Latest news with #foodtrucks
RNZ News
11 hours ago
- Business
- RNZ News
Food truck fight at Christchurch Arts Centre resolved
The Christchurch Arts Centre site has been struggling with funding and more food trucks were seen as one way to increase revenue. Photo: RNZ / Adam Burns A fight for food trucks to remain at the Christchurch Arts Centre has succeeded - but the site will not be home to as many trucks as the centre would have liked. The issue has been contentious amongst business owners in the central city for some time, including when the Christchurch Central Business Association presented an unexpected petition against the Arts Centre's application for 33 food trucks on site last year. The city council has granted the Arts Centre resource consent for 20 food trucks on site, rather than the 33 the Centre had hoped for. The opening hours have also been reduced from the initial application, when it was requested the food trucks be open at least 12 hours a day, seven days a week. Food trucks at the site will now be limited to opening for a maximum of 50 hours a week, but can operate anytime between 10am to 10pm, seven days a week. The site had been struggling with funding and the application for more food trucks was a way to increase revenue. The Arts Centre Trust owns New Zealand's largest collection of heritage buildings - in central Christchurch - on behalf of the city's residents and leases them to creative and commercial tenants to foster the arts and culture. Arts Centre director Philip Aldridge welcomed the decision by the council and said he was grateful it had come to a compromise. "The food trucks generate essential revenue that helps us preserve New Zealand's largest collection of heritage buildings and sustain our role as a thriving centre for the arts," he said. "We have reduced the number of food trucks and limited opening hours - we hope that will be seen as a good compromise." Aldridge said the concerns raised about the food trucks had surprised him, given they had a long history and had been in place for many decades at the Arts Centre. He said the site would look forward to welcoming new food operators. Canterbury Hospitality stalwart Peter Morrison said the decision from the Arts Centre to reduce the number of food trucks on site was a great compromise. "We have to be fair to the Arts Centre and fair to the city's hospitality operators - this is a great way to do that. Christchurch is New Zealand's second largest city and big enough to sustain a variety of hospitality offerings," he said. He said the Arts Centre had hosted food trucks for a very long time and provided a great way for budding hospitality operators to step into the industry. "Some of Christchurch's iconic eateries, including Dimitris Greek Food, began life in an Arts Centre food truck. It is a great pathway into business, particularly for migrant families." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
a day ago
- Business
- RNZ News
Blenheim food truck owners face uncertainty after council buys site
By Kira Carrington, Local Democracy Reporter Peter Blaha, owner of food truck DFC Bakery, hopes to stay on at the High St site that was bought by the Marlborough District Council in May. Photo: LDR / Kira Carrington The owners of several food trucks on a vacant central Blenheim lot are worried they will be turfed out after the land was bought by the Marlborough District Council. The 1147m² property, spanning five titles between High St and Wynen St, beside Te Kahu o Waipuna, was bought by the council in May for $1.8 million. Mayor Nadine Taylor said the site was earmarked for development as a community space, and the council would seek input from the public as it explored options. One of the food truck owners, Peter Blaha of DFC Artisan Bakery, said he was notified by the owner about two weeks before the sale that the land was to be sold. Blaha said he hoped the council would allow them to stay put. "I would be happy if we can make some deal with them," Blaha said. "We are small businesses … You invest your money into [the business]. I feed my family, I pay the taxes as well." The food truck owners like parking up in the space next to Blenheim's new library and art gallery, Te Kahu o Waipuna. Photo: LDR / Kira Carrington Blaha said the council could incorporate the food trucks into a space that would attract more foot traffic to the CBD. He reckoned the lot could fit 100 people. "You can make [some] kind of small market here, even a small festival," Blaha said. Boseong Jeong, owner of food truck Sasa Express, said while she would have to close shortly as she was pregnant, she was also hopeful that a long-term arrangement could be made that allowed her to stay on at the site. Alson Su, owner of Orange Eats, said he had already been given notice to leave. "They told us the latest we could let this place is mid-June," Su said. "We are still waiting for some other places to move over [to]." A council spokesperson said that under the Reserves and Other Public Places Bylaw 2017, nobody could conduct commercial activity on public land without the council's written approval. "When mobile food truck owners have approached council for space in the CBD in the past, these applications have been declined in deference to other rate paying businesses in the CBD," the spokesperson said. "However, in this instance, council is prepared to work with the food truck operators to both understand their previous arrangements and to look at suitable options going forward." Anna Hamman, owner of neighbouring business The Sewing Store, said it would be great if the trucks could stay. "The food trucks have been a welcome addition actually. It's been quite nice knowing that there's a few little local businesses having a spot there." Jay Sirichan hopes a new community development in the empty lot will bring people back into central Blenheim. Photo: LDR / Kira Carrington Jay Sirichan, owner of nearby Japanese restaurant Bento, said the central Blenheim businesses could do with a new attraction. "Business is quite slow. "I would like a new space to make things more interesting for the people in town. "The new library is very good. In the weekend there are a lot of people with their kids. But just, I think it's not enough." * LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Holyoke Farmers' Market kicks off 2025 season
HOLYOKE, Mass. (WWLP) – The Holyoke Farmers' Market is set to launch its 2025 summer season in June, bringing fresh produce, local goods, and community spirit to two outdoor locations each week. Beginning Tuesday, June 10, the Tuesday Outdoor Market will return to the Holyoke Senior Center/Council on Aging at 291 Pine St., operating from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The following day, the market will continue at the Holyoke Medical Center, 575 Beech St., from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Western Mass. school districts receive federal grant funding for healthy meal programs 'We're excited to offer such a diverse array of products and to provide a space where the community can connect with local producers,' said Lisa Totz, Interim Director of the Greater Holyoke Chamber and Market Manager. 'The market reflects our mission to build a thriving local economy and foster meaningful relationships between vendors and customers.' Each week, the market will feature a wide selection of items, including fresh produce, locally raised meat and eggs, mushroom products, and a variety of prepared foods. Baked goods ranging from muffins and cookies to focaccia and rolls will be offered, along with handmade crafts and unique gifts. Adding to the market's appeal, food trucks will rotate throughout the season, offering an array of dining options. The market will also continue to support food accessibility through on-site assistance for SNAP, HIP, and WIC transactions, ensuring that all residents have access to fresh and local food. Vendor applications remain open, and the market encourages participation from businesses offering SNAP-eligible products. Details on vendor fees, payment assistance, and SNAP sales guidance are available through the Greater Holyoke Chamber. Community members are invited to visit the markets weekly and support the region's local producers. More information and vendor applications can be found at WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
New Boston late-night food truck program to launch this summer
This week, food truck owners have the chance to take part in the city's new late-night food truck program. Mayor Michelle Wu says it's going to provide food trucks the opportunity to utilize public sites designated for late-night service. 'My very first efforts in city government working under Mayor Menino focused on improving the restaurant permitting process and launching food trucks in Boston,' said Mayor Wu. 'Fifteen years later, I'm excited to continue creating opportunities for our food businesses and to make our city vibrant, welcoming, and fun. I encourage interested food truck operators to register for the lottery for a chance to operate at a late-night location this summer and fall.' The seven sites are located near hospitals, universities, and nightlife districts. In order to take part, food truck owners must participate in an online lottery, which is happening on Friday, June 6, at 4 PM, and owners must sign up for the lottery before Wednesday. The Office of Nightlife Economy will announce the list of locations and food truck operators after the lottery in June. The Late Night Food Truck season will take place throughout this summer and end in the Fall. This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Moraine celebrates 60 years with festival, rides and music
DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) – The city of Moraine is celebrating its 60th anniversary all day Saturday. The festival is at Wax Park, 3800 Main St., Moraine, and will run from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. The area of Moraine has been under different townships before becoming its own city in 1965. (Including Van Buren and Miami Townships.) It was also briefly a part of the city of Kettering. Springfield residents come together for community cleanup day There is a market of food trucks/craft vendors, carnival rides, live music and a car cruise-in. The rides are free for everyone, but attendees must stop by the ticket booth to sign the liability waiver and obtain their free arm band. Motown Sounds of Touch will perform from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Then, Fleetwood Gold will play from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Photos via Moraine. To learn more about the city of Moraine, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
