I want a food truck! 5 Key Questions answered

Its time to take a moment and appreciate all that is the humble food truck.

As a consumer there is something really freeing about eating food from a micro restaurant in the street. It is a true experience of the senses; the smells of the vast variety of culinary experiences with the eye catching graphics emblazoned across the side, it can be quite intoxicating and definitely my idea of a nice summer evening.

The first food truck is believed to have started in 1866 by a Texan Cattle farmer. Today they serve an estimated 2.5 billion people worldwide. Every. Single. Day.  

However, they are not just a great way to eat food, they are also an effective way to run a food business.

The food truck revolution is here!

Whether just starting out in the food industry or looking to add to your existing food business the positives are hard to ignore;

• It’s a great way to test out the viability of your product before investing in bricks and mortar.
• It can allow you the opportunity to be creative and avoid the ‘culinary status quo’.
• It allows you the freedom to go to your customers. Get to where the action is.
• It is a good opportunity to get your brand out there and noticed.

However, it is important to remember that a food truck is still considered a food business and therefore has rules and regulations attached to it. Don’t let this scare you. Below I have answered the 5 most common questions I get asked about owning a food truck in New Zealand.

1. What kind of registration do I need?

There is no special registration for food trucks or mobile businesses under the Food Act 2014. You are required to have the same license as a bricks and mortar business would.

The most common registrations I have come across for food trucks are:

If your business does not fit into one of those check out What kind of food control plan and registration does my food business need for more details on where you fit.

2. Where can I trade?

The registration covers your business for selling food directly to the public. However, it does not allow you to just rock up anywhere and trade. Although each Council can have slightly different rules I can say, after working with a wide range of New Zealand Councils, that some things are fairly standard.

• Catering for private events: Your food registration allows you to provide your services at private catered events.
• Public Events: In the majority of areas you do not need special permission from the Council to trade at local markets and events. You will have to get permission from the event organiser and there may be a fee attached to that.
• On private land: You need permission from the owner of the land to trade. There may be zoning restrictions associated with certain areas so it is important to check this one with the Council.
• Public land (including parks, reserves, sportsgrounds and carparks): Every Council has their own bylaws around trading in public places. Some areas will require a special license called a ‘hawkers’ license, others may have complete bans or heavy restrictions. It is important to check this one with all Council areas you wish to trade in.
• Different Council areas: You do not need a full registration for every Council you would like to drive your food truck to. The above rules apply. Have your registration handy in your truck.

3. Can I add a food truck to my existing Restaurant?

Yes. A food truck will be considered part of the registration of your restaurants existing registration and Food Control Plan. However, there are some things that you will need to take care of before you set off to your first market;

• You will need to add your food truck to your existing Food Control Plan, including a floor plan.
• Your food truck will need its own copy of both the Food Control Plan and record keeping system so staff can keep all of the records required.
• You will need to submit a change to your Food Control Plan with your local council. As with all things Council there will likely be a charge associated with this.

It is important to note that there are some restrictions. The above assumes your food truck is going to be selling the same food as you are in your restaurant. If you are planning on doing something completely different then flick me a message on anna@foodcontrolplans.co.nz so I can give you some tailormade advice.

4. What does my food truck need?

A food truck is simply a micro food business, as such it generally runs according to the same requirements as any food business. However, there are a few things you need to consider.

• Water: you will need to have enough clean water on-site for washing hands, making food, cleaning equipment and washing surfaces. If you are taking water into your mobile shop it must be from a registered supplier or undergo testing. You will also need to have enough waste water storage to cope with all the fresh water you are carting (and have a plan for dumping it responsibly).
• Handwashing facilities: you will need a separate sink for handwashing, just as any food business does.
• Cooling and heating facilities: how are you going to keep the food you are serving at the required temperature? You do not necessarily need fancy equipment, but you do need to follow the same food safety requirements as any food business. 

• A thorough cleaning plan: Just like any space selling food you need to ensure your truck is clean and hygienic. For more information around how to prepare for your verification click here.

5. What are the costs involved?

Once you have your food truck and all the necessary equipment it is important to budget appropriately for your compliance. Below are the main areas you will need to cover in order to get trading;

• Registration Fee: The cost of this varies depending on the Council you are registering with, these are anywhere between $100 and $500. If you already have a registration and are adding a food truck then it will be only a change to current registration that has to be paid for rather than a full registration.
• Verification: This is the audit that takes place after you are registered. Depending on the type of registration you have this may be completed by the Council EHO or an independent verifier. Independent verifiers do cost significantly more and in a lot of cases you do not have a choice. Check with your Council or flick me a message for more details specific to your business.
• Hawkers License: Not required by all council areas. Check with your local Council first.
• Vehicle registrations: Don’t forget that your food truck will need to be registered and warranted as a road worthy vehicle.

If you would like to discuss anything raised in this article I would be happy to discuss it! Flick me an email on anna@foodcontrolplans.co.nz or click below to book a 15 minute chat.