24 July, 2013
Adelaide's mobile food vendors sign up for new guidelines
The city’s streets, parks and squares will once again come alive with a summer smorgasbord as Adelaide’s mobile food vendors flock to join City of Adelaide’s food truck program.
Around 38 mobile food vendors have joined the program following calls for applications earlier this year. They will operate under new guidelines that were developed in consultation with the mobile food vendors, local businesses and the general public.
The mobile food vending pilot program began in 2011 as part of Splash Adelaide, a partnership with City of Adelaide and the State Government that aims to bring our city streets and laneways to life both day and night. The mobile food vending program will now operate independently of Splash.
Lord Mayor Stephen Yarwood said that the food van movement has continued to grow in popularity since it was first trialled throughout the city.
“The program is about fostering different and exciting food experiences on city streets, testing options, and brightening up underused spaces, squares, Park Lands and laneways,” Stephen said.
“The Splash Adelaide pilot enabled us to figure out what works and is right for Adelaide and from that, we developed guidelines and a permit system. These will provide mobile food vendors with a professional operating system while balancing the needs of city businesses.”
Nineteen of the vendors who took part in the trial applied for and received permits and there will also be nineteen new food vans out and about.
Regular favourites including La Cantina, Sneaky Pickle, Phat Buddha Rolls, Burger Theory, Chimichurri Grill, Veggie Velo and Little Seeds Organic Coffee will continue to feed the hungry hordes. New to city streets will be America’s Top Dog, Fuel Truck, Squidinc, The Little Cake Tin, Street Food Sicily, and Archie the Pastizzi Bus among others.
Low and Slow is one of the newer vans around town, selling American-style barbeque that owner Angus Kiley said is “like nothing Australians have ever tasted before”.
“The food van program is a brilliant opportunity for young guys like me to give the food business a try, enjoy the benefits of being mobile, and it’s such a groovy thing for the city,” Angus said.
Not all mobile food vendors will trade at the same time, with some vendors preferring weekend only trade, some weekdays, while some trade only in the evening, morning or during lunch.
The guidelines require operators to set up at least 25 metres away from a fixed food business and to notify adjacent businesses of their proposed location
The summer permits come into place on the 31 August and will continue until 1 March 2014.
A dedicated App that will enable people to find out where the food vans are, their operating times and the food on offer will be up and running later in the year.
To find out more, please go to http://www.cityofadelaide.com.au/services/permits-licenses/activating-adelaide-splash-adelaide/street-food-in-the-city/