Gilroy launching temporary food truck pilot program

GILROY, Calif. (KION-TV) - The city of Gilroy is adopting a temporary pilot program aimed at regulating and expanding mobile and local food vending in the area. 

This is part of an updated ordinance passed in 2023. 

Under new city rules, food truck operators must have a vending permit, a health permit from the county, and a valid business license.

They also need to follow rules on cleanliness, walkway access, and trash disposal.

The city is also testing temporary use permits allowing trucks to operate in designated areas for a limited time.

"There was hundreds and hundreds of comments from community members saying, we want this type of variety, we want a different experience," said Rebeca Armendariz, a community advocate.

After a rough last few weeks, the owner of Tortillería el Buen Maíz, Antonio Lopez, is glad he can now return back into town.

"It makes us happy because here, where we are located, we are a little bit far away, so people don’t come," said Lopez.

He and several other food trucks stationed themselves right outside of Gilroy city limits to avoid strict new regulations that made operating almost impossible.

"It required them to move every 10 minutes. It had background checks. Fingerprinting, just a lot of cumbersome regulations and things that weren't going to work for our food truck vendors," said Armendariz.

It's not just food truck owners who are happy with the city's reversed decision.

"I feel like we've made some good compromises and the city kind of made the right choice there and bringing them back and trying to reintroduce them safely and smartly," said Matthew Gallion, owner of Pour Me Tap Room.

The city on Monday decided to move forward with a pilot program that creates a clearer path for permits and designated locations for food trucks to operate.

"They will not be allowed on Monterey Street, but they will be allowed on some side streets and some designated areas like our Gourmet Alley, which was recently revamped. Looks really good and is a perfect spot for some of these food truck vendors to park and offer their food," said Armendariz.

Lopez says he is counting down the days he can move from this isolated corner, back into the crowds.

“I think that by next week, God willing, from Monday onwards, we will move and I hope people continue to buy," said Lopez.

The pilot program runs through December.