News

Washington newspaper encourages lawmakers to support food truck industry

January 17, 2018

The News Tribune in Tacoma, Washington, urges state lawmakers to be cautious about some aspects of a bill to allow food truck operators to prepare all or most of their food on board their trucks instead of having to prep much of their food offsite, but the editorial encourages lawmakers to support laws that will allow the nascent industry to grow.

The editorial noted the success of last year's Food Truck Lobby Day. It characterizes food truck owners as creative risk takers and acknowledges that a good case can be made to cut their red tape.

The proposed bill, however, cuts corners on health and safety, the editorial stated, noting that an alternative measure would include safeguards like cold storage, sanitary equipment and water capacity, provided the trucks have room for such things.

The editorial urges lawmakers not to be inflexible in response to the rising food truck industry and to reconsider a law that would allow food trucks to serve wine and beer.