StreetFood Vancouver Society is a non-profit, volunteer-run association representing Vancouver’s premier food carts and trucks. Our goal is to promote street food in Vancouver and to promote our individual businesses.Membership in the Society is based upon criteria established by the City of Vancouver, outlined below. If interested in joining the Society please complete the APPLICATION FORM. Note that not all vendors will meet the criteria and therefore will not be eligible for membership in the Society.
If you meet the membership criteria and wish to join the Society you will be asked to abide by the Membership Requirements and take an active role in the Society.
Membership Criteria
- Should be a member of the Vancouver Street Food Program, having been specifically selected by the City to receive a permit (based on the below criteria see Section 3, below)
- A valid Health Permit from Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) for operation of your vending unit
OR - Further selection of vendors will be based on a decision of board members weighted on the followingAdditional Subjective Criteria (based on the City’s selection criteria):
- An emphasis on ‘house-made’ products. This relates to all products produced by vendors themselves, for example:
- Items such as homemade sauces & buns for hot dog vendors
- Preserves, pickles etc.
- Beverages
- Any other components of the menu that are not pre-made, pre-packaged items
- Evidence of sourcing regionally grown, locally produced, organic, sustainable, fair trade items
- Quality of the food, including attention to freshness, nutrition, innovation, uniqueness etc.
- Locally owned, smaller scale chain operations will be considered but larger chains or franchises will not. Independent, small businesses and micro-entrepreneurs are encouraged.
- An emphasis on ‘house-made’ products. This relates to all products produced by vendors themselves, for example:
Membership Benefits
The general mandate of SVS is to sell the Brand of StreetFood Vancouver
- The goal of Street Food Vancouver is to become a recognizable identity across Vancouver and North America
Members benefit by being part of this group that represents a level of quality, ethics and community
Stay informed on the development of Street Food specifically in Vancouver (and also across North America)
Marketing and PR
- This can include a website with links to individual businesses, and a contact point for public, organizations and companies; possible development of social media; membership in organizations like Tourism BC
Resource Sharing/Cost Savings
- As the association grows and develops it will be a goal to pass on savings and information to the group; questions and support can be sent out and responded to
- Eventually this could included discounts on Credit Card Rates, Business, Employment and Health Insurance packages etc, Fuel Discounts, etc
Advocacy
- The Association will be a voice for all the members, representing their best interests and making sure that through communication the ongoing success of the Street Food Program is ensured
Dedication and Volunteer Time of Board Members
Business Expertise and Shared Knowledge
Events
- Association planned events with the possibility for all membership participation; this will ideally raise funds for the association as well as provide financially significant selling opportunities;
Particularly true over the winter months as the association looks to find alternate ‘indoor’ areas to vend at
Membership Requirements
- All members are expected to be active in their Society. It is the mandate and mission of the SVS to:
“To encourage the promotion and increased cultural and community exposure of Street Food in Vancouver. To serve the members and public by providing a collective resource, uniting in a common voice, and by maintaining the utmost in quality and integrity for the food and people we serve.”
- Wherever possible, members are expected to attend (quarterly) regular and extra-ordinary meetings as set by the Board of Directors.
- Actively participate in committees and events as set by the SVS. Inform the Board (and members) of issues important and relevant to the Society.
- Active participation in Society committees is required to gain and maintain membership in the Society.
- Pay annual membership dues as determined on a yearly basis.
- Inform the Secretary (or alternately, a member of the Board) of your Proxy by written notification.
- Agree to pay a maximum of 10% of gross sales to participate in new events. Members may pay a greater percentage of sales to participate in existing events that have a history of charging a higher rate. Charity events do not apply to this rule.
- Maintain a clean and presentable vending unit.
- Follow and abide by all health and safety codes. Members that have been shut down by VCH more than twice will be expelled;
- Be good “ambassadors” to the general public and tourists
- Send media inquiries to the board where media is seeking the opinion of SVS as a representative voice of its members
- Use compostable and/or biodegradable packaging, cutlery and cups (styrofoam and hard plastic shall not be used).