City Council President Stacy Head and Good Work Network Host Central City Food Truck Fest

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Danielle A. Viguerie
Director, Communications and Community Outreach
Office of Councilmember-at-Large Stacy Head
Phone: (504) 658-1063
Email: daviguerie@nola.gov

City Council President Stacy Head and Good Work Network Host Central City Food Truck Fest

October 5, 2012 - New Orleans, LA - City Councilmember at Large Stacy Head and Good Work Network are organizing a Central City Food Truck Fest on October 11 from 5:30-7:30 pm. The event, which will showcase several local food truck favorites and music by local musicians, will be on the 2000 block of Oretha Castle Haley Boulevard, on the corner of St. Andrew Street.

Dedicated to promoting small business development, both Councilmember Head and Good Work Network support food trucks, which are often the stepping stones to brick and mortar restaurants. The Councilmember and Good Work Network, in addition to the Food Truck Coalition and others, are studying mobile vending law best practices so that food trucks can thrive within New Orleans, a city internationally known for its diverse cuisine. Prior to the 5:30pm event, a meeting will take place in the Good Work Network offices on OC Haley with all interested parties in order to discuss needed mobile vending law reforms.

In addition, Councilmember Head and Good Work Network are united in their support for the development of OC Haley, a historically commercial thoroughfare. Good Work Network recently renovated the 100 year old Franz Building on OC Haley, from which they operate. The purchase and renovation of this building was designed to return commerce to the corridor in a way that engages and supports, rather than displaces, the community. Councilmember Head continues to encourage and assist business development on OC Haley, much like she did on Freret Street, and has realized success. Current investments on or near OC Haley are over $50 million and include the New Orleans Redevelopment Authority offices and retail spaces, the new site of the Southern Food and Beverage Museum, the newly renovated Café Reconcile and the upcoming Maïs Arepas restaurant.

"This event celebrates food trucks for what they bring to the table - both literally as meals and more metaphorically in terms of small business development. Currently, the mobile vending laws, which were written in 1956, are not aligned with best practices. It is my goal to thoughtfully reform this set of laws in order to support food trucks and the overall restaurant industry of New Orleans, to whom we owe so much," said Councilmember Head.

"Mobile vendors are an excellent way for small business owners to launch their businesses, in addition to bringing commerce back to neighborhoods as they redevelop," said Phyllis Cassidy, the Executive Director of Good Work Network.