Southern California Mobile Food Vendors Association

For the past three weeks, I’ve been waiting to get a meeting with LaBonge’s office. Erin Glenn of the Luncheros organization (traditional taco truck advocate) was promised by LaBonge’s staff that he would meet with us before attempting to push through any motion. So you can imagine how surprised I was when Zach Behrens of LAist.com called me for a quote yesterday for a post.

I quickly realized that the motion that looked to prohibit trucks from parking at meters wasn’t going to go very far. California Vehicle code 22455 has been strictly construed by the California Court of Appeals. It says that “municipalities may regulate the parking of such vehicles (referring to lunch trucks) provided that they do not prohibit such vending (this is a prohibition) and provided that the purpose of such regulation furthers ‘public safety’ (this does not further public safety).

My real issue with the motion is that we (truck advocates in LA) were promised a meeting. We have continually reached out to the City to show that we want to work with them to find resolutions to issues affecting the industry. In return we get bypassed and a silly motion that has no chance of passing gets introduced by Tom LaBonge and seconded by Paul Koretz (of course).

So now the fight begins. They must think that the people who frequent the trucks are not the type to complain. Our successful campaign against Koretz should have been an indication of how passionate people are about delicious food at reasonable prices.

Please help us push back. I would love to see their email boxes full when they return on Monday.  Please CC me on emails to the City. matt(at)socalmfva.com

Here is a link to an example email.

Email Koretz, LaBonge and Staff

Email Paul Koretz and Staff

Email Tom Labonge and Staff

Please sign our petition

Please join our Facebook Page

Phone numbers for their offices:
Tom LaBonge (213) 485-3337
Paul Koretz: 213-473-7005

It’s the weekend, so lets fill their phone message box so they have something to do on Monday.

Thank you for your help.

Matt Geller
CEO
SoCalMFVA

Duarte High School is having a Gourmet Food Truck Fair on June 26th from 11am-6pm.  The event is $5 and it raises money for a school field trip. Finally, the East Side get’s their own Food Truck Event.  Surfer Taco, Del’s Lemonade, The Buttermilk truck, Tropical Shave Ice, La Galette Creperie, Flying Pig, Fresh Fries, Slice Truck, and Komodo Food (we may add more) will be dispensing their delicious eats.  Parking is FREE and plentiful.

Congratulations Betsy Butler for winning the Democratic primary.  We appreciate your support for the food truck industry!   http://laist.com/2010/06/09/food_trucks_candidate_wins_primary.php

Things have been busy at the SoCal Mobile Food Vendors’ Association.  The Silver Lake Jubilee was an amazing success and we would like to thank the Los Angeles Arts and Athletics Alliance (LAAAA) for including the SoCalMFVA.  The LAAAA did a great job with the organization, promotion and logistics of such a huge event.  Jack Martinez (LAAAA) pulled it all together.  I hope we get to work with them again next year.

We’ve got lots on Sunset. West Hollywood has decided to allow trucks in their great city for the first time in six years.  They will be positioned down Sunset Blvd on Saturday evenings from 8pm-12pm.  Schedule. The numbers next to the trucks on the schedule represent the address where they will be.

The Little Tokyo lot on Judge John Aiso St. will be open mid June… PROMISE!

I need your help! The Association is backing Betsy Butler.  We believe in her and she is a strong supporter of the Food Truck movement.  She has been unfairly attacked by some really unsavory groups: –read – The election for the 53rd Assembly District is on June 8th.  If you live in the District, please vote.  If you don’t, please help us get the word out via Facebook, twitter and word of mouth.

I was at the National Restaurant Association’s convention in Chicago this past weekend.  One thing is clear, food trucks are sweeping the nation and Los Angeles is the envy of every city.  I sat on a panel with Ludo Lefebvre, Aaron Novashen (food truck operator SF), Mary Sue Milliken (Border Grill), Tiffany Kurtz (Cupcake truck- Chicago), and Ray Villaman (Mobi Munch).  We discussed the growing popularity and some of the regulatory hurdles.  It was a great time.

Thanks for supporting the food truck movement.

Matt

picture from Chef Phillip Foss