A mobile cooking operation (MCO) is a vehicle, trailer or cart that may be parked or sited on a temporary basis and when stationary, is used to produce, cook, sell or distribute food. This could be a van, truck or trailer converted to contain a mobile commercial grade kitchen.
In addition to the business licence application, for a MCO to legally operate inside the City limits, all units are required to have an inspection from the Fire Department, Alberta Health Services and City Inspection Services.
What to expect:
Once the business applies for their business licence, the business will be contacted to bring their MCO to a set time and location to have their unit inspected.
Upon successful inspections, the unit will be awarded a sticker, from each authority for the current year. If one (or more) of the inspection is not successful, the operator will be provided with items that need to be corrected before receiving their sticker.
Once all inspections are deemed successful and the MCO receives their stickers from each authority, the business licence will be issued. All MCOs are required to be inspected on an annual basis. This inspection occurs at the initial business licence application and for every business licence renewal.
Where to park:
MCOs can park on non-residential (commercial parking lots) private property with permission of the property owner.
MCOs that would like to utilize public/city-owned property, which includes Muskoseepi Park, Centre 2000, downtown, CKC turf field/grandstands, and the Montrose Cultural Centre, must obtain approval first.
The application form to utilize at these locations can be found here.
Additional Requirements:
When operating a MCO in Grande Prairie, the MCO is to provide recycling and waste receptacles to customers when their unit is open for business, unless the unit is participating in an event where receptacles are provided by the event organizer.