Street Food: What Is It?

What is street food?

By "street food" we mean the sale and, often, also the preparation of food intended for consumption on the street. The preparation and trading of food takes place on board a food truck. For those who are new to English, a food truck is the classic traveling van that operates in public and open spaces such as streets, parks or squares.

Street food is an experience you can't get anywhere else. Not only do the vendors sell delicious and satisfying dishes, but they are often fun people who love talking to customers!
There are many different types of street food on every corner, from Indian chaat (a savory concoction) to Chinese dumplings -allaltyahuahua-, meaning "mother made them" These chefs have been cooking tasty delights since time immemorial; However, it wasn't until recently that these delicacies became popular outside of their native countries thanks in large part due to a few enterprising individuals who brought them into international culture. However, you can also opt for a little more traditional street food such as chips and burgers!

Street food is part of the informal food sector (informal food sector), which revolves around food eaten not at a restaurant table but standing up and with the take away formula (typical not only of hot dog kiosks but also of take-away pizzerias).

Street food: the target audiences.

The public to which street food refers is very varied, thanks to its convenience. The young people and students are attracted to it for the low prices, the workers for the convenience of its consumption during lunch breaks which are often too short.

The variety of people who love street food is vast
Street vendors have been part of society for centuries, selling their wares from carts or vans. The originators often set up shop on busy city streets, where passers-by could stop and buy something hot from the grill with little fuss – there was no need to place an order by phone! Humans may be complex creatures, but our appetites remain constant: we all enjoy a bit of fried rice every now and then (or whatever your favorite cuisine is).

But street food, as well as a "makeshift" food for those with little time and money, can also be a fair attraction. There are countless street food events which, especially in summer, crowd Italian streets and delight patrons with regional delicacies. This attracts a audience of all ages and types: from the young lover of informal and unconventional events to curious families. The latter, as well as customers over 50, rediscover regional food in a "younger", new light, not linked to classic restaurants and trattorias.

For the reasons listed above, street food is an interesting segment of the food sector, and we will soon see how to open a business in this area.

How to start a street food business.

The informal and "reassuring" air of a food truck should not make us believe that starting a street food business will be a walk in the park. Below is the process that, step by step, will start your business.

The requirements.

We start from the assumption that food truckers cannot be improvised, and therefore require one of the following requirements

1. have a hotel diploma
2. have at least 2 years of experience in catering in the last 5 years
3. be registered to REC (Register of Commercial Operators) as "food and drink administrators"
4. having attended regional courses on commerce food and have passed the relevant final exams
5. have a member who possesses one or more of the requirements listed above

The license.

Once you have satisfied at least one of the 5 requirements you proceed with applying for the license.Depending on the type of activity you have in mind, it is of two types:

1. type A: i.e. a license granted by the Municipality to which one belongs to carry out one's business in a fixed point. This license is valid throughout the reference region and allows a food trucker to participate in fairs throughout Italy. It can be requested within a maximum of 30 days from the publication (in March-April or September-October) of the list of vacancies. However, it can be lost if the trade is not carried out regularly and too many absences accumulate.
2. type B: it is a license for traveling food trucks, which do not operate in a fixed location. It allows you to carry out your business at all fairs in Italy, but provided that the trader informs himself and makes an agreement with the Municipality in question for any free parking spaces (to be occupied in limited periods of time). The B license, unlike the A, is free, with no issuing or renewal fee.

Bureaucratic process to start the business.

Today, with the Single Communication, it is possible to complete all the steps necessary to start a business:

1. opening of the VAT number to theRevenue Agency
2. registration for INPS and INAIL
3. registration in Company Register at Chamber of Trade

Choice and authorizations for the food truck.

In addition to all the ordinary administration steps to start a business you also need to take care of another process: that for the food truck.

It is your means of transport and "travel companion" in your food adventure. The first thing is to choose the right size and suitable for your type of activity.

If it involves short journeys within the same city, the ape-car is ideal, small in size and easy to assemble and disassemble.

If instead you want a "traveling" vehicle, which allows you to move from fair to fair within the entire region, opt for a porter "medium" format. It will allow you to carry with you everything you need for your business on medium and long-distance journeys.

Finally, if you "think big" with your food truck you will have to focus on the powerful FIAT Ducato food truck.

Once you have chosen the right vehicle for you you will have to test and register. Additionally, as a provider of food and beverages to consumers, you will need to ensure that your food truck has ahealth authorization from the ASL local health authority.