Baby Got Bannock is the first food truck to receive a 2020 business licence from the city of Prince Albert, but more are expected in the near future. (Facebook/Baby Got Bannock)

By Trevor Redden

Food on the Fly

Food truck season underway in Prince Albert

Jun 2, 2020 | 11:32 AM

A local food truck was able to roll back onto the streets last weekend after a delayed start to the season.

The Baby Got Bannock food truck was parked at the curb near Kinsmen Park for the first time this year. The truck had such a busy day that owner-operator Kyra Robillard had to inform the public she was closing two hours earlier than scheduled.

“Thanks again to everybody that stopped by. I couldn’t keep up with bannock, I tried my best,” Robillard said.

“Thank you Prince Albert for all the support.”

Last week, the City of Prince Albert was informed the province specifically allowed for food trucks under phase two of the Re-Open Saskatchewan Plan, after previously determining they would fall under phase three along with restaurants. This distinction allowed Baby Got Bannock to open ahead of June 8, the beginning date of phase three.

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Robillard told paNOW she’s relieved to be back in business, but still has some frustration with the city over restrictions that prevent her from parking within 100 metres of any restaurants.

“It just gets your name out there, and different followers, different places to park and try out,” Robillard said.

“My argument is that my business operates four months out of the year, a handful of days out of those months. Does that really affect those [restaurants]?”

Craig Guidinger, director of planning and development services with the city, explained a motion was brought up by council to re-evalute the policy on mobile vendors. However it was put off because of the pandemic. In the meantime, the city is requesting food trucks operate in designated areas as laid out in the current mobile food vendor policy.

“We feel [the 100-metre restriction] is a small regulation that can be put into place that will let our restaurants come back from the pandemic as best as they’re able, but also allow food trucks to operate as well,” Guidinger said.

“As a city, we want to make sure that all businesses do have a chance to come back from these uncertain times, including the food trucks.”

As for the plan moving forward, Guidinger indicated the city aimed to give all parties involved a say in formulating the policy, and he expects the process to move quickly.

“We want to talk to food truck owners and restaurant owners as well, but I suspect over the next month we’ll know a bit more,” Guidinger said.

As of Monday, Baby Got Bannock was the lone food truck to receive a licence so far, but there have been several inquiries and Guidinger expects to see a few others moving forward.

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trevor.redden@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @Trevor_Redden