A popular food craze in Austin is enjoying explosive growth, while the need for additional inspectors increases.
The City of Austin has nearly 1,200 mobile food vendors. They are all required to get annual permits and inspections at the Austin/Travis County Health and Human Services Department in East Austin.
The practice ensures that trailers and mobile food carts comply with strict guidelines including proper waste and water disposal.
"It doesn't matter which type of facility, it's still very important these safeguards are in place and being adhered to. To protect the public from the food they consume," said Mobile Food Vendor Program director Sue Simons.
However, a limited number of inspectors make it tough to check on every mobile food vendor when the business is off-site. A proposal before city council would add two additional fulltime employees and two new trucks devoted to monitoring mobile food vendors.
The number of trendy trailers and food carts has grown by tweny percent annually. The city estimates nearly 1,600 mobile food vendors by October of next year.
The biggest complaint inspectors find is a lack of water on trailers and carts.
"Water is extremely important, because the first thing you do in a food operation is wash your hands," said Simons.
On Tuesday, Juine Abraham got her new airstream trailer inspected and permitted. She plans to open up for business this weekend on South First Street. Her eatery is called, "Le Paris Creperie" and will offer both sweet and savory crepes.
"Having a good clean environment while serving the food and preparing the food is very important for the whole community," said Abraham.
