The healthy food truck program aims to increase access to nutritious, affordable, and high-quality meals to the Coachella community. As a food vendor, by offering fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins, you will help promote healthier eating habits. The program brings together food businesses interested in building a healthier community, fosters community engagement, and encourages sustainable food choices. Food truck operators who participate in the program will be approved to vend at select parks and locations throughout the city. A limited number of permits will be issued on a first-come, first-served basis.

City Parks

• 2 food trucks maximum stationed around Dateland Park, Bagdouma Park, and Rancho Las Flores Park
• 1 food truck maximum at De Oro Park, Sierra Vista Park
• Operating Hours – 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. weekdays and 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. weekends.
• Food Truck operator applications in parks will be reviewed based on commitment to health and wellness, healthy menu, locally sourced ingredients, and local business criteria.

Downtown (DT-PV) and Downtown Transition (TR-PV) Zoned parcels located around Coachella Veterans’ Memorial Park

• 1 food truck per lot or more than 1 food truck on lots or sites larger than 11,500 sq. ft.
• Operate entirely on the property in the front yard and on-site consumption with tables and chairs would be permitted
• Operating Hours – 5 p.m. to 12 a.m.
• To identify zoning parcel eligibility please see City Zoning Map.

Date Farms

• 3 food trucks maximum per lot with a minimum 1-acre size that must be an active date farm with a minimum of 30 date palm trees
• Requires a minimum of 1 signature food offering with date ingredients or offer of the direct sale of date fruits
• On-site parking required
• Requires activity areas such as cornhole and horseshoes
• Allows accessory retail pop-up businesses
• Operating Hours – 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• Planning Commission approval is required as a non-hearing item

Priority will be given to businesses who:

1. Are an existing truck/trailer food business that engages in full food preparation (e.g., food trucks)
2. Complete an interest form to register for a mandatory orientation
3. Participate in a mandatory orientation session (must attend only one)
4. Have up-to-date health permit and in good standing with the environmental health department; please visit DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH - Food Trucks/Mobile Food Facilities and reference the Permitted Food Carts/Trucks in Riverside County list to confirm your standing
5. Dedicate a minimum of 25% of total food menu to healthy food items as defined by the menu eligibility criteria 
6. Adopt healthy food retail practices as defined by eligibility criteria (see attached)
7. Conduct a one-on-one menu review with Riverside University Health System (RUHS) staff (annual fee of $116). Please contact Brenda Ramirez at 951-358-5311
8. Submit an application and documentation required to the City of Coachella; pay a fee of $200; cannot submit application until verification of menu criteria has been met and documentation has been signed off by RUHS staff

• Healthy Food Truck Permit Application - ENGLISH
• Healthy Food Truck Permit Application - SPANISH

    9. Provide quarterly updates on overall community engagement, sales, successes and challenges          as they relate to the healthy menu items

Note: If you are a home-based food business interested in growing into a mobile food business (i.e. food truck), you are welcome to attend the orientation so we can determine the level of support we can provide

If you are interested in participating in the program but need help with your menu, coaching will be made available on a limited basis. This will include help with creating new recipes, updating your menu, developing a mini-business plan to launch your healthy menu line.

RESOURCES 

• Mobile Food Facilities | Riverside County Department of Environmental Health

SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS

English

• Ordinance No. 1219 Healthy Food Truck Permit Draft - Date Farms 
• Ordinance No. 1218 Healthy Food Truck Permit Draft - Parks and DT Zones 
• Interest Form 
• Healthy Menu Criteria

Spanish

• Interest Form
• Healthy Menu Criteria

Contact

If you have questions regarding this program, please contact Anahi Fernandez at afernandez@coachella.org or call 442-400-5759.