Food Trucks Given Green Light In City Of Camden

CAMDEN, NJ — A pilot food truck ordinance recently adopted by the city of Camden provides multiple benefits, a Camden County Commissioner told Patch.

The first is providing residents and visitors to the city of Camden with new dining options, Camden County Commissioner Al Dyer told Patch on Wednesday.

"As we’ve seen the proliferation of food trucks as a viable alternative to brick and mortar restaurants we know that some of the nation’s premier chefs have started out in these vehicles building a brand and concepts that would be cost-prohibitive otherwise in leasing or owning property," he said.

"We are [also] now providing a gateway for new entrepreneurs to turn exciting food concepts into a reality in the city sparking more creativity and opportunity for aspiring restaurateurs," Dyer added.

Seven annual food truck licenses are available for the following "high-pedestrian traffic" locations, according to Camden County:

• Federal Street at 5th Street
• Second Street at Cooper Street
• Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard at Broadway.
• Park Boulevard between Kaighn Avenue and Baird Boulevard.
• Federal Street between 30th and 33rd streets.
• Morgan Boulevard at Ninth Street.
• Waterfront area.

Another license is being held for an area or areas deemed appropriate by the City's Director of the Bureau of Inspections and Licenses, officials said.

"The city can also issue one- to three-day special events food truck licenses," Dyer said.

Most food truck vendors will have to pay a license fee of $189.40, the city ordinance read. The only exceptions are those who qualify under New Jersey Statute 45:24-29. Generally speaking, this statute applies to New Jersey residents who have been "honorably discharged" from the military or those who are New Jersey residents and belong to a volunteer fire department.

There will also be an administrative charge of $414 charged to each vending unit or truck, the ordinance stated.

The application and additional information relating to the food truck licenses are available on the City of Camden website at ci.camden.nj.us/food-truck-permit. For more information, call
856-757-7131 or email MaPoveda@ci.camden.nj.us.

The deadline for filing an application for an annual Food Truck License is June 23, officials said. Preference for awarding licenses will be given to Camden-based businesses and certified New Jersey minority-owned, veteran-owned and small businesses, officials continued.

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