Jackson Free Press

Ward 1 Councilman Quentin Whitwell is trying to orchestrate a deal between downtown food suppliers and advocates of a new city ordinance that will allow restaurants to bring food to the downtown lunch crowd or Fondren on the back of a truck or van.

"I'm seeking input from everybody," said Whitwell, who submitted a city ordinance proposal that will allow mobile food vendors to sell their wares all over Jackson. Whitwell said members of the Jackson City Council's Planning Committee may discuss the ordinance proposal this week.

Jackson chef Tom Ramsey told the Jackson Free Press last month that Jackson's city-issued mobile vendor food-permit is only good for one day, which discourages mobile sales.

" You have to apply for your license every day. That's the way we read it," said Ramsey, who is designing the menu for the incoming Gringos Tacos and Tortas truck. "You have to have stable laws in which to operate."

Downtown business owner Steve Long, owner and manager of Steve's Downtown Deli and Bakery on South Congress Street, said he is interested in the ordinance because it opens a new culinary niche for him to exploit, but he said the ordinance could still harm existing downtown restaurants.

"I'm interested in it because I'm interested in participating in it myself," said Long, who also offers a catering service. "But my worry is, as far as business population downtown, it's either steady or on a decrease. The customer base isn't growing. So my worry is that the independent (restaurants) downtown could put each other out of business, and we'd end up with a downtown full of Subways and Chick-fil-As. That's my concern."

Whitwell said his ordinance proposal, which is still under review by city attorneys and is not yet on paper, may still require mobile food suppliers to have a "brick-and-mortar" building in order to get the long-term vending license. The councilman said having a permanent base will make it easier for mobile food suppliers to meet state health standards, but admitted that some vendors are complaining to him about the building requirement.

"That's part of what we're going to debate. There are some that are for that and some that are against it," said Whitwell, adding that he was speaking with both downtown restaurant owners and prospective mobile food vendors. "We're going to have a well-balanced, well-crafted ordinance that considers all sides of the issues so that at the end of the day it offers the public new and innovative ideas and options that make Jackson a better place to live."

Whitwell said the planning meeting may be Thursday, but could not confirm the date.