Now that the fight over D.C.’s food truck regulations is over, the DMV Food Truck Association has its eye on reform of Alexandria’s mobile vending scene, which is currently nonexistent. Food trucks are banned in Alexandria, except for construction sites and permitted special events.

Today, the food truck association launches its “Alexandria Hearts Food Trucks Campaign” with a website that aims to dispel myths about food trucks and rally supporters to contact city councilmembers.  In the coming months, the organization will also host a “Food Trucks 101” panel, open to the public, in the hopes of getting its message out.

Alexandria is the most restrictive place for food trucks in the greater Washington area, says DMVFTA Political Director Che Ruddell-Tabisola, who’s also a co-owner of BBQ Bus. He says food trucks regularly get requests to vend at school fundraisers, the Mark Center Building, and Port City Brewing Company, but according to current laws, they can’t vend on public or private property without special event permits. “Most Alexandria residents are unaware of how extensive the ban is,” he says.

Last year, the city of Alexandria formed a task force consisting of food truck owners, restaurant owners, and community residents to take another look at the ban. The task force still has at least one meeting before it issues a report to the City Manager’s Office. From there, the City Manager’s Office will draft a proposal that will go to the city council, likely sometime before summer.

“I believe we’re going to lift the ban this year,” Ruddell-Tabisola says. “I’m confident about that.”

Photo by Darrow Montgomery