“Start a Green Business Series”: Sustainable Mobile Food Vendor

Sustainable mobile food vendors offer a selection of healthy, organic snacks and simple meals with low carbon footprints through a mobile cart.  These businesses can provide a healthy alternative to fast food and vending machines in underserved communities, as well as near schools, workplaces, and other locations where healthy food is hard to find.

There is growing interest in these businesses as a means to achieve healthier populations, especially in underserved locations where healthy food, farmer’s markets, and/or organic grocers are sparse or non-existent.  The city of New York passed a resolution increasing the number of mobile food vendor permits it would grant, with the caveat that these vendors may only sell fresh, whole foods that were healthy and sustainable into neighborhoods where those items are not readily available.  The city of San Francisco issued an executive order in July 2009 to a similar end, requiring that in granting mobile food vendor permits, the city must either require the sale of healthy and sustainably produced food or give preference to those who do.  Similar initiatives will likely follow in many other cities, as the link between health of citizens and access to healthy food has become virtually undeniable.

What required knowledge or skills are necessary?

There are no formal educational or training requirements for this job.  However, the work is strenuous and requires that the worker be able to be on their feet for extended periods of time, be capable of preparing a diversity of foods, and be able to lift up to 25 pounds and potentially push a cart over curbs, up ramps or around debris.

How much money is required to start?

$   (on a scale of $ to $$$$$)

What is the income potential?

$$   (on a scale of $ to $$$$$)

What is the best location for a sustainable mobile food vendor?

Urban (best), semi-urban (very good), suburbs (very good), rural (fair).

Three best questions to ask yourself to find out if this business is right for you (if you can answer yes to all three, this business might be for you):

Do you enjoy preparing food?
Do you often see locations where people have few options for food choices and end up buying unhealthy fast food?
Are you passionate about helping people live healthier?