Food Trucks A Popular Trend in Food Themed Events
National League of Cities ● Food Trucks $650 million revenue generator ● Many city ordinances were written decades ago, with a different type of mobile food supplier in mind (hot dog carts, ice cream trucks). ● New food trucks are large vehicles packed with high-tech cooking equipment and sanitation devices to provide safe food preparation. ● There is no “one size fits all” prescription on how to incorporate food trucks into communities. ● Alternative to brick and mortar restaurants, or jumping off point. National League of Cities: Food On Wheels: Mobile Vending Goes Mainstream. www.nlc.org
National League of Cities 1. Hold Town Hall forums, stakeholder meetings 2. Encourage dialogue 3. Implement pilot programs to determine what regulations to adopt What is Driving Food Truck Trend? ● Desire for quality, value, and speed ● Appreciation for fresh, local foods ● Preference for small sustainable businesses ● Alternative for vendors from brick and mortar restaurants ● Adaptability to experiment with food trends and gourmet fare National League of Cities Report Highlights Best Practices For Food Trucks, Sept 23, 2013
Is Your City Ready? Cities are currently exploring food truck policies, permitting and event tie-in. More and more food trucks are contacting cities about their policies. Are you ready to answer those questions?
Target Market Adults Foodie experience Meet Up - Friends, family, neighbors, co-workers and social groups
Policy & Permit Information City Regulations County Regulations State Regulations City Policies & Permits County Policies & Permits Minnesota Department of Health Each city’s policies and Depends on county policies permits vary. Food trucks are Hennepin county for permitted through the Some don’t require any example requires county MN Dept of Health with a permits permits mobile food license, Some have staff Dakota County does not scheduled inspection. inspectors and permits. Minneapolis permit, does not cover outside of Minneapolis, then state permit required.
MN Department of Health State Regulations Minnesota Department of Health Inspector asks that event coordinator send a list of all food trucks a few weeks prior to the event so they can be checked to make sure the truck has current state licensing. This may not apply to cities and counties who have regulations that supercede what is arranged between that entity and the Department of Health.
Trucks at Private Events ● Eagan’s Policy on Food Trucks at Private Events Food truck must have written permission from the private owner of property. ○ ● Food truck at a private event in a City-owned park must get a permit from Parks & Recreation, cost is $29 and show proof of general liability insurance meeting city requirements. ○ Tournaments
J.J. Bacon-Me- Kevin Crazy R.A. MacSammy’s
A Vendor Perspective Timing - How Many Hours Vendor Pricing What do food truck vendors want event Weather Decisions organizers to know to help ensure a successful Vendor Needs event? Effective Marketing Other Insights
Stand Alone Event & Food Trucks Added Component
Eagan Case Study City Council Requested Food Truck Event 7 months planning time First Saturday after Labor Day Event Time: 3 - 7:30 p.m. Staffing: 1 Recreation Supervisor 2 Event Site Coordinators 1 Maintenance Worker 2 Police Officers (beer area) 4 Police Officers (parking/traffic)
Event Partners & Contractors ● Green Mill Restaurant (beer provider) ● Eagan Police Department Alcohol Training ○ Enforcement ○ ● Picnic Tables To Go - table rental ● The Open Door - food shelf ● Sun Thisweek Newspaper - promotions
Formula That Worked For Eagan Beer, Alcohol, Free Admission Food Trucks Great Music Adequate Seating Pre-event research indicated Eagan had 21 trucks Attendees verbalized that beer A band with name recognition that events who charged was expected. helps draw attendance but Most trucks sold out at the admission had difficulties isn’t necessary if band and managing the ticket process. 3.5 hour mark Depends on city alcohol policy type of music is highly promoted by event host. Public requested more In area such as an open park Highly recommend renting dessert trucks hard to regulate entrances. additional picnic tables
Timeline For Food Truck Event 1-2 months prior 9 months to 1 year 6-8 months prior Heavy marketing promotion, confirm & send Research food truck events, Create registration materials, final instructions to food make decision to host one. invite food trucks, create event trucks. Check w/ health Check for other food truck logo and begin print collateral dept., paperwork in order. event dates in area. Set a date. design. Book music & rentals. Event week & 3-4 months prior Post event Check with Police and other Finalize marketing plans and Weather updates, city, county & state regulators print collateral. social media, and get required permitting. confirm rentals & staffing, photos, day of media, thank you, survey
Recruiting Food Trucks Canterbury Park Use Food Truck List Local Breweries MN Food Truck Association MN Food Truck Fair - Visit local food trucks and multiple summer dates events (a must) http://www.mnfoodtruckassociation.org/ @FoodTrucksMN
Food Truck Event Tips Provide sufficient seating for event patrons. Suggest renting extra picnic tables.
Food Truck Event Tips Provide plenty of green space to spread out and picnicking Shaded areas Sufficient restrooms w/ handwashing
Food Truck Event Tips Layout Makes A Difference In Customer Experience Cluster food trucks together but at the same time provide enough space to accommodate long lines.
Site Planning Spoke Style Perimeter Style Road Side
Food Truck Event Tips Educate your audience about food truck event expectations Long lines should be expected
Food Truck Event Tips Green Your Event ● Compost ● Recycling ● Trash Recycling educators at waste pods
Give Back Food Drive was very successful at Eagan’s food truck event. Partnered with local food shelf
Marketing Newspapers Radio Television Program Guide Flyers Rack Cards Social Media City Website Signage Partner with CVB
Evaluation & Feedback Evaluate For Feedback During Event When Comments Are Fresh Post event survey to food truck Follow social media and react fast. owners
Food trucks can compliment other events. Food trucks at Latino Night at Eagan Market Fest
Food trucks can compliment other events. Kowalski’s Food Truck served 800 meals at Eagan’s Police 50th Party
Sometimes good ideas just don’t work as planned and that’s OK. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
Contact Kerry Phillips Recreation Supervisor City of Eagan (651) 675-5525 O (651) 402-0256 C kphillips@cityofeagan.com
Recommend
More recommend
