NSVI-Birmingham

Birmingham, AL

	Download: Seven Myths and Realities About Food Trucks: Why the Facts Support Food-Truck Freedom

Food Trucks Unite to Form Greater Birmingham Food Truck Coalition

Food trucks from across Birmingham are announcing the formation of a new organization, the Greater Birmingham Street Food Coalition.   The coalition is a group of culinary entrepreneurs who seek to promote and protect the street food industry, through modern and clear regulations that allow food trucks and carts to operate free of anti-competitive restrictions that threaten to shut down their businesses in order to protect existing restaurants from competition.  The Coalition will serve as a single point of contact for local government officials, brick-and-mortar restaurants, and members of the public to foster and maintain positive relations.

In response to the growing popularity of food trucks in Birmingham, the City Council has introduced an ordinance that would effectively shut down the growing and welcome scene.  Provisions in the current proposal include a 230-foot proximity restriction around existing brick-and-mortar restaurants; arbitrary restrictions on hours of operation; and excessively restrictive zones.  These provisions have nothing to do with protecting the public’s health and safety, but instead are designed to protect established businesses from competition—an unconstitutional use of government power.  Such laws have routinely been struck down by courts.

The Coalition has proposed its own draft ordinance, which limits itself to protecting the public’s health and safety, with one major concession:  it proposes that food trucks are prohibited from operating directly in front of a restaurant.

Read what Rom Mendez, owner of Cantina on Wheels, has to say about the city's current proposal.

Support their efforts by liking them on Facebook.

IJ releases statement on behalf of Birmingham food trucks.

On December 6, 2012, The Institute for Justice (IJ) and its National Street Vending Initiative sent the mayor and city council its views about the proposed regulations. 

Download the Institute for Justice’s comments in PDF form

Want a FREE “Legalize Street Food” sticker for your food truck or cart?  Email activism@ij.org. Make sure to include whether you'd like a slate gray or sangria colored decal.