Weigh In On Food Truck Operations In Long Beach

LONG BEACH, CA — In light of the ongoing conversations about food truck operations in Long Beach, the community was asked to give their input on what they think about food trucks and how they would like the city to proceed.

Community members were encouraged to share any concerns or input about locations, health safety and the number of food trucks available. The 26-question survey will be open until April 2.

"The City is committed to supporting food truck entrepreneurial opportunities, while also addressing the needs and concerns of residents, business owners, current food truck operators and other key stakeholders," city officials said in a statement.

Last year, the city voted to move forward with recommendations to change how and where food trucks do business, and officials said more final decisions are expected to be made in the coming months.

Over time, many brick-and-mortar shops have complained about food trucks impacting their business, in part prompting the city to take a closer look at regulations.

The city is exploring changes to where food trucks are allowed to operate and what kind of health permit trucks will need. Previously, food trucks only needed a county permit but going forward trucks could be required to get a permit from the Long Beach Health Department to operate legally in the city.

Vendors also expressed their worries about the new regulations and how their businesses could be impacted, as a lot of them depend on the income from the trucks.

“There is enough business for anyone,” a food truck operator at a past City Council meeting. “We do sacrifice a lot of hours to run a business and I feel like we should have the same chance as they do.”

The survey is available in English, Spanish, Khmer and Tagalog and can be completed online or on paper at any Long Beach Public Library, the city said. The results of the survey will help inform the new regulations and will be considered at future City Council meetings.