A new city-operated program is set to bring food carts back to downtown Orlando. The new Downtown Entertainment Area Mobile Food Cart pilot program was approved by city commission for a mininum of one year.

This program is designed to help food carts operate safely and effectively in the downtown area in a post-pandemic world. According to Click Orlando, Mayor Buddy Dyer lauded the launch of the program, saying “We take great pride in our diverse culinary scene.”

Orlando Weekly noted that, as of the last week of February 2023, 12 pre-approved food carts are allowed to operate downtown between the hours of 6 p.m. through 2:30 a.m., 7 days a week.

It is presumed that, if the program goes well, the hours of operation – along with the number of carts in the area – will increase. An exact date for expanding the program has not yet been announced by Orlando city officials, however.

At the time Orlando Weekly’s article was published, there were 10 designated downtown locations for registered and pre-approved carts to open on a nightly basis.

Under the new program’s regulations, vendors wishing to operate downtown are required required undergo inspections and must obtain multiple state and local permits, including a state business license from the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation, a City of Orlando business tax receipt, and an Orange County Business tax receipt.

The business tax receipts prove that local business owners paid their required county and municipal taxes in order to legally operate.

Additional details about the Downtown Entertainment Area Mobile Food Cart pilot program can be found on the official City Council website.

What do you think about this program? Do you think it will increase the number of people visiting downtown Orlando?

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