Acceptance into the What the Truck Program is not automatic and must be reviewed and approved by our committee.

Your application will not be reviewed until the $50 application has been received.

The application fee is yearly and helps us continue to make this program possible.

THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING CEED!

*Please make checks payable to CEED

The What the Truck Program is a food industry program at the Center for Economic Empowerment and Development (CEED). CEED is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that has been operating in Fayetteville for over 25 years. What the Truck Program was formed in April 2017, in response to mounting interest in the mobile food industry in the area. Growth in any industry calls for structure and the mobile food industry is no exception. There were also concerns from existing mobile food entrepreneurs regarding their rights and responsibilities as business owners within the Fayetteville area.

The goal of the What the Truck Program is to foster the growth of the mobile food industry in Fayetteville, to help trucks navigate the existing regulatory framework, listen to the consumers desire for more eatery options, and help Fayetteville experience the same downtown culture other comparable metropolitan areas.

On a day-to-day basis, What the Truck works with its participants to keep them apprised of current rules and regulations. CEED has worked closely with all levels of city, county, and state politics to continue to make Fayetteville a city where small business can thrive. Part of this work includes preventing the enactment of additional unnecessary regulations and/or challenging existing regulations, which we believe, are unfair, unwise, or unauthorized. We act as advocates for small business entrepreneurs operating legally in cases where they are targeted unfairly by officials or other business owners.

In addition to advising new and established trucks on issues of regulatory compliance, the Program is committed to helping its participants grow their businesses whenever possible. That said, the Program will never tell you how to run your business. The Program works with property owners to create popular lot opportunities, and acts as a single point of contact for festival and special event bookings. The Program is currently reaching out to commissary owners and food distributors in an effort to simplify the preparatory side of a Food Truck business, and keep costs low for participants.

You must currently be operating a mobile food facility, or have one pending final inspection, to become a member of the What the Truck Program.

Apply to be a Member: APPLICATION

Applications are processed weekly. Please complete all information in all fields indicated (Full address, including your city and zip code).

Participant Requirement:

• All vendors must be permitted with a health department
• All vendors must agree to abide by local city and county laws
• All vendors must agree to become a business client of CEED (Its Free! And Awesome!)

Program Benefits:

• Advertising and marketing included for What the Truck events
• Support Staff to act as a liaison between trucks and officials
• Event coordination and scheduling – you cook and we take care of the rest!
• Access to CEED client benefits
• Opportunities to vend on Program-run lots/events
• Unified voice to work towards more fair and equitable regulatory resolutions
• Vendor resources and community connections
• Regulatory support

For more information, please email foodtrucks@ncceed.org with the subject line “Food Trucks”.