San Francisco OKs food carts in parks

SAN FRANCISCO, July 17 (UPI) -- The San Francisco Recreation and Park Commission says food vendors will soon be able to sell their wares from carts in 219 city parks.

Rich Hillis, Recreation and Park Department deputy director, said a plan approved by the commission Thursday will allow vendors to sell in nearly all of the city's parks for a minimum $1,000 monthly permit fee, the San Francisco Chronicle reported Friday.

"We need to raise revenue, and to provide people with a service they want," said Hills, referring to an $11 million budget gap.

The approved plan does not include food sales in Golden Gate Park, which will be the focus of a separate vending plan.

Under the new plan, food vendors will only be allowed to obtain a park vending permit by proving their culinary wares are health-conscious according to park officials' standards.

Approved vendors will face a health department inspection before being assigned to a specific San Francisco park, the Chronicle reported.