The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets says that vendors at open-air stands must sell only pre-wrapped cheese, rather than cutting off a chunk from a wheel of cheddar or gouda.
The assistant director of New York City's Greenmarket says the state announced the change last winter. She said the state is reinterpreting a rule that was already on the books.
Cheese vendors who sell at city farmer's markets say the no-slicing rule is hurting their business.
Most are trying to comply by wrapping their cheese in plastic, but they say the plastic affects the quality of the cheese.
