Food Trucks A Popular Trend in Food Themed Events National League - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Food Trucks

A Popular Trend in Food Themed Events

• 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

National League of Cities: Food On Wheels: Mobile Vending Goes Mainstream. www.nlc.org

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

National League of Cities Report Highlights Best Practices For Food Trucks, Sept 23, 2013

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?

Is Your City Ready?

Adults Foodie experience Meet Up - Friends, family, neighbors, co-workers and social groups

Target Market

Policy & Permit Information

City Regulations

City Policies & Permits Each city’s policies and permits vary. Some don’t require any permits Some have staff inspectors and permits.

County Regulations

County Policies & Permits Depends on county policies Hennepin county for example requires county permits Dakota County does not

State Regulations

Minnesota Department

• f Health

Food trucks are permitted through the MN Dept of Health with a mobile food license, scheduled inspection. 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- Crazy Kevin R.A. MacSammy’s

What do food truck vendors want event

• rganizers to know to

help ensure a successful event? A Vendor Perspective

Timing - How Many Hours

Vendor Pricing Weather Decisions Vendor Needs Effective Marketing Other Insights

Food Trucks

Stand Alone Event & Added Component

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)

Eagan Case Study

• 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

Event Partners & Contractors

Formula That Worked For Eagan

Free Admission

Pre-event research indicated that events who charged admission had difficulties managing the ticket process. In area such as an open park hard to regulate entrances.

Food Trucks Beer, Alcohol, Adequate Seating

Attendees verbalized that beer was expected. Depends on city alcohol policy Highly recommend renting additional picnic tables

Great Music

A band with name recognition helps draw attendance but isn’t necessary if band and type of music is highly promoted by event host. Eagan had 21 trucks Most trucks sold out at the 3.5 hour mark Public requested more dessert trucks

Timeline For Food Truck Event

9 months to 1 year

Research food truck events, make decision to host one. Check for other food truck event dates in area. Set a date. Check with Police and other city, county & state regulators and get required permitting.

6-8 months prior

Create registration materials, invite food trucks, create event logo and begin print collateral

• design. Book music & rentals.

3-4 months prior

Finalize marketing plans and print collateral.

1-2 months prior

Heavy marketing promotion, confirm & send final instructions to food

• trucks. Check w/ health

dept., paperwork in order.

Event week & Post event

Weather updates, social media, confirm rentals & staffing, photos, day

• f media, thank you,

survey

Use Food Truck List MN Food Truck Association Visit local food trucks and events (a must)

Recruiting Food Trucks

Canterbury Park Local Breweries MN Food Truck Fair - multiple summer dates http://www.mnfoodtruckassociation.org/ @FoodTrucksMN

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.

Food Truck Event Tips

Spoke Style Perimeter Style Road Side Site Planning

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 Food Truck Event Tips

Food Drive was very successful at Eagan’s food truck event. Partnered with local food shelf Give Back

Newspapers Radio Television Program Guide Flyers Rack Cards Social Media City Website Signage Partner with CVB Marketing

Evaluate For Feedback During Event When Comments Are Fresh Post event survey to food truck

• wners

Evaluation & Feedback Follow social media and react fast.

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.

Kerry Phillips Recreation Supervisor City of Eagan (651) 675-5525 O (651) 402-0256 C kphillips@cityofeagan.com

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