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A food fight is guaranteed as Toronto's City Hall, once again, attempts to revise its lethargic street food strategy, with two public consultations for business owners and interested citizens. The cities' invitation states: "The goal is to create a harmonized, city-wide street food vending bylaw that balances the interests of all stakeholders and encourages a vibrant street food experience for the public."
Sound familiar? For years, when it comes to street food (much like bike lanes), Toronto has dragged its heels with tepid verve. When asked about its limp À La Cart programme, a former vendor said: "I feel like I'm going to vomit."
@TorontoComms You guys should discuss it OUTSIDE over a meal of street-food. #TOpoli
— Truman (@SnidelyBacklash) January 9, 2014
Will street food vendors cater the consultations?
Truly maddening how long this is taking! MT @TorontoComms consults w/ public on street food http://t.co/bUXgsL4jBm #foodtruckeats #topoli
— yyzgirl (@yyzgirl) January 9, 2014
YYZ Girl is really, really mad.
@TorontoComms Toronto is sick of consultations. Just let it happen for shit sakes.
— Cndns Who Are Fed Up (@CWAFU) January 9, 2014
Everyone is fed up and the city must be feeling the heat. Last summer, Zane Caplansky, proprietor of Caplansky's Delicatessen, and food truck operator, wrote a scathing assessment of the cities' street food and food truck policies. This time around, much like Nicholas Cage's acting choices, Toronto residents can only hope the right decisions are made. The first of two consultations begins tomorrow from 6-8 p.m., at City Hall, 100 Queen St. W., Committee Room 1.
· @TorontoComms [Twitter]
· @SnidelyBacklash [Twitter]
· @yyzgirl [Twitter]
· @CWAFU [Twitter]
· Toronto's food trucks driven into the ditch [Toronto Star]
· Why Toronto's street food program is in shambles [Toronto Star]