Toronto residents will soon have a chance to purchase a tasty array of snacks in local parks, when a pilot food truck project kicks off next week.
Starting Aug. 1, the pilot program will see a select number of vendors offering everything from grilled cheese sandwiches, poutines and burritos in five different city parks.
For two months, 15 food trucks will set up shop at Woodbine Park, Sherbourne Common, Roundhouse Park, Canoe Landing and Allan Gardens.
Councillors Josh Colle and Mary-Margaret McMahon have been vocal advocates of the project.
"We live in one of the most multicultural cities in the world and our street food does not reflect that at all," McMahon told CTV Toronto.
According to both Colle and McMahon, food trucks and carts have been over-regulated in Toronto. They say the pilot project will provide an opportunity to expand food choices for Torontonians.
While there are a number of food trucks already operating in the city, current city regulations prohibit them from selling food on public property. Instead, vendors must rent parking lots to sell their fare.
Food truck vendors who were permitted to sell their food at Woodbine Park during the Beaches Jazz Festival told CTV Toronto the regulations have made it difficult to conduct business.
“It’s kind of hard doing business right now… we’re not allowed to go everywhere so it’s been difficult,” vendor Tom Antonarakis said.
Elias Vastis of Hula Girls Espresso agreed.
“It’s challenged us in a lot of ways as entrepreneurs to kind of think outside the box and figure out different ways that we can still run a business and make a livelihood for ourselves,” he said.
Both food vendors and food truck fans say the new pilot project is a big step forward.
“It’s nice to have better options… it’s nice to have fresh food. I’m bored of just getting french fries and burgers,” resident Detta Moss said.
“It allows you the opportunity, instead of going to a restaurant … you see them and if the food is good, why not support them?” resident Domenic Cristiano said. “I think it’s a great idea.”
Food truck operator Terry Nicolau welcomes the pilot project.
“You give people the opportunity to eat good food everywhere,” he said. “You can be at a park where there’s no restaurants around and yet you can provide great food… how can you go wrong?”
Colle and McMahon said they’re hoping to press the Municipal Licensing and Standards Committee to expand the program and bring more trucks to more locations across the city.
Here is a map showing the Toronto parks where the pilot food truck project will be taking place. Zoom in and click on the icons to see where each park is located:
View Food Trucks in Toronto's Parks in a larger map
With a report from CTV Toronto’s Scott Lightfoot and files from CP24
