The City of Iowa City pilot program for mobile food vendors starts today as food carts set up shop in Chauncey Swan Park. The new program goes through October 31 and the city has allowed five vendors the opportunity to sell their food on Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Fridays from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the downtown park.
The city had plans to offer another space in City Park for mobile food vendors, but they were cancelled due to flooding. Assistant City Manager Geoff Ruin says that plans for vendors to sell at the East Side Recycling Center are still under discussion.
According to the city, the pilot program will be used to “gauge local interest in having more mobile food trucks and vending carts operating inside City limits,” though they note that interest has already been expressed by vendors and residents.
The businesses that have been granted permits include Bread Garden Market, Chicago Barbecue Company, Keepin’ Up with the Jones’s, Local Burrito and The Box Lunch.
