AASHTO Journal - Video: Food Truck Operations at California Rest Areas

Following an executive order issued Governor Gavin Newsom (D) on April 16 partly in concert with a Federal Highway Administration order allowing states to permit food trucks to operate in rest areas, the California Department of Transportation began allowing the temporary operation of food trucks in state rest areas to support essential travel by truck drivers and motorists during the COVID-19 pandemic.

To highlight the end result of that effort, Caltrans released a video of several food truck operators in action:

Caltrans noted that these permits will be valid through June 15 and, because food trucks are licensed locally, each truck can only operate within the locality for which they are licensed and permitted by the local health inspector.

“Helping our truckers and facilitating the movement of essential goods during the COVID-19 crisis is a priority,” noted Toks Omishakin, director of Caltrans, in a statement. “We hope this gives truckers more food options to keep them and the economy moving. We also hope this provides additional business opportunities for food trucks hit hard by stay-at-home health orders.”