Cambridge Food Truck Program Seeks Food Truck Vendor Applications for 2019/2020 Season


1/28/2019 • 5 years ago

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Cambridge Food Truck Program

The City of Cambridge is currently accepting applications for its Food Truck Program, which will continue to bring a variety of food trucks to locations in Central Square, Cambridgeport, and North Point Park. The food truck vendor application period is open until February 22, 2019 and program shifts for the 2019/2020 season will take effect May 1, 2019.

Download a 2019/2020 Food Truck Program Vendor Application

Application Information for Interested Vendors

To be eligible for vending consideration, food truck 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. Special consideration will be given to women- and minority-owned businesses, businesses operated by Cambridge residents, new businesses (2 years or under), and businesses without a brick-and-mortar restaurant.

Food trucks accepted into the program will be open to the public on May 1, 2019 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 scheduling at each location using a system that considers the eligibility requirements detailed above. Additionally, a People’s Choice Poll, available online in late February  2019, will invite Cambridge community members to vote on their top vendor choice at select, high-demand locations. Final program schedules, including food truck vendors at each location, will be announced in April 2019.

The program follows a successful year-long Food Truck Pilot, which provided entrepreneurial opportunities to vendors, diverse food offerings to patrons, and additional street level amenities to Cambridge public spaces. The Food Truck Program will continue in the spirit of the Pilot, helping to incubate and grow food truck businesses, with a focus on women- and minority-owned businesses as well as first-time food truck operators and businesses owned by Cambridge residents.

Food trucks that have been vending through the Food Truck Pilot will remain in their shifts until April 30, 2019.  For more information about the City of Cambridge Food Truck Program and food truck vending at private locations, visit cambridgema.gov/foodtrucks.

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