East Hartford — The process for other town-based food vendors to run food trucks in East Hartford has become much easier and cheaper.
On August 2, the city council authorized Mayor Mike Walsh to sign a memorandum of understanding with the state health department. This allowed itinerant food vendors licensed in other towns to operate in East Hartford at no additional cost.
“I think this is a great direction for the health sector,” said Alderman Harry Amadathan. .”
Before the agreement was signed, food truck owners outside of East Hartford had to pay about $475 a year to operate in town.
Health and Human Services Director Lawrence Bernsd said at a meeting on Aug. 2 that Hartford food truck operators will have to pay nearly $500 for a license and add another $475 to “cross the river.” said.
A license to operate in multiple towns is only for jurisdictions with the same agreement. Food trucks must be licensed in the town where the business is based.
Amadasun said he fears East Hartford will lose money at the rates trucks are currently paying.
Barnsd said the town will suffer a “minor economic hit” as only 5 of the 18 food trucks licensed to operate in East Hartford per year use the town as a base of operations. I have confirmed that I will receive it.
“That’s a loss of about $4,000,” says Burnsed. “However, going into operation has allowed other individuals to show interest and actually launch their own food truck. I mean.”
Council Chairman Richard Kehoe expressed concern that vendors could prove they could operate in East Hartford.
“For East Hartford’s sake, I appreciate not asking them to repeat the chain again,” said Kehoe. We reserve the right to tell where they can operate, so why not publish something along those lines?”
Burnsed said food truck owners should notify the towns they plan to serve so that the health department can inspect their trucks before they open for business.
He added that the form of physical evidence has not yet been discussed, but that option could be addressed in the future. must be presented to
This is the town’s latest move to ease restrictions on food truck operators.
The ordinance went into effect on June 21, allowing food trucks licensed by the town’s health department to operate on designated streets. Prior to this, East He mobile his vendors in Hartford could only set up shop on private property.
Currently, the owners have food outlets in the Governor, Cherry, Cedar, Ash, Thomas, George, James, Charles, Village, Pitkin, Meadow, Hartland streets, Blacksmith Lane, East River Drive, Founders Plaza, and Prestige Park areas. can be sold.
These efforts to simplify the food vendor process are exactly why Gregorio de la Cruz and his family started Aguacate Mexican Food Truck.
“There aren’t enough food trucks in East Hartford,” De La Cruz said.
De La Cruz and his family serve authentic Mexican food from their yellow truck at 130 East River Drive.
Simplifying the process for food vendors in East Hartford is just one small step in a larger plan to create a universal licensing system for trucks in Connecticut.
An amendment was passed in 2018 to allow state public health departments to work with local health directors to create a reciprocal licensing system for traveling food establishments, allowing food trucks to operate anywhere in the state with a single license. had to be
Craftbird Food Truck owner Eric Stagl has been operating in East Hartford for seven years and can’t wait to see this plan come to fruition.
“If it actually happens and spreads statewide, it will be great,” Stagl said.
Collin covers East Windsor and Windsor Locks in the Journal Inquirer.