Toronto a La Cart, a healthy, sustainable food vendor in Toronto, ON

Mobile food vendors can bring healthy, locally sourced, sustainable, and delicious food choices to neighborhoods where fast food may be the only option. It's also a great way to work outside, meet your customers, and enjoy supporting healthy diets.

1. What is a sustainable mobile food vendor?
Sustainable mobile food vendors offer a selection of healthy, organic snacks and simple meals with low carbon footprints through a mobile cart. These businesses can provide a healthy alternative to fast food and vending machines in underserved communities, as well as near schools, workplaces, and other locations where healthy food is hard to find.

There is growing interest in these businesses as a means to achieve healthier populations, especially in underserved locations where healthy food, farmers' markets, and/or organic grocers are sparse or non-existent. New York City passed a resolution increasing the number of mobile food vendor permits it would grant, with the caveat that these vendors may only sell fresh, whole foods that were healthy and sustainable into neighborhoods where those items are not readily available. The city of San Francisco issued an executive order in July 2009 to a similar end, requiring that in granting mobile food vendor permits, the city must either require the sale of healthy and sustainably produced food or give preference to those who do. Similar initiatives will likely follow in many other cities, as the link between health of citizens and access to healthy food has become virtually undeniable.

Ones we like:
Toronto a la Cart - Toronto, ON
Food for Smile - Orlando, FL
Kara's Cupcakes' KaraVan - San Francisco, CA

2. What required knowledge or skills are necessary?
There are no formal educational or training requirements for this job. However, the work is strenuous and requires that the worker be able to be on their feet for extended periods of time, be capable of preparing a diversity of foods, and be able to lift up to 25 pounds and potentially push a cart over curbs, up ramps or around debris.

Food for Smile, a vegan mobile food vendor in Orlando, FL

3. How much money is required to start?
$ (on a scale of $ to $$$$$)

4. What is the income potential?
$$ (on a scale of $ to $$$$$)

5. What is the best location for a sustainable mobile food vendor?
Urban (best), semi-urban (very good), suburbs (very good), rural (fair).

6. Three best questions to ask yourself to find out if this business is right for you (if you can answer yes to all three, this business might be for you):

Interested in starting one in your community? Where do you begin? What permits do you need? Who are your target customers? How do you find them? What is the best use of your limited advertising dollars? What's the best way to attract a great employee or volunteer? What does an average day look like? What strategic tips do veteran eco-entrepreneurs suggest for startups like you?

There's a lot to think about, but rest easy! Our mission is to help you succeed, so set up a free half hour consultation with Scott Cooney, GBO's Principal, and author of Build a Green Small Business (McGraw-Hill). You may also order a free (S&H only) copy of Scott's book by clicking on the picture of the book cover below.