RI Now Wants to Charge Food Trucks More at State Parks Citing Staffing Issues - McKee “Looking Into”

RI Now Wants to Charge Food Trucks More at State Parks Citing Staffing Issues - McKee “Looking Into”

The State of Rhode Island now wants to charge food trucks more for future events at State Parks, after previously entering into an agreement with the small businesses for events this summer. 

As GoLocal was first to report on Friday, the organizers of food truck nights at Colt and Goddard State Parks said that the State of Rhode Island this week suspended its approval for future events this summer.

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Now, the Department of Environmental Management has changed the contract, demanding more money for what they say are events that have been too popular for the state to handle - and event organizers refute some of DEM’s claims. 

New Costs

At the beginning of the summer, DEM and PVD Food Trucks contracted for seven events at the two parks, with two being held before DEM halted future truck nights. 

According to PVD Food Trucks owner Eric Weiner, the contact had actually allowed up to 20 events, based on dates agreed upon by both parties. 

Now, DEM has offered three more nights — at higher costs. 

Now, PVD Food Trucks must “arrange and pay for delivery of two portajohns for any future event, cover the cost of all DEM/Parks staffing and Environmental Police deemed necessary by DEM/Parks, limit the number of food trucks to the level determined by DEM/Parks, and limit hours of event as required by DEM/Parks.”

“These revised terms were offered to us on 6/3 after completion of the successful Colt State Park on 6/2,” said Weiner. “These new terms do not acknowledge the events previously planned for Colt State Park in July and for Goddard Park in July and August.”

“The new costs are 3x the original agreement,” he added. “Additionally the limitation of the number of trucks at Goddard would all but assure long lines, longer stays, and unhappy customers.   It also would continue to allow DEM to cancel any event at any time by claiming that they do not have enough staff.”

On Friday, DEM cited staffing, parking, and environmental issues as reasons for changing the terms of agreements — which Weiner also refutes. 

“Having been told by DEM on 5/28 that our Colt State event on 6/2 would be our last at Colt State Park and that Goddard would be canceled before it started, we took extra time and effort to observe our impact on the park,” he said.

“We scooted around the park every 45 minutes to observe the main parking area (which Colt staff told us could handle over 300 cars) along with three overflow areas.  The main lot that was being monitored by the park rangers never filled to capacity.  The first overflow lot near the chapel and restrooms was at 80% capacity the entire evening and was not monitored by park staff at all,” said Weiner. “The two additional overflow lots were either completely empty or almost empty throughout the entire event.   We surveyed our attendees and food truck owners regarding the restrooms and observed them throughout the event.  We have seen no evidence that the restroom facilities were taxed at all.”

On Friday, GoLocal contacted Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee’s office, who by end of day said he is “looking into” the issue.