Food Truck Sanitation and Freedom Questioned
General opinion seems to be that this past weekend’s
Hopscotch Music Festival
was an overwhelming success. The only complaint I have seen centered around the lack of food trucks in downtown Raleigh’s walkable streets. Such eateries have become the hottest restaurant trend in America, but are not allowed in downtown Raleigh.
Nations Restaurant News today has an article reviewing the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health’s call to evaluate food trucks in the same way brick-and-mortar restaurants are evaluated. While the trucks are popular, there are serious health concerns associated with this model. I’ve asked friends if they know exactly in which bathtub that salsa was made, and it isn’t an esoteric question. The bacteria don’t care what delivery method is used, and they will aggregate in any condition right for them. This includes the perfectly legal restaurant-prepared sandwiches that sit in thermal coolers for longer than 2 hours at sporting events and concerts.
A second issue with the sanitation grade problem is ‘”fairness”. Why should brick and mortar restaurants to have to comply to government regulations that mobile competition can ignore? A slightly different bent on the fairness issue is also the focus of in an excellent article today by Carolina Journal’s Sarah Barrows. She interviewed Raleigh City Councilor Mary Ann Baldwin and asked why food trucks are not allowed downtown. The primary guiding principle for the ban has nothing to do with sanitation, but rather protectionism for brick-and-mortar restaurants. There are even regulations (outlined in the article) for pushcarts that are designed to protect restaurants.
Another article today , by the the John Locke Foundation, questions the government’s role in barring the entrepreneurial spirit of these mobile restaurants. It even cites agreement by Wellspring Grocery founder Lex Alexander. His intention is to revive an empty lot where a movie theater once sat by bringing in a collection of food trucks. The Chapel Hill Town Council, holding a similar stance to Raleigh, won’t allow such an ad hoc food court.
Food trucks have unlocked an apparent gap in the consumer market. Their flexibility and variety make them a huge draw, so much so that they have become a threat to the traditional restaurant model. A consumer can go to a big box store and eat a variety of foods now, and the vendors can adjust their schedules to the kinetic demands of the market. However government regulations so not seem to comply with the demands and needs of the consumer, and should be reviewed as the market for new food options evolves.
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September 15th, 2010 at 11:13 am
We’ve been thinking about moving towards a truck model in addition to our normal services but have run into the issues that Raleigh has with these vehicles. I agree they should be subjected to vigorous health inspection (just as a brick and mortar) but with limited health inspectors and overwhelmed inspection schedule, i’m not sure they can handle more tasks.
As trend-forecasters, we see the need for these food trucks not only because of mobility but because of the high-level of food our youth is beginning to demand as well as the format in which is is served. It better be quick, easy, AND quality product.
I hope Raleigh will open itself up more to this concept so that more small businesses can flourish in our great business climate.
September 15th, 2010 at 1:02 pm
I did not know that Raleigh barred food trucks from operating downtown. I suspect that rule/ordinance will be challenged sooner rather than later.
September 15th, 2010 at 1:34 pm
Just wondering – anyone know when they were banned from downtown Raleigh? I recall Joe’s Skyy Dogs very fondly but haven’t seen him in a few years.
September 15th, 2010 at 5:06 pm
The Law and Safety committee of the city council is meeting later this month to review the rules governing street vendors downtown.
I think that the protectionism and safety are important issues to be weighed, but last week at Hopscotch, I would’ve loved for there to be some trucks downtown. A lot of the (really good!) eateries downtown work best for a sit-down-and-eat meal. But when you’re grabbing food on the go, they’re not the greatest.
It seems like it might be good to – at a minimum – allow trucks in for special cases – events at Moore Square, the outdoor concert at Lincoln Theater this weekend, etc.
September 16th, 2010 at 12:03 am
It would also be nice for those with the entrepreneurial spirit to actually invest in downtown be the people that make the money from being there. Having festivals downtown is a wonderful way for those of us that own businesses there to make money. We pay extra taxes for the Downtown Ambassadors, as well. It irritates the piss out of me when the festivals sell beer and cut me out of my hoped for profit, but that is the price to get people downtown watching shows.
To allow food trucks to come in and cherrypick the festivals is an awful idea. Let them buy a yearly license and pay to help clean up the area, and then they might have an argument on their hands.
September 16th, 2010 at 7:20 pm
Why are the Sbarrett hotdog stands allowed, but food trucks banned?
September 16th, 2010 at 11:11 pm
Sean, Sarah’s article explains it better than I can.
http://www.carolinajournal.com/exclusives/display_exclusive.html?id=6852
October 9th, 2010 at 7:58 pm
There is a husband and wife team serving Italian Sausage Subs, Philly Cheesesteaks (with real Cheddar) Pulled pork subs and real GRILLED Coney Island Hot Dogs! Ate there this week 2x with my friends and are so impressed! Finally a legit food truck ( Health inspection certif, Tax certif. in window) at the mobil station near brentwood on capital blvd. Only drawback, they are there only tues to friday or we would be there every day!!!
October 9th, 2010 at 8:03 pm
Tried them after getting fuel, Nice couple! Great Phiily cheesesteak!! Finally a place for us on the run!! Go Giavanna’s!!!
October 23rd, 2010 at 8:40 pm
JEM is right, stopped by on my way to the fair Friday. Clean, Health inspection, Raleigh Business License on hand so I tried with the family. Ordered a sausage sub, cheesesteak and a double hot dog sub all the way. Well all I can say is INCREDIBLE!! We will be regulars! The fair is only 1x a year but this food vendor is here to stay! Great service, great food! Giavannas is a dream come true! Finally Raleigh gets it! Food trucks for the fast paced City!! Long Live Giavanna Italian Sausage Sub Truck!
November 2nd, 2010 at 2:10 pm
Good god….once again, Raleigh City Council is behind the times with their fuddy duddy thinking…worrying about design and aesthetics? Are those hot dog carts suddenly sculptural and I missed it?
And fairness to brick and mortar restaurants? Anyone “in the know” realizes that mobile trucks use social media to bring more people to an area, not steal customers from other establishments. It benefits everyone in the area. Perhaps Raleigh doesn’t have any business owners willing to take a chance on bringing more people downtown and increasing their sales?
I think the salsa in the bathtub remark was uncalled for. As a legitimate restaurant professional of 20 years, who is dying to have a food truck in Raleigh, I think people are smart enough to figure out when a food establishment is clean and professionally run and when one isn’t. Allowing these trucks and requiring them to be licensed, permitted and inspected is actually a way to prevent exactly what some fear.
November 6th, 2010 at 9:47 pm
To Lattegato
I agree \! your last line was perfect. I frequent the Italian Sausage and Peppers / Philly Cheese steak truck (trailer) at the Mobil Station on Capital Bl. just over the beltline. Giavanna has all the Health permits, Raleigh Business License AND Tax Revenue Certificates. So why shouldnt they be able to go downtown? They use gloves at all times, the area is open for all to view inside and they are spotless. Oh and the food is GREAT!! they deserve an opportunity downtown. And we could use a break from the high end eateries for lunch. And Im tired of chick fil _.