Tag Archive for: #foodtrucks

Vance County Logo

Commissioners Approves Food Truck Policy On County-Owned Property

County commissioners approved a policy Monday to regulate food trucks – where they can be, and for how long – on county-owned property.

The Properties Committee – commissioners Dan Brummitt, Leo Kelly and Valencia Perry – met on Jan. 27 to review the policy that was recommended for approval by the full board at the Feb. 3 monthly meeting.

Food trucks – or Mobile Food Service businesses as the policy states – increase foot traffic to public spaces and foster “a vibrant and inclusive community environment.”

The policy defines Mobile Food Service as “a readily movable cart, trailer, motorized wheeled vehicle” that is used and equipped to serve food.

Food trucks offer customers additional dining options and can also support “the incubation and growth of entrepreneurial/start-up businesses,” the policy states.

Food truck operators still have to comply with all the state regulations, including having a valid health permit that has to be prominently displayed.

They also have to follow any city zoning ordinances, provide their own trash receptacles and be at least 100 feet away from the customer entrance of an existing restaurant during its hours of operation, unless the restaurant owner says it’s ok to be closer.

Vance Co. Regional Farmers Market

More Food Trucks on the Way for Farmers Market

The Vance County Regional Farmers Market will be opening on Saturday, April 27 for the season, according to market manager Tracy Madigan.

Following a decision made by the Vance County Board of Commissioners at their Monday night meeting, there will be a greater presence of food trucks at the market this year.

Vance County Manager Jordan McMillen told WIZS News, “The popularity of food trucks is undeniable. They are beginning to gain notoriety in this area as they’ve already done in the triangle, and ultimately they can serve as a good way of drawing people to the market who may have never visited.”

“Specifically, at the farmers market, they have experimented with a food truck already and it has added an exciting and different dimension to the market. As individuals become familiar with the local food trucks this should improve the overall attendance at the market and introduce new patrons to the market. We see food trucks as a compliment to the market and believe it may also open up opportunities to push products from the farm to the table, complimenting the existing vendors as well.”

Food trucks, in general, have been in the news in our area in recent months, specifically when Gavin’s Grub Hub, owned and operated by Gavin Jackson, was looking for a semi-permanent location and wound up receiving a six-month approval from the City of Henderson to operate. We’ve also seen Backyard BBQ, which typically locates in the old Armory parking lot on Dabney Drive.

These additional approvals may indicate that our local leaders are getting more comfortable with food trucks and keeping in tune with what consumers have been enjoying for at least a decade or more in other larger urban areas.