The Food Vendors
by Sofia

Why are there so many food vendors in America? On January 12, 2016 the fourth graders from LREI came to learn why food vendors decide to have that job. They took the subway to 40 Rector Street and went to the Urban Justice Center. Sean Basinski used to be a food vendor and he decided to help other food vendors for a living by becoming a lawyer.

Sean Basinski brought in one of the food vendors Alfonso Candia into the office where the fourth grade class was working. “Alfonso Candia only speaks Spanish. Do any of you speak Spanish?” said Sean Basinski. One of the students named Sofia raised her hand and teacher Jacob told Sofia to translate for the class. Alfonso sells ice cream and during the winter he sells churros.

Sean showed the fourth graders a small food cart. Then Sean and some other students and the rest behind them turned a corner. Sean was handing out some protesting sheets that some food vendors had used during a protest at City Hall. The sign that Sofia was holding was in Spanish and it said, “no mas tickets.” Two 4th grade students, Ella and Sofia started chanting “No mas tickets, No mas tickets.” This means “No more tickets.” The street vendors say that they are very upset that they have to pay $25,000 for their license.

After lunch, the class split into two groups. One of the group’s first went to a food cart named Veronica’s Kitchen. Veronica is the one who owns the truck. “Meet Veronica” said the tour guide.

“Would you like to try some jerk chicken – it’s spicy,” said Veronica sweetly. Almost everyone lined up to try it. “This chicken is so good,” said Tess Taetle, a student.

Being a food cart vendor is a common job that could sell good food. It was a treat for some fourth graders to go on this field trip and eat food that was not just their lunch. Maybe they will want to do it again?

Street Food In The Financial District!
By Alfredo

On January 12, 2016, Deborah and Jacob’s fourth grade went on a field trip to the Financial District. They left LREI, their school, at 9:05 am. They took the one train from Houston to Rector Street and went to the Urban Justice Center. A man named Sean Basiniski was their tour guide around the building, Sean is also a Lawyer. When they were there a street vendor named Alfonso Candia was there because he needed to get a street vendor license which is required to sell food.

Sean introduced them to Alfonso, and the class tried talking to him but it didn’t work so well because he spoke Spanish as a second language. Alfonso’s first language is Mixteco. One student, Sofia, could understand Alfonso’s spanish so they learned about him and street vending with her help. After interviewing Alfonso, they had lunch and were refreshed.

After lunch they went around the Financial District, and went to street vendors and their carts or trucks. They went in two groups. The first street vendor cart was called Adel’s #1 Halal. Adel’s #1 Halal is a Halal place, and the owners are from Egypt. One of the owner’s name was Tito. They got a peek at the kitchen and it was so small! After that they went to a place called Veronica’s Kitchen. They got some spicy chicken as a free sample and most of them LOVED it so much! Then they met the owner Veronica who also made the food, she was very nice. Veronica is from Trinidad. This is something she said, “It’s important you learn now so you don’t end up like me,” said Veronica.

After that they went to a food truck called Jiannetto’s Pizza. The fourth graders got a free sample of some pizza. Almost everyone LOVED it! The guy who worked there’s name is Jake. The owner of the food truck is from Italy. After that they went to a food cart called Halal Gyro Express. The owner is from somewhere in India. They met up with the other group and went back to LREI together.

The trip was from 9:05 to 1:55 so they were gone for a long time but it was worth it for most of them. Overall I think one of the best parts for most of the students was the free samples.