the authority to to street vendors.
“Street vending is one of the most highly regulated industries with incredible amounts of enforcement that take place,” she tells TODAY.com. “It actually speaks to the amount of over-policing that happens to vendors who are often treated because of sentiments like what this woman is sharing.
” According to the , there are more than 23,000 street vendors in New York, many of whom sell produce to the masses. In response to the original video, TikTokers have taken the opportunity to . “I will forever love NYC fruit stands,” one TikToker , showing off her haul of snap peas, bananas, spring onion, strawberries, cherry tomatoes and onions she got for $13.
50 total. “Whole Foods could never.” And, if you find yourself regularly walking by a street vendor, Kaufman-Gutierrez has a little advice.
“Get to know your local street vendor, number one, that is your neighbor,” she says, adding that even if you speak different languages, online translation services like Google Translate can lead to enriching conversation. “Really, it’s about building community and building with your neighbors. There’s no excuse not to do that if you call New York City your home.
” Joseph Lamour is the food reporter at TODAY.com and is based in Washington D.C.
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