Just when I thought it was safe to venture to Red Hook for a Pupusa, looks like the DOH might disband the latin food vendors before the end of the season. According to The Porkchop Express:
Due to forces of nature (rains, floods, transit delays) Cesar Fuentes was on his own meeting with big guns from both the Department of Health and the Parks Department. Long story short, the Food Vendors of Red Hook Park have about 10 days to “be compliant” with the DOH's “major concerns.” By Sunday August 19th they must:
store more ice in coolers
acquire portable hand washers/sanitation units
wear sterile gloves and change said gloves regularly
have a source of running water to wash hands, tacos, etc.
rent commercial grade kitchens to prep food, or prepare everything on-site
Most significantly, The Powers That Be want everyone who works at a stand to be licensed. Anyone associated with a tent – from corn shuckers to pupusa stuffers – must undergo a training session to obtain a mobile food vending license. At present, only 12 tent operators are licensed; this number will (must) more than quadruple.
C'mon! This is getting ridiculous. The ball field vendors were just featured on a Travel Channel Bizarre Foods special about New York, for goodness sake! I think it's time they got some sort of special culinary cultural icon status from the city. Mayor Bloomberg, please help!!!