The Apple Pushers

The Apple Pushers, written and directed by Mary Mazzio, narrated by Edward Norton, and underwritten by the Laurie M. Tisch Illumination Fund, tells the stories of five immigrant streetcart vendors who each have one dream:  to find success in America.  To realize that dream, each has chosen to be a part of a unique urban experiment to roll fresh fruits and vegetables into New York City’s food deserts - places where finding a ripe, red apple presents a serious challenge and where obesity and diabetes rates are skyrocketing.  This experiment – the Green Cart Initiative – offers not only economic opportunity to these vendors, but also presents a creative strategy in the fight against the obesity epidemic found in so many of America’s cities. 

The film follows five protagonists who come to America in search of a better life - for themselves and for their families.  Each overcomes extraordinary challenges to get to this country, including a near death experience crossing the border from Mexico.

This project, produced by Mazzio along with Tom Scott and Christine Vachon, and executive produced by Laurie Tisch, sits at the intersection of the food desert/obesity crisis, immigration and entry level-entrepreneurship.

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