INTERESTED IN BECOMING A MOBILE FOOD VENDOR ON THE ROCKAWAY BEACH BOARDWALK?
The Rockaway Beach Club holds a number of mobile vending permits through the NYC Parks Department for qualified food vendors to sell products from B59th street to B82nd street & B119th street to B142nd street. The mobile vending season is from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
We are currently taking applications for food carts, push carts, bike carts and beach hawkers for the Summer 2018 season. Food carts, push carts and bike carts can operate up and down the boardwalk from B119th to B126th (end of boardwalk) and from B59th to B82nd street. Beach Hawkers can walk on the sand with an approved cooler bag / wagon and only sell pre-packaged food and beverages from B59th to B82nd and from B119th to B149th street.
In order to qualify to be a mobile food vendor through the Rockaway Beach Club, each vendor must obtain the following licenses, insurances and documents. (If you are interested in becoming a Beach Hawker you will not have to obtain a valid health department inspection)
Valid NYC MOBILE FOOD VENDING LICENSE
Valid CERTIFICATE OF AUTHORITY
WORKER’S COMP & DISABILITY INSURANCE (C105.2)
General Liability Insurance
VALID HEALTH DEPT. INSPECTION & 311 STICKER on non-processing and processing carts.
MENU with PRICES
SIGNED SUBLICENSE AGREEMENT with ROCKAWAY BEACH CLUB
NYC Parks Department Inspection of proposed FOOD, PUSH, BIKE CART -OR- COOLER
AFTER YOU HAVE READ ALL OF THE INFORMATION ON THIS PAGE, FAQ'S AND REVIEWED THE MOBILE VENDING RULES AND REGULATIONS FROM DOHMH, PLEASE FILL OUT THIS FORM. PLEASE GIVE US AS MUCH INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR BUSINESS AND CART.
THANK YOU
MOBILE FOOD VENDING LICENSE
A mobile food vending LICENSE; is issued to an individual who will sell food from a permitted mobile food vending unit (vehicle or pushcart). The license is issued by the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) as a photo ID badge. There are no waiting lists to apply for the Mobile Food Vending License.
FAQ'S
When is the season / what days am I allowed to operate?
The season is from Memorial Day to Labor Day. You are able to operate everyday of the week.
Can I operate in front of or in between the concessions at B86th, B97th and B106th on the boardwalk?
No. We do not allow mobile food vendors or beach hawkers to operate between B84th street and B108th street.
What is the difference between a mobile food vendor cart and a beach hawker?
A mobile food vendor will operate on the physical boardwalk and can vend with a DOH approved processing or non-processing cart. A beach hawker walks on the sand with an approved cooler bag OR wagon and can only vend pre-packaged foods/beverages. BOTH MOBILE VENDORS & BEACH HAWKERS MUST HAVE A MOBILE FOOD VENDING LICENSE.
What is the difference between a mobile food vending license and mobile food vending permit?
A mobile food vending LICENSE; is issued to an individual who will sell food from a permitted mobile food vending unit (vehicle or pushcart). The license is issued by the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) as a photo ID badge. There are no waiting lists to apply for the Mobile Food Vending License. (See attached document)
A mobile food vending PERMIT; NYC issues 6 different types of mobile food vending permits. Each permit has different regulations. To obtain most permits there is a wait list. The Rockaway Beach Club already has the permit for your mobile vending unit to vend on the boardwalk in Rockaway.
Do I need a mobile food vending LICENSE to operate on the Rockaway Beach Boardwalk as a mobile food vendor or beach hawker?
YES! Anyone that is operating your unit MUST have a mobile food vendor license.
Do I need a mobile food vending PERMIT to operate on the Rockaway Beach Boardwalk as a mobile food vendor or beach hawker?
NO! The Rockaway Beach Club already has the permit for your vending unit.
What is a commissary / depot ? Do I have to store my unit in a depot?
Commissaries / depots are places where you store, set up and clean your unit. Commissaries must have a permit from the New York City Health Department. Yes, you have to show proof that you are storing your unit in an approved commissary / depot.
Can I set up a 10’ x 10’ tent on the boardwalk with a table and vend my goods like I do at festivals / weekly markets?
No. We are unlike festivals and weekly markets because we must follow the rules of the NYC Parks Department and must follow the Rules and Regulations of the NYC Health Department. Please refer to the Health Code Article 81, “Food Safety,” and Rules of the City of New York Chapter 6, “Food Units” in the “Rules and Regulations for Mobile Food Vending” PDF
This also means that we cannot have open flames from grills on the boardwalk or on the beach.
Is it possible to vend in one of the concessions?
Currently there is no availability in the concessions.
Can I have two (2) carts?
Yes. Each cart will have to go through the same process and obtain separate inspections through the DOH. Each cart will receive it’s own permit from RBC.
What if I have a unique cart or bike cart… do I still need a NYC health department inspection?
Yes! Any unit operating on the Rockaway Beach Boardwalk MUST pass the NYC Health Department Inspection and obtain an INSPECTION STICKER and 311 STICKER after passing the inspection.
What is the difference between a PROCESSING cart and NON-PROCESSING cart?
PROCESSING means transforming food into the form in which it is to be served to the mobile food vending unit patron, including, but not limited to, by means of slicing, dicing, grating, portioning, blending, mixing, combining, cooking and reheating, or otherwise treating food in such a way as to create a risk that it may become adulterated if improperly handled. (coconut vendors, fresh squeezed lemonade, smoothies)
NON-PROCESSING can be: non-processing unit in or on which only intact, prepackaged potentially hazardous foods requiring temperature control as specified in Health Code §81.09 are provided for individual service. Such foods include, but are not be limited to, prepackaged frozen desserts, prepackaged sandwiches, and prepackaged and presliced fruits and vegetables.
- OR -
NON-PROCESSING unit in or on which non-potentially hazardous packaged or unpackaged foods not requiring temperature control for safety are provided or served. Such foods include, but are not limited to, brewed coffee and tea, donuts, pastries, rolls and bagels buttered or topped with cream cheese at a commissary, popcorn, cotton candy, nuts, candied nuts, soft pretzels, and chestnuts, regardless of whether such foods are heated for aesthetic purposes. However, mobile food vending units that prepare and serve any potentially hazardous foods, including but not limited to, dairy products, pre-cooked or manufactured knishes, boiled frankfurters and sausages are Class D mobile food units that require equipment or other means of holding potentially hazardous foods at the temperatures required by Articles 81 and 89 of the Health Code.
Can I have a mobile food truck on the boardwalk?
Parks Department does not allow motorized vehicles on the boardwalk. This also means, if you have a mobile food cart that requires a motorized vehicle, you will not be authorized to drop off your cart on to the boardwalk with a motorized vehicle- it will have to be manually pushed onto the boardwalk.
Can I sell non-food or non-beverage merchandise from my cart?
No. You are only allowed to vend food/beverage products. The products and prices of your products will be reviewed by the NYC Parks Department before you obtain a sub-license agreement through the Rockaway Beach Club. You are not allowed to vend items that haven’t been approved by NYC Parks Department.
What is the fee for the season?
We are currently working out the sub-license fee for the Summer 2017 season. A deposit is due before the sublicense signing. We currently do not offer a day rate or weekend rate. We currently do not offer a half-season rate.