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This just in from the California Mobile Food Association... what? Haven’t heard of them yet? You will.

A large contingent of mobile food truck operators banded together to form a new nonprofit organization, according to a Tuesday night press release from the alliance's founders.

The group, formally called the California Mobile Food Association (CalMFA) includes more than 20 area mobile food vendors. Their goal?

“Creating a supportive ecosystem for local mobile food businesses, driving awareness for local communities/charities and representing the voice of local mobile food operators within Sacramento’s business community,” according to the release.

President Chris Jarosz, owner of Wicked 'wich, said the new association is mostly food trucks, but it also incorporates other “out-of-the-box” mobile concepts including a trailer-based wood-fired pizza oven, a tricycle-based ice cream brand – and even a mobile boutique.

The association appears to be an outgrowth of NorCal Food Trucks, an association that was formed earlier this year. We’ll get more details from Jarosz as soon as we can.

The city has been working with brick-and-mortar restaurants and food truck operators to develop a new food truck ordinance that would soothe tensions between the two groups, but negotiations are still ongoing.

Midtown Business Association Executive Director Elizabeth Studebaker recently circulated a poll to Midtown business owners asking them what their thoughts are on mobile food. The deadline to respond is Aug. 6, and The Sacramento Press will follow up with the MBA at that point.

Despite those conflicts – or perhaps because of them – organizers of the newly formed CalMFA said the group will serve “as a means by which local business owners can collectively foster healthy relationships with local government and fellow businesses,” according to the release.

CalMFA operates under the brand FoodMob and can be found online at gofoodmob.com.

Melissa Corker is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press. Follow her on Facebook and on Twitter @MelissaCorker.

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MidtownPundit

edited on August 1, 2012 | 4:00 PM

How many food trucks operating in the City have Sacramento City business licenses? How many collect and pay sales taxes? Also - how many of the food trucks are locally owned rather than being driven here from the bay area? Let's be honest about taxes. How many have current inspections from the County Health Dept.?

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rogertang

April 1, 2013 | 4:29 PM

Every single one is based in the county or pays for a local license. I know all the trucks and with the exception of special events - where the trucks pay a large premium to vend for a day - I've never heard of out of area trucks trying to poach here. Gas is just too expensive. You'd have to sell here for 10 or 12 days just to break even on the gas, and then how would you handle resupply and your commissary every night?

These trucks pay a HUGE amount of local taxes, compared to restaurants.

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MrK

August 2, 2012 | 11:23 AM

As a food truck owner, i'd like to answer this question.
Every truck that operates in Sac County, City, Surrounding cities etc. Must have a license for each city and county. We are all required to have a BOE Reseller's permit and pay sales taxes. And every one must have current health inspections. In most cases the trucks are inspected as many as 30 times a year depending on the events they participate in. Of the 20+ truck members of CalMFA, the farthest member home base is Elk Grove, (3 trucks). The days of the 'roach coach' have passed, these trucks are as legit and in many cases cleaner then your neighborhood B&M.

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