There will be more food and drink options at select public parks across the city this summer.
City council approved on Thursday to pilot a park mobile vending program that would see food trucks and carts permitted to operate in more park locations across the city.
“The program’s goal is to expand the availability of food and beverage offerings in select park locations while ensuring that all vendors operate under a consistent and coordinated City-managed framework,” city staff said in their report.
They noted that the sale of alcohol and other non-food-related items or services will not be included in the program.
The current vending model is fragmented, with the park staff issuing permits directly to a limited number of locations, while in other locations, such as High Park, Centre Island and Woodbine Beach, it is managed through food and beverage licence agreements anchored by restaurants.
Staff also pointed out that operating hours, service levels and oversight vary based on licence type and public awareness of permitted vending parks is limited under the current model.
The pilot program will be city-coordinated, which will address the gaps and address public demand for more food and beverage options in parks.
The program is expected to operate between June 25 and Oct. 12, and the vendors selected will operate primarily during daytime and early evening hours.
Staff will consult with councillors who opt in on which parks are suitable for the program. In the report, they listed some criteria, including availability of washrooms, identified gaps in existing food and beverage services, park size, usage patterns and access to suitable infrastructure.
During Thursday’s meeting, some councillors expressed concerns about the pilot, especially when it comes to litter.
“It really concerns me that this will cause even a bigger problem in some of these parks that we do have issues, existing issues,” Coun. Frances Nunziata said. “And the litter was one of the biggest issues for me, too, because right now we’re constantly sending emails to staff that there’s garbage in our parks.”
Coun. Josh Matlow welcomed the pilot, even introducing a motion to create a park kiosk in his ward of Toronto-St. Paul’s.
“We gotta loosen up a little bit,” Matlow said, citing other big cities around the world having different food vending options in parks.
“I’m asking Toronto to finally just, like, look around the world and see how much fun we can have and how creative we can be and how many options we can have and how vibrant our city can be.”
“Let’s be a big city. Let’s not be envious of what other big cities do. Let’s be the city we want to be,” he added.
Mayor Olivia Chow also supported the pilot, saying it will support the local economy and create more opportunities for small business owners.
“Some of our most loved parks don’t have many food options nearby. And if you’re spending an afternoon with your kids or your grandkids this summer, you will have access to good local food right where you are,” Chow said.
Vendors will have to pay a fee of $2,812.63, which staff said will support cost recovery. The fee is comparable to other jurisdictions, they said.
Staff said first-year revenues “are expected to be modest and will be used to support program delivery.”
