Long Beach is moving along with its Sidewalk to Success program and is accepting applications for up to 40 free food carts for eligible vendors.
Carts will be issued to qualified applicants on a first-come, first-served basis. Vendors can apply online.
The Sidewalk to Success program is part of the City’s updated sidewalk and street vendor laws. The program is meant to help vendors achieve compliance while easing some of the financial burden of the requirements.
Other program initiatives include covering the costs of business license and health permit fees and providing reimbursements for the first year of insurance costs. To date, only 14 vendors have received such financial support, according to a statement from the City of Long Beach.
Each type of cart has a different price point, and the program will end once funds to purchase carts are exhausted. The actual number of carts purchased and distributed to vendors will depend on the type of carts purchased and program participation. The City has allotted $429,500 for cart purchases through the Long Beach Recovery Act.
Forty applicants will have a choice among four types of carts:
- Fruit carts with coolers for serving cut fruits
- Grilled food carts for serving already cooked meats such as hot dogs, wrapped and labeled burritos or tacos, etc.
- Tamale carts for serving pre-packaged/hot food
- Ice cream carts
To qualify for a free cart, applicants will need to meet all of the following eligibility requirements:
- Live in Long Beach and operate the cart in the city
- Be a micro business (defined as a business with no more than two full-time employees)
- Only operate one cart, including the cart for which they are applying
- Complete the business license application
- Complete the Compact Mobile Food Operation health permit application
“The Sidewalk to Success program has supported our local micro businesses with important financial incentives and resources that will help them better serve our community,” said Mayor Rex Richardson in a public statement. “Through this next step of our program, we will offer eligible sidewalk vending entrepreneurs in our city the boost they need to get their business off the ground.”
The cart giveaway application is in three parts:
- The business license form and readiness checklist
- The plan submittal checklist and menu
- The final approval checklist
Other forms, such as a restroom agreement, could be required depending on the business plan.
To expand economic opportunities for low and moderate-income areas, the first three months of the free cart program will prioritize applicants living in designated priority areas that receive Community Development Block Grants funding, such as North and Central Long Beach.
Those not living in priority areas are still encouraged to apply early to reserve their place in line when the program opens to all applicants.
For assistance with health permit application requirements, applicants can contact the Health Department at 562.570.4132 or he-sidewalkvending@longbeach.gov. Staff from the food permitting program will work with prospective vendors by phone, via video conference or in person in English, Spanish, Khmer, Tagalog and other languages upon request.
Those who would like assistance with business license requirements should email fm-sidewalkvending@longbeach.gov or call 562-570-7852.
Technical assistance is also available through the Economic Development Department’s Inclusive Business Navigators Program, which provides free technical assistance, workshops and business coaching/advising services to Long Beach small businesses.
Assistance is available in multiple languages at longbeach.gov/biznavigators or by calling BizCare at (562) 570-4BIZ (4249) for a referral.
Related Posts:
