Left to right: Fresno County Supervisor Brian Pacheco, small business owner Carmela Flores, and FAHF CEO Dora Westerlund attend the Mobile Food Vendor Fest at the Downtown Business Hub in Fresno on Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2024. (GV Wire/Steven Sanchez)
- FAHF's grant program offers up to $4,000 in subsidies to help kickstart mobile food businesses in Fresno County.
- The event featured a variety of local vendors who received financial assistance and met health department requirements.
- The foundation has assisted 20 businesses, and their goal is to help 70 more by the end of the year.
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The Fresno Area Hispanic Foundation, in partnership with Fresno County, is extending the application deadline for mobile food vendors to get $4,000 grants.
The $4,000 grants have been a godsend for operators such as Carmela Flores of Botanas La Patroncita.
FAHF has assisted 20 businesses with approximately $80,ooo in aid. The goal is to help 70 more, with an estimated $280,000 left in the fund, by the end of the year. FAHF isn’t limited to assisting Hispanics as all racial backgrounds are eligible.
Applicants must complete 10 hours of technical assistance work in the following areas:
- Banking and bookkeeping (2 hrs.)
- Licensing and permits (2 hrs.)
- Marketing consulting (2 hrs.)
- Financial management (2 hrs.)
- Grant funding (2 hrs.)
The program began in early 2024 after Supervisor Brian Pacheco said he saw news reports of street business owners being forced to throw away their food due to a lack of proper permits. That event spurred the collaboration involving Pacheco, the county, and the FAHF.
Mobile Food Vendor Fest Showcases Small Businesses
FAHF hosted the Mobile Food Vendor Fest on Tuesday at the Downtown Business Hub to showcase the small businesses that successfully met all health department requirements and are now serving the community.
“Today is truly a celebration of the path we’ve taken with these mobile food vendors. Thanks to the grant that Fresno County and supervisor Pacheco was able to approve $360,000 for mobile food vendors,” FAHF CEO Dora Westerlund said.
“This program educates mobile food vendors about following county health department rules when it comes to cooking and selling food,” said Pacheco.
FAHF members, representatives from the health department and county supervisors, including Pacheco, stood in line to try some of the Mexican food. ‘Tacos estilo “Guerrero”‘ provided an assortment of tacos. Jenny’s Churros and Rey’s Churros fulfilled the attendees’ sweet tooth.
A Success Story
Carmela Flores of Botanas La Patroncita is a beneficiary of the grant. Flores worked in the medical field and became a business owner to make extra money to help her son get through school as he pursues the dream of becoming a detective. Her small business, specializing in selling shaved ice, got involved with the FAHF a few years ago. Their assistance helped pay for her son’s college tuition and she was able to purchase a home.
Street Vendor Industry Booms
The street vendor industry in the US grew 15.9% per year on average between 2018 and 2023. In 2022, the street vendor sector in the United States was valued at approximately $2.8 billion. IBISWorld expects that revenue to reach $3.9 billion by the end of 2024.
Westerlund said that when it comes to favorite vendor food, “Elotes, the corn, that’s my favorite — adding tajin and cream to it, I enjoy it!”
Pacheco weighed in saying, “I’m a big fan of carnitas tacos.”
To apply for the grant, click here.
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