CHAMBER CHAT
By Kim Smythe
CEO Nanaimo Chamber of Commerce
By
now everyone is very familiar with the phenomenon that started in many cities
about a decade ago where food is sold and served curbside from a truck or
trailer with a kitchen on board.
What
started as hot dog carts in the park has grown to include a wide variety of
foods served from mobile locations – sometimes ethnic, often featuring local or
organic ingredients, usually served in paper wrap or trays, and somehow best
enjoyed while you’re hanging out on a street corner.
Hours
of television programming are devoted to ‘street eats’ and, in most cities,
thousands of people daily dine at one of these colourful and creative
‘restaurants on wheels’. Victoria and Vancouver are great examples, but even
Courtenay, Duncan and Parksville are now developing a food truck culture.
But
not so much in Nanaimo! A couple of food trucks made appearances in recent years
and struggled to survive regulatory approval, appropriate operating terms and
spaces, and… customers in the locations the city would permit. Most,
unfortunately, failed under the weight of bureaucracy. Now, the Vancouver Island
Food Truck Association, a loose knit group of operators, are trying to break
through in some smaller communities that have been a challenge, ours
included.
A
few enthusiastic entrepreneurs are proposing a new approach to the city through
the Chamber. It’s well known from experience that food trucks and carts do not
pose an unfair advantage over restaurant operators. Food trucks act as an
attraction and a destination unto themselves.
When
gathered together, they present a roving ‘food festival’. When used to provide
food at community events, in festivals and in parks, they are a lively addition
to the festivities replacing the tired, old approach to concession stands where
a city would operate, or license, a permanent structure to churn out the same
old, same old dogs and fries or plastic wrapped pre-made sandwiches.
Long overdue...Please proceed with making this a reality!!
ReplyDeleteSherry Mauro