Geographies of Current and Historic Street Food Sites and Licensing Patterns in Montpellier, France

Keywords: mobile food vending, food trucks, food carts, food justice, regulation of public space
Session Type: Virtual Paper Abstract
Day: Friday
Session Start / End Time: 2/25/2022 05:20 PM (Eastern Time (US & Canada)) - 2/25/2022 06:40 PM (Eastern Time (US & Canada))
Room: Virtual 43

Abstract

Our research presents a panorama of current and historic forms of “street food” in the Montpellier region of southern France by combining archival data on street food licenses with current day mapping and interviews. In France, food sales on streets and boulevards have been little studied, with the exception of organized outdoor markets. However, such sales are part of both the historic and current foodscape of French cities. These include food stands at established markets, mobile food peddlers and carts, roadside produce stands, and food trucks. Historically, the municipality of Montpellier has utilized the provision of licenses for food selling on the street as both a city planning mechanism and a social safety net. Permits were balanced between neighborhoods, and opening new markets and permits were furnished in newly created communities and neighborhoods where open-air markets were lacking. In addition, at many times, in particular following World War I, permits were prioritized for war widows and veterans. Today, sales of food on the street complement the retail food landscape in areas where this is low, and formal and informal sales provide a living for Roma and other ethnic minorities. Hence, it contributes to a fairer urban food system, although connections to local food production and surrounding rural areas appear limited.