Toronto food trucks are about to become a fixture at five Toronto parks as part of a pilot project that loosens the reins on the burgeoning street food scene in the city. Councillors Josh Colle and Mary-Margaret McMahon put the pilot together, which is set to start on August 1st at Woodbine Park, Sherbourne Common, Roundhouse Park, Canoe Landing and Allan Gardens. Prior to this initiative, Toronto food trucks were only able to operate on private property, where they also met occasional resistance from local BIAs.

The pilot project is set to run for two months and will feature 18 food trucks, including Gourmet Gringos, Buster's Sea Cove, Fidel Gastros, The Feisty Jack, Caplansky's, and Urban Smoke BBQ to name a few. There's been talk for some time of cutting the red tape that surrounds street food in Toronto, but aside from allowing hot dog vendors to sell salads and corn, this is the first major step in making that a reality. It would have been nice, of course, to see the pilot start earlier in the summer, but it's hard to complain given the positive and, quite frankly, unexpected nature of the news.

Both the councillors who spearheaded the pilot and food truck operators hope to turn the project into a permanent fixture and increase its range. For now, Toronto food trucks have a chance to shine in locations that make sense and with the full approval of Municipal Licensing and Standards. That sure sounds like progress to me.