Long Beach continues its Sidewalk to Success program and is accepting applications for up to 40 free food trucks for eligible vendors.
The carts will be distributed to qualified applicants on a first-come, first-served basis. Vendors can apply online.
The Sidewalk to Success program is part of the city’s updated sidewalk and street vendor laws. The program is designed to help vendors comply with the regulations while reducing the financial burden of the requirements.
Other initiatives under the program include covering the cost of business and health licenses and reimbursing insurance costs for the first year. So far, only 14 providers have received such financial support, according to a statement from the city of Long Beach.
Each cart type has a different price and the program ends once funds to purchase carts are exhausted. The actual number of carts purchased and distributed to dealers depends on the type of carts purchased and participation in the program. The city has allocated $429,500 for cart purchases as part of the Long Beach Recovery Act.
Forty applicants have the choice between four car types:
- Fruit trolley with cool boxes for serving cut fruit
- Grill food truck for serving already cooked meat such as hot dogs, packaged and labeled burritos or tacos, etc.
- Tamale cart for serving pre-packaged/hot food
- Ice cream truck
To qualify for a free shopping cart, applicants must meet all of the following eligibility requirements:
- Live in Long Beach and operate the cart in the city
- Be a micro-enterprise (defined as a company with no more than two full-time employees)
- Only operate one car, including the car they are applying for
- Fill out the application for a business license
- Complete the Compact Mobile Food Operation Health Permit Application.
“The Sidewalk to Success program has supported our local micro-businesses with important financial incentives and resources that will help them better serve our community,” Mayor Rex Richardson said in a public statement. “With this next step in our program, we will provide eligible sidewalk vending entrepreneurs in our city with the boost they need to get their business off the ground.”
The shopping cart giveaway application consists of three parts:
- The business license form and the checklist for preparation
- Checklist and menu for plan submission
- The final approval checklist
Additional forms, such as a restroom agreement, may be required depending on the business plan.
To improve economic opportunities in low- and moderate-income areas, during the first three months of the free cart program, priority will be given to applicants residing in designated priority areas that receive Community Development Block Grant funding, such as North and Central Long Beach.
Those who do not live in priority areas are still encouraged to apply early to secure their place when the program opens to all applicants.
For assistance with the requirements to apply for a health permit, applicants may contact the Health Department at 562.570.4132 or [email protected]. Food permit program staff will work with prospective vendors by phone, video conference, or in person in English, Spanish, Khmer, Tagalog, and other languages upon request.
Anyone needing assistance with business license requirements should email [email protected] or call 562-570-7852.
Technical assistance is also available through the Department of Economic Development’s Inclusive Business Navigators Program, which provides free technical assistance, workshops and business coaching/consulting to small businesses in Long Beach.
Help is available in multiple languages at longbeach.gov/biznavigators or by calling BizCare at (562) 570-4BIZ (4249) and requesting a transfer.
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