Neighborhood food truck locations announced for summer 2020 pilot program

Mayor Martin J. Walsh today announced a summer pilot program for the City of Boston's Food Truck Program that will support valuable small businesses that have been greatly impacted by COVID-19, as well as provide residents throughout the City's neighborhoods with additional accessible and safe food options. The program, which will officially begin Friday, July 17, includes 23 new neighborhood locations such as parks, playgrounds, and public spaces where trucks will vend from 12:00pm to 7:00pm seven days a week.

"Small businesses and restaurants employ our neighbors and add to the vibrancy of our community, but have suffered greatly due to our COVID-19 response," said Mayor Walsh. "This summer Food Truck pilot will provide additional dining options for residents and visitors across our City, while also adhering to public health guidelines in order to slow the spread of COVID-19."

While food trucks have been able to operate as "food take-out businesses" throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the Mayor's Office of Economic Development, Streets Cabinet, and the Inspectional Services Department collaborated to create new spaces in local commercial districts and adapt to changing commuter and workplace conditions. The City of Boston has waived all site permit fees for this summer pilot. However, all food trucks must be approved to operate, have up-to-date certifications and permits, and are required to continue following all public health guidance by properly marking 6 feet spacing between customers and maintaining social distancing. All food trucks that have not signed up yet but are interested in participating in the pilot are encouraged to fill out an eligibility form. 

Earlier this year, an interdepartmental effort created a new online application portal which allows food truck owners seeking to vend in the City of Boston an option to submit all approved licenses, certifications, and required documents digitally. This new online method, provided in addition to in person, email, and by mail application options, provides food truck owners with a more transparent and streamlined permitting process.

As business owners, employers, and employees navigate an evolving reopening process and COVID-19-related assistance, the City of Boston created and maintains a "Reopening Boston" webpage, which includes industry-specific guidance and requirements, resources and tools, and more information on available City services. The City of Boston has created a number of useful guides and resources for small businesses impacted by COVID-19, including a new platform to advertise and purchase PPE and cleaning supplies, Open Businesses in Boston and Support Boston Restaurants, platforms which helped businesses to publicly share that they are open and direct residents to support local establishments. To assist businesses in industries impacted most by COVID-19, the City of Boston launched the Small Business Relief Fund, which to date has distributed  $6.1 million in debt-free grants to 1,685 small businesses in every neighborhood in order to address rent, fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, lost sales, lost opportunities, and other working capital expenses. 

For all coronavirus updates from the City of Boston, please visit boston.gov/coronavirus.

About the Mayor's Office of Economic Development

The Economic Development Cabinet's mission is to make Boston an appealing and accessible place for working families, entrepreneurs, businesses, and investors to innovate, grow, and thrive in a way that fosters inclusion, broadens opportunity, and shares prosperity, thereby enhancing the quality of life for all Bostonians and the experience for all visitors. Learn more on their website.

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