Green Cart Permit

The Green Cart permit allows individuals to operate a food cart for the sale of whole, raw fruits and vegetables, plain nuts and water, and pre-packaged sliced or cut fruits and vegetables, in designated areas of the city. Green Cart operators cannot cut, slice, peel or process fruits or vegetables on the cart. The number of Green Cart permits that may be issued is: 350 for the Bronx and Brooklyn; 150 for Manhattan; 100 for Queens; and 50 for Staten Island.

Before you can apply for any Green Cart permit, you must be on a waiting list. The waiting lists for Manhattan and Queens are closed.

The Bronx, Brooklyn and Staten Island waiting lists are now open. Vendors can apply to join one of those waiting lists at any time.  You can submit the waitlist application online or call 311 to have the form mailed to you. You may not submit more than one waiting list application for a Green Cart permit.

The NYC Health Department will send you a permit application packet once your name has been reached on the waiting list. You will then have 60 days to return the completed application and materials.

If you are already on a waiting list, you may check your position here.

For updated information on the availability of mobile food vending permits, you can visit www.nyc.gov/health/mobilefood.