More finger licking food carts rolling out in Vancouver

(VANCOUVER) NEWS1130 – Portland is still the undisputed champion when it comes to food carts in the Pacific Northwest, but Vancouver is trying to close the gap.

Vancouver has chosen 12 new street food vendors that will be eligible to start serving meals next month.

“It’s wonderful to welcome new international flavours and nutritious food to our street food offerings,” said Mayor Gregor Robertson. “The diversity of food options truly reflects our character as a multicultural city, and they introduce even more interesting and convenient food choices to our streets.”

The new carts will bring Vancouver’s total to 103.

The city is also launching a pilot project that will allow vendors into Stanley, Queen Elizabeth and Vanier Parks.

Sightline Institute Communications Associate Eric Hess follows the food cart scene along the west coast.

He applauds Vancouver for expanding the program, but would like to see the city follow Portland’s lead when it comes to cutting red tape for vendors.

“Portland has a policy attitude that is very laissez-faire,” Hess said.

“They recognize that it’s a good thing for their city, so they have created a policy outlook that is friendly.  The attitude from city officials is if it’s not causing problems, we’re not going to do anything about it.”

Hess says Vancouver should learn a lesson from Portland and cut down on restrictions.

“[Vancouver could] change the regulations around where carts can operate on private property,” Hess said.  

“Right now a cart cannot vend from a private lot to the general public.  They can come for an event, but they can’t sell to people walking on the street.”

Portland’s program has been around much longer and is also much bigger.

For every food cart in Vancouver there are seven in Portland.

However, Michelle Ng with World’s Best Street Eats Tour says vendors are becoming increasingly popular in Vancouver.

“I get a lot of locals,” Ng said.

“I would say about 80 per cent of customers that go on my foodie tours are locals and about 20 per cent are from outside the Lower Mainland.  They’re from through the Lower Mainland, across BC and the US is also a great source of visitors.”

She says the vendors themselves are a big draw.

“When you’re a visitor especially, you get to experience the city’s culture a lot more when you’re on the streets,” Ng said.  

“Talking to the owners and the chefs inside the food cart, you’re able to see them preparing the food as you wait.  The accessibility is so much greater.”

Ng thinks her business would get a boost from more coffee and dessert carts in the city.