Why Greenville’s Food Trucks are Disappearing

Featured image source: Mykal McEldowney, Greenville News

Despite best efforts to market the city as a haven for food trucks, strict regulations in Greenville, SC are making it more and more difficult for entrepreneurs to keep their businesses going. This week, the Greenville News reported that new fire safety rules intended to make food trucks safer have “left some parked for good,” and that 22 out of Greenville’s 32 active food trucks are no longer able to operate in the city.

The new rules require food trucks to have “exhaust hoods, automatic fire-suppression systems, and other tools and systems in place” in order to pass annual fire inspections. The main issue with the new rules for Greenville truck drivers, according to the News, is not the equipment requirements, but rather the time crunch. According to one food truck owner, he only learned of the new fire-code rules from the city in late November, just a few weeks before the rules were set to take effect on the first of the new year.

The Greenville ordinance also requires all food trucks to operate in a limited number of designated public parking spots, and to be at least 250 feet from all brick-and-mortar restaurants, unless given approval to be closer. The News reports that that last restriction is a “notorious food-truck killer,” and has partially contributed to the recent decline.

Folks who want to hunt down the city’s remaining meals on wheels can use the food truck database Roaming Hunger to see bios, upcoming events and locations, and years of operation for Greenville food trucks. For some of the best out there, try The Gravy Train’s Thanksgiving-inspired poutine, Curry Leaf’s spicy Masala Chai tea, or Pink Mama’s Original Lavender White Chocolate ice cream.