Help for Food Truck operators

If you’ve been keeping up with Council meetings then you may have already heard about the new pilot program in the works.

This new program is to allow food truck operators to get short-term business licences to operate in town, as well as sign up to park at town approved locations. The application process also includes getting provincially required inspections and safety checks. These include a health inspection by the Northwestern Health Unit, and a propane safety check.

The Town was approached by a local food truck owner about the possibility of changing the process for obtaining a business licence for food truck owners. Given their nature of being on wheels, food trucks move from place to place, town to town, province to province. Because of this, it doesn’t always make sense for a food truck owner to get a year long business licence, especially if they only plan on stopping in a location for a few days.

Now, you can apply for a 1-2 day, 1 week, 1 month or 20 week business licence. Not only that, but you can also apply online and pick which spot you like through the Town website. The Town currently has 10 spots to choose from, and notably the four spots at the Sorting Gap Marina do not come with a fee to park. Additionally, some previously enforced conditions have been loosened to make the process smoother for applicants.

This new pilot program was on display earlier this month dubbed “Burger Wars”. This event was organized by a committee of local Rainy River District residents and sponsored by businesses across the Rainy River District. Not only did this event offer new food options to town, along with a healthy dose of friendly competition, it also gave the Town a chance to show off its downtown area and hometown pride.

The town is hopeful that this new program will allow for some new food options in town and also show surrounding areas the opportunity available to them to bring their businesses to The Great Canadian Mainstreet. 

If you are interested in learning more about the Food Truck Pilot Program or applying for your own short term business licence for your food truck,  you can visit https://www.fortfrances.ca/business/food-trucks