Food Carts vs Food Trucks

Cart

• Hold hot and/or cold foods for immediate service
• No preparation on the cart
• Cooking limited to pre-formed meats (hamburgers, bratwurst, …)
• Generally open-air

Truck/Trailer

• Cooking, holding hot and/or cold, reheating, and serving food
• May have food preparation
• Fully enclosed

Requirements

• Separately licensed Service Base (see below)
• Smooth, non-absorbent, and easy to clean surfaces
• Commercial grade equipment
• A non-hand operated hand washing sink with hot and cold water
• 3 or 4 compartment  ware washing sink (on vehicle and/or in service base)
• Water storage tank constructed of 14-guage metal or other durable food grade material
  • Minimum fresh water tank sizing
    • Push cart - 5 gallons
    • Truck/trailer with no food prep or ware washing- 10 gallons
    • Truck/trailer with food prep or ware washing - 40 gallons
• Wastewater storage tank must at least 15% larger than freshwater tank and constructed of approved materials
• Adequate ventilation and fire extinguishing equipment
• If food preparation is occurring, an air-gapped food preparation sink

Service Base

A permanent facility to accommodate the mobile food establishment as an operating base it returns to on a regular basis for such things as vehicle and equipment cleaning, discharging liquid or solid wastes, refilling water tanks and ice bins, and storing food or other supplies.  Requirements:

• Approved water source
• Approved wastewater disposal system
• Smooth, non-absorbent, and easily cleanable surfaces
• Commercial grade equipment for food preparation, utensil washing, and storage needs (dependent on operation) such as:
  • Adequate non-hand operated handwashing facilities
  • 3 or 4 compartment ware washing sink
  • Air-gapped food preparation sink
• Adequate ventilation and fire extinguishing equipment

Note:  Additional requirements may apply depending on the business plan and menu for the mobile cart or truck/trailer.  It is also advised to contact municipalities where food will be sold to inquire about other necessary permits or approvals.

Mobile Retail Food Establishment Handout