PASCO, Wash. – Unlicensed street vendors continue to grow in central Washington, prompting community leaders to address the issue. A town hall organized by the Benton Franklin Health District focused on the impact of selling food without proper permits and the associated safety concerns.
The town hall was not about shutting down vendors but rather about educating the community on the risks involved. Health district officials emphasized that education is as important as enforcement in tackling the issue.
Erin Hockaday from the health district highlighted the challenges faced due to unlicensed vendors.
“Our priority is always food safety and food security, so when we have some vendors that are highly coordinated and evading that system, it makes it really challenging for us to go through our normal enforcement route,” Hockaday said.
She explained that inspectors have to work late nights and involve law enforcement to ensure compliance.
“We are coming out with law enforcement just because of the continued challenges we’ve had with getting them licensed and some of the safety issues we’ve seen out in the field,” Hockaday said.
Jacob Willcox, a community member who attended the meeting, shared his newfound awareness of the problem.
“Before today, I didn’t really have any idea how big the problem was. It seems like it’s pervasive and really extends beyond our area. I’m more concerned now than I was before I showed up,” Willcox said.
Willcox expressed concerns about food safety and the difficulty for customers to identify potential risks.
“How do you reach the people like me who just, you know, some places maybe nice to eat and, that’s a concern,” Willcox said.
Officials stressed that community outreach is essential in addressing the issue.
“I think events like tonight are the only kind of step forward you really can take. I mean, it seems like public outreach is the number one way to solve the problem,” Willcox said.
Health leaders plan to continue collaborating with state partners and encourage residents to check for proper permits and report any concerns. City officials indicated that more educational events could be scheduled in the coming months to keep the public informed.
