238-2022

Whereas, food carts are an integral and flourishing part of the City of Portland’s diverse cultures, cuisines, economy, and community; and

Whereas, the month of April signifies the start of food cart season in Portland; and

Whereas, Portland’s food carts have been widely acclaimed for their world-class cuisine, creativity, innovation, and variety; and

Whereas, food carts are resilient businesses that are currently striving to recover from the economic challenges caused by the Covid-19 pandemic; and

Whereas, many of Portland’s food carts are owned, operated, and staffed by immigrant and Black, Indigenous, and People of Color members of our community in neighborhoods across the city; and

Whereas, food carts are an accessible way for those immigrant and Black, Indigenous, and People of Color to share their culture through their cuisine and access the economic benefits of Portland’s robust food economy; and

Whereas, the over 1,100 food carts in Portland create approximately 3,000 jobs and provide accessible opportunities for entrepreneurs to start and grow businesses, with many food cart owners eventually establishing brick-and-mortar restaurants; and

Whereas, groups of food carts, known as food pods, promote clustered development that yields further local business sales, job creation, and investment in neighborhood business districts; and

Whereas, the City of Portland remains committed to supporting the revitalization and recovery of our treasured food cart businesses; and 

Whereas, the City of Portland recognizes that food carts not only draw residents of the City and of the Portland metropolitan area, they also attract visitors from near and far to eat at and celebrate local food carts.

Now, therefore, I, Ted Wheeler, the Mayor of the City of Portland, Oregon, the “City of Roses”, do hereby proclaim April to be

Food Cart Month

in Portland, and encourage all residents to observe this month annually by celebrating and visiting the multitude of food carts in our fair city.