The Indiana Department of Transportation has announced the launch of a temporary program to permit licensed food trucks to operate at rest area locations on Indiana interstates.
That allows them to provide food and beverage options for commercial truck drivers and motorists engaged in essential travel during the COVID-19 public health emergency.
The program will provide needed options for truck drivers, many of whom are reporting limited availability of food and beverages options near highways across the country due to restaurants and other businesses following public health guidelines in place to slow the spread of COVID-19, including closing dining rooms and in some cases reducing hours of service.
In accordance with the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration’s Notice of Enforcement Discretion titled “Operation of Commercial Food Trucks in Federally Funded Interstate Highway Rest Areas” issued Friday, INDOT will temporarily permit food trucks to service rest areas and welcome centers statewide.
These permits are a temporary measure taken to address needs ancillary to essential travel during the COVID-19 state of emergency.
INDOT will issue two permits for food trucks to operate between the hours of 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. each day on a first-come, first-served basis for the rest area locations, including the two near Taylorsville and the two near Henryville along Interstate 65.
Permits will be valid until canceled by INDOT or the national federal emergency status is lifted.
Interested applicants should review the “Indiana Rest Area and Welcome Center Temporary Permit Application for Food Truck Service” document available at in.gov/indot/restareas.htm or INDOT’s COVID-19 response webpage atin.gov/indot/4037.htm.
Only complete applications will be considered. All submitted applications must include proof of a current liability insurance policy; a valid operating registration, license or permit from the Indiana State Department of Health, a local health department or other valid issuing authority as required under IC 16-42-1-6 and 410 IAC 7-24-107; and proof of registration and good standing with the Office of the Indiana Secretary of State.
If granted a permit, applicants will be required to comply with all permit terms detailed in the permit application and permit form documents.
Submit completed applications by email to INDOTFoodTruckRe[email protected]. Applications are being accepted immediately.