Ottawa s New Street Food Vending Program

Transcription

1 Ottawa s New Street Food Vending Program 2013 Information Package What you need to know... Application Deadline: Friday, January 4, 2013 at 4:30pm Application may be submitted by: o bylawservices@ottawa.ca o Mail: The Business License Centre, 2 nd floor, 735 Industrial Ave, Ottawa, ON, K1G 5J1 o In person: The Business License Centre Successful applicants will be offered spaces between January 14 February 15, New Street Food Vending Initiative City Council has approved that up to 20 new food cart or truck spaces be established for The goal of this initiative is to increase the diversity of food offered on City streets. 2. Selection Process An impartial Street Food Selection Panel made up of volunteer representatives from The Ontario Restaurant, Hotel & Motel Association (ORHMA), The Ottawa Branch of the Canadian Culinary Federation, Savour Ottawa, Just Food and Ottawa Public Health will evaluate applications. The selection criteria are based on the proposed menu, business plan, level of vendor experience and overall contribution to Ottawa s street food scene. For more information about the selection criteria, see page 5. Shaping our future together Ensemble, formons notre avenir Business License Centre By-law & Regulatory Services Emergency & Protective Services 735 Industrial Ave Ottawa ON K1G 5J1 Centre de permis d'entreprise Services des règlements municipaux Services de protection et d urgence 735, ave Industrial Ottawa ON K1G 5J1

2 3. Approved Food Items Beyond Public Health regulations related to food handling and storage, there are currently no restrictions on the types of food that may be sold on the street. However, the New Street Food Initiative is encouraging ethnically diverse and innovative menu offerings. As such, be creative and consider using a variety of healthy, fresh and local ingredients. 4. Vending Locations A list of available designated spaces will be available on or before December 7, Only one space will be allocated to a successful applicant. Please review the locations and identify your top 5 preferred vending locations on your application. Offers of a space will be made based on the availability of space and the score the application receives from the Selection Panel. 5. Fees On-street food vendors require a mobile refreshment vehicle or cart business license and designated space permit issued by the City. The total annual fee for a cart ranges from $1,372 to $ 2,178 and from $4,703 to $6,748 for a truck. The breakdown of these fees is as follows: Annual Business License Fee 6 Month Business License Fee Carts: $564 Trucks: $2,981 Carts: $393 Trucks: $1,945 Annual Designated Space Permit Fee Cart (Downtown Core): $1,614 Truck (Downtown Core): $3,767 Cart (Outside Core): $808 Truck (Outside Core): $1, General Requirements It is recommended that Applicants not purchase refreshment vehicles or carts or insurance for the purposes of vending on City streets before receiving approval from the Selection Panel and receive the offer of a designated space. Any purchase of these items prior to receiving approval from the City for vending on City streets is at the applicant s sole and complete risk. After receiving approval from the Selection Panel, new food truck and cart vendors will require a mobile refreshment vehicle or cart business license and an annual designated space permit to operate on designated space issued by the City of Ottawa. Permits and business licenses are issued annually and expire on May 15 th. After the initial issuance of your permit and license you are required to renew your permit and business license within the renewal period of April 15 th to May 15 th each year. Page 2 of 6

3 7. What is a Sidewalk Refreshment Cart? A sidewalk refreshment cart is a hand-powered vehicle that is no greater than 3 metres in length (10 feet), by 1.2 metres in width (4 feet), by 2.5 metres in height (8 feet). 8. What is a Roadway Refreshment Truck? A roadway refreshment truck is a motor-powered vehicle, not a trailer, which is no greater than 10 metres in length (33 feet), by 2.6 metres in width (8.5 feet), by 4.3 metres in height (14 feet). 9. Refreshment Carts and Trucks must: be clean and sanitary at all times be in compliance with size regulations be in safe and stable condition and state of good repair have recycling and trash receptacles outside of the unit have a trade name written on both sides of vehicle/cart with letters no smaller than 7cm in height be removed from City streets during non operating hours (11PM-5:30AM) not be left unattended for longer than 30 minutes during operating hours In addition, all licensees and permit holders must: dispose of grease and water in accordance with all laws & regulations; and, ensure trash/recyclables resulting from the vending activity are collected and removed from the vending area before leaving for the day. 11. Street Vending Insurance Information As a condition of being issued a mobile refreshment vehicle or cart license, you are required to obtain and maintain General Commercial Liability Insurance coverage which meets the following requirements: insurance for Public Liability and Property Damage for vehicles with a limit of not less than $2,000,000 per occurrence insurance for Public Liability and Property Damage for carts with a limit of not less than $1,000,000 per occurrence the City of Ottawa is named as an additional insured the policy must contain an endorsement to provide the City with 30 days prior notice of cancellation or change that would diminish coverage A mobile refreshment vehicle or cart license will not be issued until sufficient proof of insurance has been received and approved. Page 3 of 6

4 New Street Food Vending Application Instructions Step 1. Submit the following by 4:30PM on January 4, 2013: Completed New Street Food Application Form The required information as specified on page 5 and any additional information as described on page 6 (clearing labelling each page with your name) Submit all documents by to Bylawservices@ottawa.ca, by mail or in-person to the Business License Centre, 2 nd floor, 735 Industrial Ave, Ottawa ON K1G 5J1 The Selection Panel will review applications and allocate a vending space based on the availability of the space and on the applicant s score as assigned by the Street Food Selection Panel. The review of applications and allocation process will occur from January 7 to February 15, Successful applicants will be invited to proceed to Step 2 on or before February 15, Step 2. Upon approval from the Selection Panel, submit the following: Proof of age (at least 18 years of age) A recent colour photograph of the refreshment vehicle or cart The maximum dimensions of the mobile refreshment vehicle or cart Current vehicle registration, if operating a food truck The type of heating and cooking equipment used All other equipment to be used in the business The make, model, style and serial number of the vehicle or cart Proof of insurance (page 3) Proof of Food Handler Certification Proof of Health Inspection Certificate. Please contact Public Health at 311 to arrange for an inspection Copy of propane inspection certificate, where applicable License and permit fees payable to the City of Ottawa Step 3. Arrange for a vehicle or cart inspection: Once you have been informed that you have successfully met the requirements of Step 2 please schedule your final inspection through By-law and Regulatory Services Branch by contacting Officer Jacqueline Mundy at EXT or by at jacqueline.mundy@ottawa.ca to arrange your on-site inspection. If approved, your license and permit will be issued and you are ready to open for business! Page 4 of 6

5 New Street Food Vending Selection Criteria The Street Food Selection Panel will use the criterion below to evaluate applications. Please provide information and supporting documentation (as required). Criteria Points Required Information 1. Business Plan & Experience Business plan 20 Provide a business plan including information on the following: business profile and the marketing, operational (including staffing) and financial plan. Applicant s qualification & experience 15 Provide a resume or description of previous business experience, experience in food service industry, street vending or related. Provide evidence of Food Handler certification or future intention to attend this training. Unit design & commissary details 2. Menu and Contribution to Ottawa s Food Scene 15 Describe the proposed cart or truck and the commissary (where food will be prepared if not just in truck or on cart) including photos, layouts and design of the unit. * It is not recommended that you purchase a vending unit and/or enter into an agreement with a commissary until you have been assigned a designated space. Menu Diversity & Innovation 40 Provide the menu with item descriptions and price. Explain how the menu/concept reflects the diversity of our City and will contribute to Ottawa s street food scene. Also provide details on environmental impact and the use of healthy, fresh and local ingredients. * Please note that significant changes to the menu must be reapproved by the Selection Panel. Overall Readiness/Participation TOTAL SCORE Describe how quickly the operation can be up and running and the proposed months, days and hours of operation. Note: A total score of at least 70 points is required to pass the evaluation process. Applicants will be offered one of 20 designated spaces being allocated for 2013 based on highest score and the availability of spaces. Page 5 of 6

6 Additional Information The more information you provide, the better the Street Food Selection Panel will be able to assess your application. Consider providing recipes, images of your menu and nutritional information. Do you plan on using social media? Include whatever relevant information you think may persuade the selection panel to choose you! Tips Keep in mind that starting a mobile food vending business can be expensive. Given the costs, do some research into what other vendors in other cities are doing. Try to determine what has made them successful. For example, big windows make food trucks more approachable and a clean working station attracts customers to food carts. Consumer trends also indicate a growing appetite for more nutritious, local and ethnically diverse fare. Remember that the purpose of this initiative is to increase the diversity of food on City streets and raise the profile of Ottawa s food scene. So let your imagination run wild and have fun formulating your menu! We wish you success with regards to your application. Contact Information Department Information Contact Information Licensing, Permits & Markets Initiative Details & General Enquiries Phone: EXT bylawservices@ottawa.ca In person: 2nd floor at 735 Industrial Ave. Public Health Health Phone: 311 Invest Ottawa Business Planning Christine Evans ext: 253 cevans@investottawa.ca Page 6 of 6