Alert:
Fairfax County Park Authority is offering a new and exciting service for park visitors. Mobile food vendors now have an opportunity to provide food services to customers in selected parks. Authorized mobile food vendors will contribute to the park environment by offering specialty food items, premium customer service, and affordable menu selections.
A mobile food vendor is defined as a "licensed, motorized mobile food unit which is temporarily located on a Fairfax County Park Authority designated vending pad where food items are sold to the general public." Mobile food vendors are permitted on approved Fairfax County Park Authority property provided certain standards are met and appropriate permits are obtained.
Fairfax County Park Authority is interested in vendors that can provide quality representation of the county’s cultural diversity with unique and specialty food items. Interested vendors must have a self-contained truck with the ability to provide mobile food vending services. Mobile food carts can be considered for some locations. Any other vending alternatives are not permitted. Vendors must provide all required documentation listed in the ‘How to Apply’ section prior to obtaining a permit from Fairfax County Park Authority.
Permit Holders may set their own flexible working schedule for each individual park, but may not be in the park before park opening (dawn), or after closure. Fairfax County Park Authority expects vendors to provide consistent and frequent service. It is not required for a permit holder to be at the park every day or to stay for any designated amount of time. Mobile vending trucks and all associated equipment must be removed from the park at the end of each day. Equipment is not permitted in the park overnight at any time.
Vendors will be selected based on: complete application package, visual appearance of the food truck, proposed operating plan, variety of menu items that appeal to park customers, and other criteria. A higher priority will be assigned to applications that propose frequent and consistent services and hours of operation.
Applications received after the closing date will be reviewed on a first come, first served basis to fill any remaining vending pad locations. Please follow the simple steps below to get started with your application.
Gather all required documents
All mobile food vendors must obtain licensing from other agencies prior to applying for a Park Authority permit. Links to the appropriate documents are listed below:
Submit all documents and payments*
A $200 application fee is due for each park requested. Payment and application package can be submitted by fax: 703-324-3976 or by mail:
Park Services Division - Mobile Food Vending
12055 Government Center Parkway, Suite 927
Fairfax, VA 22035
*If selected, vendor is responsible for monthly payments to the Park Authority. The greater of $200 or 15% of the gross revenue for the prior month is due on the 15th of each month. Monthly Submittal Form
If selected, provide vendor licenses within 2 weeks
If selected, you will have two weeks to obtain and provide copies of solicitor licenses from the Fairfax County Regulation and Licensing Branch. Selected vendors will be provided with information on how to obtain the licenses and documentation which must be provided when applying for a solicitor license.
If selected, provide insurance certificate within 2 weeks
A valid certificate of insurance for a one million dollar Commercial General Liability policy listing Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, and Fairfax County Park Authority, its officers, employees and volunteers, as additional insured. Confirm that the wording on the insurance certificate matches the bolded statement exactly.
Properly display all permits
Selected vendors will be issued a visual permit by the Park Authority to be displayed on the mobile food truck at all times. The visual permit will list contact information for the Park Authority, and the park name(s) and vendor pad location where the vendor is approved to operate.
There are currently 12 parks with designated mobile vending parking pads. Only one vendor will be assigned per vending pad. Vending pads vary by site and can be either designated parking spaces, or areas within the park that have been chosen for safety and convenience for customers and vendors. Please see the map of mobile vending parks to view a picture of the vending pad(s) at each park.
At its discretion, the Park Authority can, at any time, add additional vending pads and permit vendors to any park locations, select additional parks to offer mobile food vending or terminate any vending location.
Location |
Vending Pad |
Availability |
---|---|---|
Baron Cameron Park |
Pad #1-Available |
|
E. C. Lawrence Park |
Pad #1-Available |
|
Lake Fairfax Park |
Pad #1-Available |
|
Lee District Park |
Pad #1-Available |
|
Mason District Park |
Pad #1-Available |
|
Nottoway Park |
Pad #1-Available |
|
Oak Marr Park |
Pad #1-Available |
|
Pine Ridge Park |
Pad #1-Available
|
|
Poplar Tree Park |
Pad #1-Available
|
|
South Run Park |
Pad #1-Available |
|
Spring Hill Park |
Pad #1-Available
|
|
Wakefield Park |
Pad #1-Available |