Visitors to Kent’s Town Square Plaza will be among the first to sample the tasty variety offered by mobile food vendors.<\/p>\n
Coinciding with the start of the Kent Farmer’s Market, the city of Kent will roll out a temporary pilot program that will bring food trucks to West Harrison Street, starting June 2 through Sept. 29 on Wednesdays and Saturdays.<\/p>\n
City planners chose this location to give downtown new energy and bring unique food options to the area, according to a city press release. The food truck vendors hope to see a lot of foot traffic from the local courthouse, City Hall, the police department, commuters from the nearby transit station and students from the Green River College campus at Kent Station.<\/p>\n
This new opportunity will run as a pilot program to see if this is a viable location and one that is popular with residents.<\/p>\n
The mobile food vendors will park at designated, signed stalls from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesdays and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays. Depending on the public’s response, food trucks will also be permitted on Thursdays and Fridays.<\/p>\n
“We believe this program will be a fantastic complement to the farmers market, our Parks Department’s summer picnic performances and the water features, all of which are a huge draw during the summer months,” Kent Mayor Dana Ralph said. “It’s exciting to think of residents and visitors patronizing all our downtown establishments; food trucks are a great way to encourage a vibrant community with lots of options.”<\/p>\n
The city has partnered with Curbside Provisions, parent company of SeattleFoodTruck.com, to schedule and manage the vendors.<\/p>\n
Curbside Provisions’ business developer Jonathan Amato says vendors are very enthusiastic about bringing their trucks to Kent.<\/p>\n
“Many of our vendors are located in the south end,” he said. “We’re thrilled the city is working with us to allow our restaurant entrepreneurs to test branding, menu ideas and business concepts before making larger-scale investments.”<\/p>\n
Curbside Provisions and approved food truck purveyors will have city business licenses, a temporary use parking permit and all the state licenses and food handler’s permits required by King County Department of Health.<\/p>\n