Greenbelt City Council pushes for more food trucks in Greenbelt
Greenbelt food trucks lined up in a parking lot at an event (City of Greenbelt)
Greenbelt City Council members continue to establish more opportunities for food trucks to operate within the city, while following Prince George’s County food truck regulations.
The City Council discussed the food truck regulations at a meeting on the evening of Aug. 18. The council considered the interest of having at least one food truck operating in Greenbelt or hosting a food truck special event.
According to Prince George’s County’s food truck regulations, food trucks may only operate if they’re a part of a Food Truck Hub, which is an outside open area with at least two licensed food truck vendors. The county’s Department of Permitting, Inspections and Enforcement (DPIE) has to certify the food truck application for it to sell freshly prepared foods.
“Legislation was passed that allowed the cities some flexibility because PG County is very specific on where food trucks may operate,” said Terri Hruby, Director of Planning and Community Development for the city of Greenbelt. Although the county has heavy regulations on food trucks, Greenbelt can host events that allow more food trucks to showcase and promote their business.
“It is extremely hard to operate a food truck in PG County because of so many regulations, and it’s easier to operate in the city of Greenbelt,” said Darnell Johnson, owner of Big D’s Wings. “It seems like the residents want the food trucks, yet the county does not.”
The county does not allow food trucks to operate on public rights-of-way or private property except if it is a part of designated Food Truck Hub or permitted at a stadium, amusement park, fair or any related event that has been issued a temporary use permit from the DPIE.
Council member Rodney Roberts thinks the county’s policy makes things too difficult.
“The city should be able to decide for itself how many food trucks we want and so on,” said Roberts. “We need to get the county to reconsider their policy.”
Council members acknowledge that the county's strict regulations have discouraged food trucks from coming to the county unless it is for special events hosted by the city of Greenbelt or other clients.
“Because PG county does regulate a lot, unfortunately we don’t do a lot of business in the county with our food trucks,” said Vania Gamez, owner of La Eloteria DMV. “With PG county, we do more catering in order to get business because we aren’t able to have our food trucks in PG because it has so many restrictions.”
Greenbelt city council members recognize the county’s strict regulations regarding the need for owners to register their food trucks in a Hub, making it difficult for food trucks to operate.
“I do appreciate that Prince George's County is doing all the licensing and health inspections that are required because that needs to be as it is very important,” said Council member Silke Pope. “The cleanliness of food is very important because you certainly don't want to get anyone ill or sick from something.”
Other council members have different attitudes towards the regulations that restrict people from promoting their business.
“I don’t think there’s anybody out there saying the regulations are horrible because they have to be inspected and go through the health department inspections,” said Roberts. “We have people here trying to make a living and you can’t tie everyone’s hands as to where they can go and who they can serve.”
Still, some food truck owners are frustrated with the county restricting their businesses.
“Because of the restrictions in PG county, I only operate at special events, and I go to other counties that have way less restrictions and way more easier to vend in,” said Sheena Allen, owner of Jammin Flava. “The Food Truck Hub is one of the most ridiculous things created and I’m tired of PG county creating all these rules and laws to prevent food trucks.”
The City Council has worked on additional opportunities for food trucks to operate in the city, like the Greenbelt Labor Day Festival in early September, and has been considering hosting food truck nights in city parks and inviting licensed vendors to participate.
“We were invited this year to the Greenbelt Labor Day Festival, which was really nice, but because of COVID not a lot of people came out,” said Johnson. Council members said they’ll continue to discuss special events and opportunities for food trucks to easily operate in the city, and for the people of Greenbelt to enjoy.
The City Council will discuss amending its food truck hub ordinance at their legislative dinner. The council has not decided when the dinner will take place yet, according to council member Judith Davis.