WOODBRIDGE, Va. — On Saturday, residents attended the town’s first ever Food Truck Festival to savor different vittles and expand their taste buds.
That doesn’t happen too often in Virginia; an old law made it illegal for food trucks to operate on many streets. This week, Gov. Terry McAuliffe signed a law to expand food truck vending in the commonwealth.
Jacque Pitts, a food truck owner and organizer, said the festival sheds light on cuisine not currently in Prince William, Stafford and Fredericksburg.
“We’re looking for the most different item,” says Ty Gaines, standing in a long line for Bulgogi tacos. “It’s that thing where you say ‘if the line is short, maybe the food’s no good.’ Let me get in the long line.”
The Saturday festival, held in the parking lot of Gar-Field High School, lasted 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. It began as a small faith-based fundraiser with about 10 trucks on hand. That grew to 23 once the event was posted on Facebook, Pitts says: “It grew from 150 people coming to 3,000 people.”
The festival benefits “No Kid Hungry,” a summer meals program that helps children get healthy food when school is out, and the Open Air Faith Festival, a local nonprofit for military families.
Local jurisdictions still have to decide rules for food truck vending. Saturday’s festival shows that the area is ready for business.
