Food trucks can sell meals at California highway rest areas to bolster supply chain
California is now allowing food trucks to sell meals to truck drivers at state highway rest areas to increase the number of convenient food options available and ensure the supply chain of food and other needed products isn’t impeded during the coronavirus pandemic.
Food truck operators can apply for a temporary encroachment easement permit to sell meals at one or more of the state’s 86 rest areas, according to a news release from the California Department of Transportation.
Caltrans officials said each food truck is responsible for all waste cleanup and removal, following all food-safety rules and maintaining safe physical distancing of 6-feet apart among employees and customers.
“Helping our truckers and facilitating the movement of essential goods during the COVID-19 crisis is a priority,” said Caltrans Director Toks Omishakin. “We hope this gives truckers more food options to keep them and the economy moving.”
Omishakin also said this will offer additional business opportunities for food trucks hit hard by stay-at-home health orders to slow the coronavirus spread and limit the number of COVID-19 infections.
Caltrans officials said the food truck operators need to specify for which rest area they are applying, and these permits will be valid through June 15.
Each food truck will have to operate within the locality for which they are licensed and permitted by the local health inspector, according to Caltrans. Food trucks are licensed locally.
Yesterday, Gov. Gavin Newsom issued an executive order that suspended restrictions of selling commercial food at the state rest areas during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Federal Highway Administration last week suspended related federal prohibitions.
Shawn Yadon, chief executive officer for the California Trucking Association, says he appreciates Newsom and Caltrans for ensuring the trucking industry has the tools necessary to respond to this crisis.
“Access to a warm meal is as essential as the truckers on our roads who continue to transport basic necessities, medical supplies and emergency equipment to communities across the state,” Yadon said in the news release.
The industry transports about 96 percent of commercial goods consumed in the Sacramento region, according to a 2015 Caltrans analysis.
The federal government has dropped some longstanding restrictions on work hours for haulers of essential goods such as health care supplies and food supplies.
Yadon has told the Sacramento Bee that his group is asking truckers who do make longer runs to use judgment on when to take a rest, both for road safety, but also to maintain physical health at a time when there are fewer places to stop, rest, eat and even go to the restroom.
Caltrans began accepting food truck applications for specific rest areas online Friday on its website. Details on each highway rest area also can be found online on the Caltrans QuickMap by clicking on options and then clicking on the rest area box.
Caltrans officials said they cannot guarantee each rest area will have a food truck and how frequently they’ll be available, since many rest areas are in remote areas with fewer roadside services. They said a lists of participating food trucks will be posted on the Caltrans website.
This story was originally published April 17, 2020 at 8:45 PM with the headline "Food trucks can sell meals at California highway rest areas to bolster supply chain."
