Food truck operators excited that they could sell alcohol if Bill 80 passes in Alberta Legislature

Some food truck operators are excited they may soon be able to sell alcohol to customers, if a proposed piece of provincial legislation goes through.

Bill 80, the Red Tape Reduction Implementation Act, had its first reading in the Legislative Assembly this week. If passed, the bill, among other things, would allow municipalities to create entertainment districts where adults may responsibly drink alcohol in public.

Alberta Finance Minister Travis Toews suggested this could allow businesses, such as food trucks or kiosks, to sell alcohol like they would at a restaurant.

"We're way behind on this... There's lots of people doing this [in other parts of the world]," said Todd Buehrer, who works sales for A Cappella Catering and Curbside food truck.

"What a great way to enhance the experience of coming to a food truck. Food trucks are fun. To be able to offer something like that, it would be not just great for our food truck but for every food truck operator."

The COVID-19 pandemic has been brutal on the service industry, as restaurants have had to adapt their operations to public health restrictions.

Food trucks, Buehrer says, are no different, plus their season is shorter due to cold weather months. Adding another revenue stream, that happens to help other businesses in the process, is "a great idea."

Michael Forgie, partner and operations officer of Fox Burger, was thrilled to hear about the proposed legislation.

Food truck customers often ask if they sell beer, so being able to provide that would be a plus from a customer-service standpoint, he said.

But opening a can of beer is also a service operators can easily provide and afford.

"We get that extra revenue stream without really increasing the amount of labour costs that we have. But also we get to use another way to support the Alberta craft beer scene," Forgie said.

"There are no downside scenarios."

Christy Morin, executive director of Arts on the Ave, sees Bill 80 as a potential opportunity, but one that needs to be approached carefully.

"It's all about regulating and really encouraging people to have a good time, but to have a safe time together," she said.