Cathy Dobson
Five of six city-owned food truck locations have vendors secured for the upcoming season.
The latest one approved will be in the parking lot near the Children’s Animal Farm in Canatara Park.
Yogurtz is a local mobile food business that offers soft-serve yogurt, Hawaiian shaved ice, ballpark franks, sausages, nachos and popcorn. It has a three-year agreement with the city and will pay $17,203 over that period.
Yogurtz was the only party that applied to locate a food truck near the Animal Farm, said parks and rec director Rob Harwood.
“There is great potential there for a food truck,” he said. “We have some awesome summer events in Canatara Park, the farm is there, the BMX Park and playground are there. They all attract a lot of people.
“Besides, food trucks are becoming a real mainstay in tourist areas like Niagara Falls and Toronto. They are slowly becoming a big trend in Sarnia as well.”
Signs at the Children’s Animal Farm warn visitors not to feed its animals bread or cereal, but park officials say they aren’t concerned a food truck there will encourage illicit feeding.
The animals are allowed vegetables, fruits and greens, said Nicole King of the Sarnia and District Humane Society, which operates the city-owned attraction.
“We don’t anticipate this is going to be a big issue. There are French fry trucks in the park, and people who bring picnics, and they aren’t a problem,” she said.
This summer, one truck will be parked at the Bayshore parking lot at Centennial Park, one will be at each end of Canatara Beach, one at the Animal Farm and another at Kenwick Park in Bright’s Grove.
There are no takers so far for the parking lot in Centennial closest to the Suncor Agora. However, Harwood said submissions are still being accepted.