The NYC Hospitality Alliance testified today at a NYC Council hearing on proposed legislation that would create designated mobile food truck vending locations and parking spaces around NYC. Click here to read the proposed legislation.

They write that they have spoken with multiple supporters and opponents of this legislation and have carefully considered its implications. They have determined that the concept of assigning locations around the city from which mobile food trucks can vend may have validity. The proposal would also consider input on designated locations from multiple stakeholders, such as brick & mortar restaurants, food truck operators, community boards, Council Members and others.

However, there are longstanding burdens posed by mobile food vendors, such as unfair competition,  illegal and  improper business practices that harm brick & mortar restaurants. Accordingly, The Alliance will not support this proposal until the current vending laws are enforced and strengthened  by the City of New York against the mobile food vendors who are currently in violation of the law.

The Alliance supports culinary innovation and entrepreneurship, much of which is happening within the mobile food truck industry but they believe that outstanding legal and regulatory issues must be addressed before or at the same time as this proposal is considered.