Food truck dispute heading towards positive outcome

Andrea Roberts
Times Contributor

 

Despite apprehension about the Calgary food trucks taking away business from the Lions club food stalls during the Strathmore Stampede and Heritage Days, talks between the Strathmore Agricultural Society and the Strathmore Lions club have been positive.
The Ag Society announced that during the Stampede and Heritage Days the Calgary food trucks would help to feed patrons, in hopes that food trucks will help draw an even larger crowd to the event.
Herb McLane, the Ag Society president, said the food trucks would benefit the park and the Lions club as it revolves around the theme of food, food choice, and beverage, which is an Agricultural theme.
“Calgary food trucks have a clientele that follows them, their choices are varied and none of them fit the profile of Lions,” said McLane.
“We are in the view that the Lions will benefit from the increased patronage on the grounds during the event and given their immediate location will have the benefit of the immediate clientele that spills out of the grandstand and the beer gardens. With these factors we’re optimistic that the Lions will do even better.”
Despite such reassurance, there are some Lions club members who feel that the trucks will take away their profits and those of the community. A meeting was held to discuss the situation.
“Unfortunately their way of going about it does impact some of our sales, but on the other hand we feel like we can complete with the food trucks in terms of quality and cost,” said Greg Helfrich, president of the Strathmore Lions Club. “So the meeting, I think, it was quite positive.”
He added they will continue to work together because it is in the best interest of both organizations to make the food trucks work.
While having the food trucks at the event is already a solid decision, the meeting was held to try to keep both organizations happy. One of the things discussed was the Ag Society wanting the food trucks all in one area while the Lions club suggested they be spread out.
The meeting hosted a diverse group of opinions. Some were happy to have the competition, some were happy to have a variety of food, and some completely disagreed with having the food trucks at the event. However, Helfrich said there was a certain willingness to explore different options as well as working together to improve the attendance.
“This doesn’t need to be a fight and I don’t think it is turning into one,” says Helfrich.
“It is just a difference of opinion. Those that disagreed did so agreeably.”