Saving NYC Food Trucks

A new organization called Save NYC Food Trucks has emerged to raise awareness about the escalating problems facing New York City food trucks. These issues have gotten a lot of coverage lately, but this organization created a video to capture these difficulties, and inform the greater public which may be completely unaware of the plight of food trucks.

The video was released this past weekend and features some prominent food trucks, like Kima Ima from Treats Truck and Eddie Song of Korilla BBQ. The video mostly discusses the business of operating a food truck and all the problems they face, acting as a means to inform the general public. The video is below.

Anticipation Builds Up for this Year's Vendy Awards

                It may be a little early, but here at Foodtoeat we can barely stop talking about the upcoming Vendy Awards. Held on September 24^th, The Vendy Awards honor some of New York’s best and most innovative street vendors in an intense cook-off at Governors Island. Finalists in the competition are nominated by everyday people through an online form, and winners are decided in four categories; people’s choice, desserts, rookie of the year and Vendy Cup winner.

                While this competition is only in its sixth year, it’s already spread outside of New York, with the first ever Philadelphia Vendy Awards held earlier this summer. Once the event starts, vendors begin serving up food on Governor’s Islands for guests and judges. The day features a raffle, music, entertainment and plenty of wine and beer. Though an integral part of the experience involves standing in line waiting for food.

                Last year Astoria’s King of Falafel dominated the competition, though every year it seems a different vendor comes out on top. While attendees vote for some of the categories, The Vendy’s esteemed judges decide who wins the grand prize. Proceeds from this event help support the Street Vendor Project, a non-profit organization working for the rights of New York City street vendors. The Street Vendor Project has been actively working to solve the trucks’ legal troubles with the city, and have drafted a petition to allow food trucks to stay in their preferred locations. This organization honors worthy street vendors who have been denied their rights, they rely on donations to continue.

                We may still have some time to wait until the Vendy Awards, but this event is surely not one to be missed. Just think, unlimited food, drinks and entertainment all on an island? Sounds like a vacation to me.

To purchase your tickets to the 2011 Vendy’s click here.