Food vans coming to a street near you.

Mobile food vehicles are not uncommon. We have all had ice cream from an ice cream van as it was parked at the beach or as it drove down our street on a Saturday afternoon.

However, now there are gourmet foods being prepared, cooked and served from mobile food vans. The menus are understandably limited but these trucks are developing a rapidly growing popularity, especially late at night. People who have been out dancing and partying, are often looking for tasty and relatively inexpensive food late at night and these trucks meet this need perfectly.

The first food truck started in Sydney in 2012 and each of the other capitols are jumping on the bandwagon. Brisbane City Council has a tender process currently underway to license suitable “mobile food facilities” to operate in 11 parks and reserve across the city.

The Bun Mobile, which was Brisbane’s first food truck, started trading in March 2012.

These food operations are a common feature on the streets of many of the world’s big cities and have gained massive attention through social media and some now have cult followings. In fact, there is a phone app now available that will allow Sydneysiders to be able to locate their favourite truck.

The trucks position can be an issue as they can be seen as direct competition to existing restaurants and this is why Melbourne has been slower at the take up of this eating option. There was an issue related to restaurants and competition last year and licences were not reissued as a result.

Food safety is obviously an issue due to the nature of the business and set up, so these food business types must ensure that all requirements are met and are carefully monitored.

Keep an eye out for a gourmet food truck in your area, as this market contuse to grow.