PrintWeekend Excursion: Say Goodbye to the Ball Field Vendors
One of the first Weekend Excursions we ever recommended was the opening of the Red Hook ball fields, so it is only fitting that we bring it back for the final weekend of the season. It's been a long and trying summer for the vendors, who were forced to spend tens of thousands of dollars on new trucks in order to comply with the demands of the Department of Health. Couple that with a late a start to the season, and most of the vendors have found themselves saddled with good amount of debt. Help them out by hitting up the ball fields this weekend for one last huarache or pupusa before they hibernate for the winter. Your stomach will thank you for it.
Related:
Red Hook Ballfields: A Quick Guide for the Uninitiated
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3 Comments:
Is it so bad that they meet the "demands" of the Dept of Health? You would like it both ways. Let the vendors cook anyway they want but blame the city if you get sick. Most of the vendors are saddled with a good amount of debt? Welcome to the food industry.
thomassweet at 9:46AM on 10/25/08
And therein lies the problem. When the ball fields first began they had no desire to become part of an "industry". They were members of a small community, filling a need for their community- in the same way a family would. They weren't looking to start large scale businesses. They didn't advertise. They weren't looking to attract the masses in the way a business in the "food industry" would... people just happened to find out about it. But when faced with the prospect of giving up their "community" that they had built and cultivated over years and years, they were forced to adapt. And it's sad, because those changes- which are intended to "improve" things, actually have made the ball fields worse for the consumer, not better.
If the Department of Health had received even a single complaint about somebody geting "sick" (as you say), I would cede your point. But this was not brought about by people demanding safety. It was brought about because of money... and money alone. And it's sad.
Zach Brooks at 10:52AM on 10/25/08
Whether or not they intended to become part of the food industry is moot, they did. I am not trying to be contrary, just realistic. It is naive to think that money doesn't run things. Businesses come and go because they are not profitable. It is the nature of business. And if you sell things, no matter if you advertise or invite people to buy, you are a business. I agree it is sad, but inevitable.
thomassweet at 1:07PM on 10/25/08