New York City Health Department announced on the 13th that it is now accepting applications from veterans and people with disabilities to join the waiting list for “Supervisory License” for mobile food vending, adding 300 new spots. This is the first time since the implementation of relevant street vendor system reform in 2023 that New York City has reopened applications for this.
The street food vending system in New York City is divided into three tiers: individuals must first obtain a “mobile food vending license” to work at a stand; if they want to operate their own food truck, they need to join the waiting list for the “Supervisory License,” qualify, and then apply for a limited number of “annual stand permits.”
The so-called “Supervisory License” is a prerequisite for applying for an annual mobile food vending stand permit. Vendors must obtain the supervisory license before they can apply for the annual stand permit; however, the supervisory license is only issued to applicants on the waiting list.
Currently, there are about 5,800 food vendors in New York City holding operating permits, with approximately 120 issued to veterans and people with disabilities; another approximately 1,300 vendors hold supervisory licenses and can apply for annual stand permits at any time.
According to local regulations, starting from July 1st this year, the Health Department will issue 2,200 supervisory licenses annually over the next five years. This round of applications will add 300 veterans and people with disabilities to the waiting list.
Applicants must be at least 18 years old and hold a valid mobile food vending license to apply for inclusion on the waiting list. Applications can be submitted through the city’s website nyc.gov/health/mobilefood or by calling 311 to request a form.
Additionally, obtaining a mobile food vendor license does not require being on a waiting list. Applicants only need to submit an application, pay the relevant fees (waived for U.S. veterans), and complete a food safety course for mobile food vendors to apply.