In a slow, steady stream, water from a Poland Spring bottle is poured into the rustling plastic black bag. Inside, sits a 75 cent green apple that is partially submerged in water. After tying the bag and shaking it repeatedly, Anu Mohammed hands back the apple to the waiting customer with a smile. On 23rd Street, between Park and 3rd Avenue, passing pedestrians can sometimes witness Mohammed washing fruits for customers who want to eat their fruits immediately. A fixture of the block for ten years, his fruit cart has gradually acquired hundreds of loyal customers.
In the bustling, fast paced city of New York, people are always on the move. For New Yorkers, rushing down streets and sprinting up subway steps are a way of life. “People always need to be somewhere in New York, whether it’s work, school, or anything else, so having a fruit cart here is really convenient for them,” said Mohammed. “Instead of going to a supermarket, people can just buy them here instead.”
Fruit carts, and in general, all street vendors, whether they are Halal or breakfast carts, offer customers convenience and low prices. With fruit carts, customers who want to simply buy a bag of grapes no longer need to go through the hassle of waiting on long lines at the supermarket. “Sometimes, all I want is a pear or two, so at this fruit cart, I just grab, pay, and go, instead of waiting on line to pay for one tiny thing that costs less than a dollar,” said Penelope Chang, a 28 year old employee at Credit Suisse. Since Chang was hired two years ago, buying pears, her favorite fruit, from Mohammed’s fruit cart has become a part of her daily morning routine.
As the sole breadwinner for a household of five, Mohammad starts off his weekdays at 5:30 A.M, when his wife, his two older sons, and his youngest daughter are still in deep, restful sleep. After commuting to the city via the train, Mohammed walks over to the entrance of a large garage, where he and several others must replenish their carts daily with fresh fruits that their boss supplies. From there, they separate, with carts in hand, each ready to start their day’s work. While business is slow during the early morning, by 11:30 A.M, the pace quickens. “From then on and up to 4 o’clock, I don’t have any time to sit down and take a break,” said the fruit seller. “It’s because it’s lunchtime, so a lot of people always wants to eat a healthy fruit after a big meal.”
The market determines the prices of fruits sold at Mohammed’s cart. Mohammed explained, “Usually, my boss gives us a bill to tell us how much each fruit costs, and we set it at a price that will give us a reasonable profit.” Pears, oranges, apples, and tangerines, for example, which are in season during the winter, are within the price range of 50 to 75 cents each. “They’re really cheap at fruit carts so that’s why I like buying them here instead,” said Andy Caputo, as he handed a dollar to Mohammed for three tangerines.
By 5:30 P.M, when Mohammed closes shop, he is able to sell most, if not all, his fruits. For him, this is the “happiest moment” of his day, and not because he’s successfully sold off his fruits. For Mohammed, devoted father and husband, it’s time to go home and join his family.