A request to expand the Downtown Food Truck Program as part of the Mobile Food Vending Pilot Program was expanded through September 1, 2020, at this week’s City Council Meeting.
The expanded program was authorized to continue the operation of food trucks on city rights-of-way at the current hubs designated at Heritage Square and Sperry Fountain but will also be expanded to four new locations. Gertrude’s Walk was one of the original locations but was discontinued due to lack of use. City staff recommendations for the four new locations include the Magnolia Loop by Skyhouse, just north of Robinson Street; the playground at North Eola by Eola Park; Hill Avenue in Thornton Park; and West Church Street (which is broad but no other information was given).
The program was originally meant as a companion piece to the Rideshare Hub Pilot Program to service the late-night bar crowd and to ease their transition out of the Central Business District. The program is now being expanded through the summer to facilitate more physically-distant dining options in the downtown core due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Food carts, food trailers, or any other vehicles that are not food trucks are ineligible for this program as they will operate in the street and the City believes it is unsafe to operate them near traffic.
Food trucks are required to provide the following in order to obtain a “Mobile Food Vending Zones” permit sticker to display on their vehicle: They must have Certificate of liability insurance, which indemnifies the City of Orlando, with a minimum coverage of $1 million, and an aggregate limit of $2 million, an active State of Florida DBPR permit, valid Orlando Business Tax Receipt, valid Orange County Business Tax Reciept, and a photo of their food truck.
All food truck locations are first come, first served.
Click HERE for more information on the program.
