Cambridge Food Truck Program Applications Open for 2020 Season


1/17/20204 years ago

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Cambridge Food Truck Program

The City of Cambridge is currently accepting applications from food truck vendors to participate in the third annual Food Truck Program, which will expand to include food truck trailers for the 2020/2021 season. As the food business industry continues to grow and change, food truck trailers have become an attractive, low-cost option for starting a food business. Allowing trailers to vend in the program aligns with the program’s goals to lower the barrier for food entrepreneurs to test menu options and marketing for their business goals.

The Food Truck Program continues to help incubate and grow food businesses, with a focus on women- and minority-owned businesses as well as first-time food truck or trailer operators, businesses owned by Cambridge residents, food truck or trailer businesses without a brick-and-mortar restaurant operation in Cambridge and no more than one brick-and-mortar operation outside of Cambridge, and food trucks or trailers that are not vending in other outdoor Cambridge venues on a regular basis.

The Food Truck Program application period is open until February 21, 2020. Scheduling for the 2020/2021 season will take effect on Friday, May 1, 2020.

Download a 2020/2021 Food Truck Program Vendor Application

To be eligible for vending consideration, food truck or trailer operators must complete an application provided by the City’s Community Development Department. They must also be licensed and permitted by the City prior to the start of vending. Food trucks and trailers can apply to vend at the following locations:

  • Cambridgeport (Sidney Street at Erie Street)
    • Weekday Lunch: 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Monday through Friday

  • Central Square / City Hall (795 Massachusetts Ave.)
    • Weekend Dinner: 8:00 p.m. - 12:00 a.m. Thursday through Sunday

  • North Point Park (Education Park)
    • Weekend Lunch: 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday 

An internal review committee will determine food truck or trailer scheduling at each location using a system that considers eligibility requirements as detailed in the Food Truck Program Guidelines. Additionally, a People’s Choice Poll, available online in March 2020, will invite Cambridge community members to vote for their top vendor choice at select, high-demand locations. Final program schedules, including food truck or trailer vendors at each location, will be announced in April 2020.

Food trucks currently enrolled in The Food Truck Program may remain in their shifts until April 30, 2019 and can reapply to vend during the 2020 season. For more information about the Food Truck Program and food truck vending at private locations in Cambridge, visit cambridgema.gov/foodtrucks

The Food Truck Program is part of the Community Development Department’s Food Business Incubator Program, which offers technical assistance and other resources to help Cambridge food entrepreneurs strengthen and grow their business through low-, or no-cost opportunities. In addition to the Food Truck Program, the Food Business Incubator Program includes the Food Business Workshop Series, which offers free professional training and expertise on timely topics in the modern food business landscape. Courses continue throughout the spring and summer of 2020 and interested food business operators can learn more at cambridgema.gov/FoodBusinessIncubator.

Read how the Cambridge Food Truck Pilot helped The Pull Up, LLC refine and expand its food truck business.

For More Information

Contact Christina DiLisio, Economic Development Specialist, at cdilisio@cambridgema.gov or 617-349-4601