Long Beach’s Sidewalk to Success to Offer Free Food Carts for Eligible Vendors

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PRESS RELEASE

Long Beach, CA - The City of Long Beach has launched the next phase of its Sidewalk to Success program and is now accepting applications for its food cart giveaway initiative for eligible sidewalk vendors. The Sidewalk to Success program, which provides assistance to achieve compliance while easing the financial burden for small businesses during the first year the City's Sidewalk Vending Ordinance is in effect, will provide up to 40 free carts to local sidewalk food vendors who meet eligibility requirements.

"The Sidewalk to Success program has supported our local micro businesses with important financial incentives and resources that will help them better serve our community," said Mayor Rex Richardson. "Through this next step of our program, we will offer eligible sidewalk vending entrepreneurs in our city the boost they need to get their business off the ground."

Applicants will have a choice among four types of carts, including:

• Fruit carts with coolers (for serving cut fruits).
• Grilled food carts (for serving already cooked meats such as hot dogs, wrapped and labeled burritos or tacos, etc.).
• Tamale carts (for serving prepackaged/hot food).
• Ice cream carts.

To qualify for a free cart, applicants will need to meet all of the following eligibility requirements:

• Live in Long Beach and operate the cart in the city.
• Be a micro business (defined as a business with no more than two full-time employees).
• Only operate one cart, including the cart for which they are applying.
• Complete the business license application.
• Complete the Compact Mobile Food Operation health permit application.

The cart giveaway application is in three parts: the business license form and readiness checklist; the plan submittal checklist and menu; and the final approval checklist. Other forms, such as a restroom agreement, could be required depending on the business plan. More information on how to apply for a free cart and all the application documents are available on the program webpage.

For assistance with Health Permit application requirements, applicants are strongly encouraged to contact the Health Department at 562.570.4132 or [email protected]. Staff from the food permitting program will work with prospective vendors by phone, via video conference or in person in English, Spanish, Khmer, Tagalog and other languages upon request. Those who would like assistance with business license requirements may email [email protected] or call 562.570.7852. Technical assistance is also available through the Economic Development Department's Inclusive Business Navigators Program, which provides free technical assistance, workshops and business coaching/advising services to Long Beach small businesses. Assistance is available in multiple languages at longbeach.gov/biznavigators or by calling BizCare at 562-570.4BIZ (4249) for a referral.

To expand economic opportunities for low- and moderate-income areas, the first three months of the free cart program will prioritize applicants living in designated priority areas that receive Community Development Block Grants funding. Those not living in priority areas are still encouraged to apply early to reserve their place in line when the program opens to all applicants.

The City has allotted $429,500 for cart purchases through the Long Beach Recovery Act. Carts will be issued to qualified applicants on a first-come, first-served basis. Each type of cart has a different price point, and the program will end once funds to purchase carts are exhausted. The actual number of carts purchased and distributed to vendors will depend on the type of carts purchased and program participation.

The cart giveaway program builds upon many other incentives offered to sidewalk vendors through the Sidewalk to Success Program, including covering the costs of business license and health permit fees and providing reimbursements for the first year of insurance costs. To date, 14 vendors have received such financial supports. More information about sidewalk vending, including requirements to vend and financial assistance, is available at longbeach.gov/sidewalkvending.

Sidewalk to Success is made possible by the Long Beach Recovery Act, a plan to fund economic and public health initiatives for Long Beach residents, workers and businesses critically impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Additional information about the Long Beach Recovery Act is available at longbeach.gov/recovery. The program also aligns with Goal 4 of Long Beach's Racial and Reconciliation Initiative to improve health and wellness in the City by eliminating social and economic disparities where health outcomes are significantly below city averages.

About the City of Long Beach
Long Beach is nestled along the Southern California coast and home to approximately 466,000 people. As an award-winning full-service charter city, Long Beach offers the amenities of a metropolitan city while maintaining a strong sense of individual and diverse neighborhoods, culture and community. With a bustling downtown and over six miles of scenic beaches, Long Beach is a renowned tourist and business destination and home to the iconic Queen Mary, nationally recognized Aquarium of the Pacific and Long Beach Airport, award-winning Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center and world-class Port of Long Beach.

For more information about the City of Long Beach, visit longbeach.gov/. Follow us on social to keep up with the latest news: Facebook, X, Instagram and YouTube.

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