A pilot project in the City of St. Albert is offering four public spots to food trucks but there is concern that may not be enough.
“As an owner of a food truck four is not enough. You would love to go all over the place but as a resident of St. Albert we know that they don’t have too many spots or city locations. So, we appreciate what we have for now,” said Ranya Abu Jaib whose family runs Dedo’s Food Truck & Catering.
According to Mayor Nolan Crouse the decision to limit the trial to four was a concession to current restaurants in the City.
“I think we still have to have some sort of control,” he said. “Especially for the businesses who have locations and food courts and put a lot of money into their business.
“A food truck comes in and they leave. They don’t have to stay. Their hours are limited. They can move on.”
The locations include downtown in the civic parking lot, the Lion’s Park parking lot, the Log Cabin parking lot and the Lacombe Lake Park parking lot.
Food truck venders are expected to obtain a valid business license and abide by exceptions for public events like the farmer’s market and children’s festival.
However, for Abu Jaib the change is welcome.
“Four spots give us a big opportunity in order to let people try good quality food from a food truck.”
For the City it is an opportunity to determine how popular food trucks are.
“We’ll see if this comes quickly and leaves. We’ll see if it is a fad or if it is kind of a long-term trend in society,” Crouse said.
The trial project runs from May 1 to October 31.
With files from Amanda Anderson
