Healthy Food Outside: Farmers' Markets, Taco Trucks, and Sidewalk Fruit Vendors

Journal of Contemporary Health Law and Policy, Vol. 20, No. 20, 2009

Mississippi College School of Law Research Paper No. 2010-02

31 Pages Posted: 26 Jan 2010 Last revised: 30 Apr 2010

See all articles by Alfonso Morales

Alfonso Morales

University of Wisconsin - Madison URPL

Gregg W. Kettles

Formerly with Mississippi College School of Law

Date Written: January 25, 2010

Abstract

This paper explores the many dimensions of street vending and public markets, the multiple intersections vending and markets have with food regulation, and the historical connection markets have with other policy problems. We develop the article in four parts, following the introduction found in section one the article touches on three elements of law and public policy. The second section considers markets and merchants in public goods with their associated dilemmas. Our approach is to reconfigure the emphasis on public space as transportation by justifying the use of the street and sidewalk for street vending. The importance of public space for commerce and other creative activities bridges the second and third sections of the article. The third section chronicles the history of law and regulation around street and public markets. Here we emphasize how cities historically used public markets as public policy tools to address food security, employment, and to help those growing cities accommodate new immigrants. The fourth section focuses on public health by examining the law of outdoor food sold on the street. Through our analysis we set forth numerous suggestions for advocacy, policy, and legal reform.

Keywords: vending, markets, catering, public goods, public space, public health, regulation

JEL Classification: K32

Suggested Citation

Morales, Alfonso and Kettles, Gregg W., Healthy Food Outside: Farmers' Markets, Taco Trucks, and Sidewalk Fruit Vendors (January 25, 2010). Journal of Contemporary Health Law and Policy, Vol. 20, No. 20, 2009, Mississippi College School of Law Research Paper No. 2010-02, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1542359

Alfonso Morales

University of Wisconsin - Madison URPL ( email )

United States

Gregg W. Kettles (Contact Author)

Formerly with Mississippi College School of Law ( email )

151 E Griffith St
Jackson, MS 39201
United States

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