The Washington, DC Food Trucks Association (DCFTA) today announced its support for Mayor Vincent Gray’s proposed new vending regulations and asked the District to quickly pass the new rules.

“Overall, the proposed regulations are a significant improvement to the current rules,” said Che Ruddell-Tabisola, Executive Director of the Washington, DC Food Trucks Association. “We are asking our followers and fans to express their support for the proposed rules to the District before February 18, when the public comment period concludes.”

However, Ruddell-Tabisola said, the proposed rules also contain regulations that need to be addressed to ensure that they do not threaten new and innovative small businesses in the District

•  Limiting Sweets Trucks to 10 Minutes: The proposed regulations allow dessert trucks to be open for only 10 minutes if there are no waiting customers. Sweets food trucks should be allowed to be open as long as savory food trucks.

•  Zoning of Food Trucks: The new regulations propose to create Vending Development Zones. The goals of these zones are worthy. However, Vending Development Zones must not be manipulated by special interest to create “Food Truck-Free Zones” that eliminate consumer choice or fair competition.

• Shorter Hours for Food Trucks Than for Restaurants: The proposed regulations require food trucks to close at 10 pm on weekdays and 1 am on weekends. Food trucks should be allowed to be open the same hours as restaurants.

“We’re grateful to Mayor Gray and the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs for their proposed new regulations to keep food trucks open and serving the District of Columbia,” Ruddell-Tabisola said. “The DCFTA is dedicated to working in partnership with the District to enact food truck regulations that protect public health and safety, promote businesses and ensure the best interest of the consumer.”

Ruddell-Tabisola was elected January 31 to serve as the DCFTA’s Executive Director, which is a volunteer position.