Cesar Fuentes

Cesar FuentesExecutive Director
Food Vendors Committee of Red Hook Park Inc.
PO Box 48
NYC, NY 10159

Cesar Fuentes began his association with the Red Hook food vendors in 1998. A child of one of the vendors, he initially worked as a cook assistant in his family’s food stand. In the year 2000, serious concerns raised by compliance-related issues threatened the Red Hook food vendors’ operation, which was at the time without its own internal organizational structure. Cesar’s strong advocacy & personal commitment to address these issues in order to allow the vendor’s work to continue earned him both an overwhelming election by the Red Hook vendors as their representative and an appointment by NYC Parks dept. as the official permit designee and point person for the group.
Having prospered and grown exponentially in popularity over a short time, Cesar sought to organize the group into a more structured organization. In 2006, the Red Hook Food Vendors transitioned from a vendor group to a membership based non-profit organization, adopting a new name, “Food Vendors Committee of Red Hook Park Inc.” for legal purposes. It is important to note that the group’s name “Red Hook Food Vendors” still is and remains the best and most popular way to refer to the vendors.   
At the height of their popularity, 2007 also proved the most difficult year to date for the Red Hook Food Vendors, as sudden changes in NYC Parks permit laws threatening the abrupt end to the season, stricter health dept. regulations enforced upon the vendors, & internal struggles in the group made it almost improbable that the Red Hook food vendors could survive another season. Through strong support from patrons, fans and supporters, assistance from public elected officials, an a very public campaign of awareness through the media, Cesar was able to successfully advocate once again on behalf of the vendors, making a sound case for the continuation of the vendors’ operation until the end of the vending season and maintaining the group together in the process.
In early 2008, Cesar submitted a proposal on behalf of the vendors committee to NYC Parks seeking a permanent operating permit. The proposal won approval the Red Hook Food Vendors were able to secure a full 6 year term of operation.
Cesar is currently serving as the Executive Director acting Chairman of the Food Vendors Committee. His primary responsibilities include the day to day operation of the organization, permit compliance, and representation, advocacy and support of the Red Hook Vendors. Cesar is also a community activist and spokesperson pro street vendors citywide.

Info@Redhookfoodvendors.com
 
Copyright © 2009-2010 Food Vendors Committee of Red Hook Park Inc. Created by Geovanny Carrillo