Those "pop-up" food trucks and their smaller relatives, food carts, are posing a health problem in Woodland and elsewhere across Yolo County.
That's according to a study undertaken by county health officials, who are scheduled to make a presentation on the "Road to Licensure" Pilot Program at Tuesday's Board of Supervisors meeting. The meeting starts at 9 a.m. in the county offices at 625 Court St., Woodland.
Woodland City Manager Ken Hiatt alluded to the study and development of a local ordinance in a City Council meeting this past week. He indicated a pilot program could be launched in September, depending on how soon a "Mobile Food Ordinance" could be drafted.
Some "brick-and-mortar" restaurant owners in downtown Woodland would welcome the move. Some restaurants have reportedly seen "significant revenue decreases since many of these stands have continued to move into Woodland without any regulation."
The Yolo County study seems to confirm this.
Prepared by Berenice Espitia and Cindy Perez, associate management analysts for the Yolo County Administrator's Office, their recommendations coming from a survey in July and early August, found there were 27 independent and "unique street food vendors" in Woodland. Seven food trucks posed a high risk to public health, while others posed lower risks.
The nine "push carts," counted – which are used by people walking throughout city neighborhoods - posed low risks to public health, according to the study.
"In recent years, the county has seen an increase in unlicensed street food vendors, particularly in the city of Woodland," the report finds. "There are a variety of reasons for this increase. People operating locally make an essential source of income, create employment opportunities, and are afforded the flexibility to take care of their families.
"The main issue is that food prepared by pop-up street food vendors is typically prepared from a private home or unpermitted restaurant or facility, compromising the health and safety of consumers," the report continues. "In addition, unlicensed street food vending has an impacted 'brick-and-mortar businesses' ability to compete because, as registered businesses, they are required to pay taxes and fees to operate lawfully that in effect raise their food prices.
"Street food tents often sell on sites which may be dangerous to health and safety for the employees and patrons, as they have been observed selling food in gas station parking lots with flammable appliances, near dumpsters, and heavily trafficked streets," the report goes on.
"Finally, street food tents also lack the proper food storage facilities, hand washing stations, and food-safe temperature control mechanisms. These scenarios increase the risk of accidents or foodborne illnesses which compromise public safety."
Street food vendors "may lack the awareness for safe food-handling and legal licensure, as well as lack the necessary channels and education for standards compliance," the report notes.
It's for these reasons that the county is recommending a pilot program with the city of Woodland to educate pop-up vendors on how to be safe, along with getting the necessary operating permits.
County staff feel the small pop-up and pushcart operations, which represent the lowest risk to public health, would be the most likely to benefit from a formalized "pathway to licensure program." There are 21 vendors which fall into this category of the 27 recorded operations.
Large-scale operations are different. They "have the means to compete with local brick-and-mortar restaurants in Woodland. "Their local renown and high cost of initial investment into their operations give them the potential capacity to undergo an existing pathway to licensure and acquire either a Food Truck or brick-and-mortar establishment of their own," states the report.
"Large-scale operations" are identified as having a high cost of investment in trucks, large stoves, spit grills and multiple staff; high customer presence, large social media presence, identifiable business name, catering services, operate in more than one location or city, having seating structures and consistent hours.
Woodland currently allows 13 licensed food truck operations at one time, according to the study, but it does not have a food vendor license program for so-called "compact mobile food operations," which are non-motorized vehicles where food is prepared on-site or in a permitted kitchen or restaurant.
To be in compliance with county safety codes, food handlers have to be educated on how to reduce risks of foodborne illness, obtain food from a safe source, store food in proper temperatures, and have ready access to handwashing facilities.
Since Woodland has no food vendor license program, the report states that this is a "major barrier" under which food vendors operate. As such, a license policy would need to be introduced and approved by the City Council to create new access to obtain the needed permits.
Overall, the county is recommending the city partner with Meals on Wheels, which can teach safe food-handling procedures along with a certified kitchen and preparation space that will allow vendors to qualify for health permits. The number of participants, however, would be limited to five, given the lack of space available.
This would mean a second nonprofit operator would be needed to accommodate a larger number of participants. However, the report offers no recommendations on who that nonprofit might be.
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