Citizens Push for Legalizing Street Vending in L.A.

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Right now in Los Angeles, CA, it’s illegal to sell goods, food or otherwise, on sidewalks and parkways in L.A., but street vendors still do it anyways. The rarely enforced law is an ineffective and unsafe system that ignores the opportunity to foster a vibrant street culture, argues an editorial in the L.A. Times.

Two Los Angeles councilmen and a handful of citizens are hoping to make street vending legal, opening up opportunity for new jobs and a new way to access healthy foods. Many of the goods sold are fruits and vegetables.

City Councilmen Jose Huizar and Curren Price introduced a motion calling for a study of how L.A. can legalize vending on sidewalks, and a research began that ended in a report on street vending in L.A. and possible solutions.

On May 13, 2014, the report was reviewed by the City’s economic development committee, and many invested citizens turned out for the hearing.

Vendors, many of which are Latino and serve large Latino communities, have the potential to bring fruits and vegetables to folks who might choose other snack options, like fast food.

Check out the Los Angeles Street Vendor Campaign to see how you can get involved.

Read more in the L.A. Times editorial here. 

Read what some concerned high school students had to say about street vending in L.A.