New Albany street food, food truck flap to be examined

The New Albany municipal government took an awkward first step last week toward making “street food” a reality in the city.

The draft ordinance. providing for highly restrictive regulation of what the ordinance called “food trucks,” was offered for consideration at the city board’s June 2^nd meeting.

A storm – really a squabble – of comments on “social media” became the topic du jour as hundreds of New Albany residents became aware of the proposed ordinance through an article written by J. Lynn West and posted June 5^thon NEMISS.NEWS. As often happens on social media, a few thousand words of heated rhetoric created more chaos than clarity.

Next Monday, June 15^th, NEMISS.NEWS will publish information, nearly all of it taken directly from the public record, about who did and said what, a sort of comedy of errors really, that gave the idea of food trucks a flawed launch in New Albany.

However, it’s all fixable. Food trucks, push carts, street food by whatever name could turn out to be a major benefit to every resident and every visitor to New Albany. The only thing that could ruin it would be excessive restrictions imposed by city government.

“Street food,” food purchased at moderate prices from mobile vendors is a growing trend around America. Some have observed that it is especially popular with “Millennials,” which is true. However, it is popular with all age and social groups, because it is inexpensive, convenient, tasty and fun.

In many cities it is especially popular with traditional “brick and mortar” retailers, because it draws people. Shoppers can “graze” on nachos, hot dogs, pizza slices, loaded baked potatoes, wraps, gyros, cookies and other desserts, fresh squeezed juices – the variety of possibilities is unlimited – while window shopping and deciding where to spend their money.

In the meantime, NEMISS.NEWS readers may enjoy an article by the History Channel people about the long history of street food in the United States and why it is growing in popularity. Here’s the link:

https://www.history.com/news/from-chuck-wagons-to-pushcarts-the-history-of-the-food-truck