For decades Ceres didn’t allow taco trucks and other types of mobile food vendors to operate within its city limits.

That policy changed in 2018 when the Ceres City Council decided to allow up to 10 mobile food vendors during a 12-month trial run. The city gave it another 12-month run in 2019 but the pandemic hit and the city hasn’t revisited the matter – until now.

The city will host a public meeting at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 26 at the Ceres Community Center, 2701 Fourth Street, Ceres, to receive input on mobile food vendors and possibly making permanent policy and some changes to the Ceres Municipal Code section. The input will help the City Council in their decision which will begin at the Monday, May 8 meeting.

Those who want to offer their opinions but can’t attend the meeting may submit them via email at planning@ci.ceres.ca.us

Christopher Hoem, director of Community Development for the city of Ceres, doesn’t feel a year-to-year review is the best policy and there is interest in expanding the program since there is a growing waiting list for vendors wanting permits – at $360 each – to operate in Ceres.

“There could be some suggestions that we keep it the same, someone may suggest that we increase the limit, some people suggest that we decrease the limit,” said Hoem. “We’re really just interested in gathering community feedback and learning how the program’s been going for the past five years. Based on community feedback, staff will present our best professional judgement on what we recommend going forward and the City Council can decide what to do.”

When the council adopted its rules for taco trucks, it stipulated that vendors must have access to restroom and washing facilities within 200 feet if they operate for four or more hours, and that trucks have at least 1,000 feet between them. They also must have access to waste dumpsters as well as have garbage cans nearby. Outdoor tables near food trucks have not been allowed. Vendors are not allowed to operate after midnight and not before 7 a.m. and they cannot set up signs or pennants.

Food trucks are allowed to set up at commercial businesses like Home Depot on Hatch Road as well as in industrial areas to supplement existing businesses, notably bars, tap rooms or the River Oaks Golf Course & Event Center.