Food trucks causing division

By Sean Feagan, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Food trucks hosted by the Strathmore and District Agricultural Society is helping the society during its time of lost revenue because of COVID-19 restrictions – but it’s also causing dissent.

Over the past week, area residents protested on social media that these food trucks could hurt local restaurants, when in-person dining is prohibited under public health measures.

According to Ryan Schmidt, the ag society’s CEO and general manager, the society was approached by a group of food trucks wanting to rent space at the Strathmore ag grounds to host some events there. He said hosting the food trucks helps generate funds for the non-profit ag society that also has lost revenue because of COVID-19.

“We thought that was an opportunity for a fun event for residents, and a chance to raise some revenue for the society, keeping in mind that our revenues were down 50 per cent last year due to COVID-19,” said Schmidt. “It certainly wasn’t intended to cause any offence or to harm local restaurants.”

The organization is “completely dedicated” to supporting local businesses and contractors, said Schmidt. “We always buy local whenever a contractor’s services are available in the town or the county.”

The ag society hosts many events each year, including the Strathmore Stampede, amateur and youth rodeos, barrel racing events, drive-in movies and concerts. 

“All of these drive immense amounts of visitors to our town and into our hotels and restaurants, and we always seek to support them,” noted Schmidt, adding the organization also reinvests its revenues into community facilities and programming, including its baseball diamonds and campground rental facilities.

“As an agricultural society, we place a huge priority on supporting local businesses and groups,” said Schmidt. “But there’s definitely times when we support initiatives that include groups from around our wonderful province.”