Unlicensed food vendors have their fans, many of whom take to social media to pronounce that they care more about the taste of a taco than whether sellers wash their hands. Or use adequate refrigeration. Or pay minimum wage to workers.
But rogue food trucks pose a threat not only to public health, but to the fragile restaurant economy that can’t compete with rule-breakers.
The Seattle City Council is taking notice, just as a new statewide restaurant organization demands action.
As reported by Times writer Jackie Varriano, a coalition of more than 200 Washington restaurant owners is asking state and county officials to crack down on unpermitted food vendors, which have proliferated in record numbers around King County in the last two years.
Washington State Restaurant Fair Play Coalition is petitioning various county health departments, city council members and the governor’s office to address the issue. Last month, the coalition called on King County officials and others, listing 28 locations where allegedly unpermitted taco vendors regularly operate.
As Varriano reported, more than 180 unpermitted vendors were cited this year in King County through Oct. 31, beating last year’s record full tally of 119 violations.
You’ve probably noticed them outside stadiums or in busy business districts or parks: food vendors selling everything from hot dogs to tacos, as well as pop-up tents with corn, fruit drinks and other snacks.
West Seattle illustrates the challenge.
On a summer day, there can be two dozen illegal vendors along Alki Avenue Southwest.
The West Seattle Blog reported that Mayor Bruce Harrell heard concerns about food trucks in a neighborhood visit last May. The vendors block beach access and take customers away from the year-round bricks-and-mortar businesses. Other complaints include blocking disabled parking spots, crowding bike lanes and blasting local restaurants with music.
A measure sponsored by Seattle Councilmember Rob Saka and supported by five other council members would direct a comprehensive policy review on the city’s approach to licensing and enforcement of unpermitted vending. The mayor’s budget would include $1.8 million in new funding to support unlicensed vending enforcement.
In a statement to the editorial board, the Seattle Restaurant Association wrote that the organization “supports the City Council’s commitment to public health through food safety enforcement. We appreciate efforts to engage and educate unpermitted vendors, and we fully support resourcing departments to uphold the food code.”
Unlicensed food is no joke. Upholding public health codes is the right public policy, and one which officials at all levels of government ought to vigorously pursue.
