This article is much more than just another article on the mobile food industry; it’s the start of a petition. Mobile Cuisine Magazine wants to show our support for the industry we cover by starting a campaign to create a National Mobile Food Vendor Day in the United States. The question “why we should or should not have a Mobile Food Vendor Day” has been on our minds for some time now.
The goal of this article is to launch this campaign and begin spreading the word to get as much support as possible. Take a few minutes to read through, we truly appreciate your time and support.
In US (and the rest of the world), there are so many Federal and State holidays commemorating distinct cultural and political events. We have holidays for teachers, mothers, fathers, grandparents, martyrs, workers… so, our question is: why don’t we have a national day for these culinary entrepreneurs? A national day isn’t really about who gets to skip work for a day and relax or go on a parade; it’s about recognition and respect.
A national day named after one of the most hardworking segments of the country’s population would be a step in the right direction – and here are our five top reasons why it is:
Mobile food vendors are part of the fabric of the country
While these small businesses may not generate billions of dollars of revenue per year individually, their contribution to the economy, employment and helping those looking for different avenues to get fresh, local, gourmet food has been growing. Doesn’t this fact alone deserve recognition, on a national scale?
Entrepreneurs need a day off, too
Though many of these small business owners would still be working even if a national day was proclaimed in their name, at least they would be encouraged to take a break, at least for one day. These culinary professional are known for burning the candle from both ends. That’s a hard fact, and none of these mobile vendors will tell you that setting up a small business and maintaining his start-up was an easy task. With a National Mobile Food Vendors Day, these entrepreneurs can take a guilt-free break from the streets. They can take a break because they deserve a day’s worth of guilt-free rest.
Other professionals are recognized, nationally
There’s Teacher’s Day to pay homage to the tireless educators of the country, Labor’s Day to recognize the pride of the working people… why isn’t there a National Mobile Food Vendor Day to recognize the unmatched sacrifices that chefs make to survive and thrive month after month and year after year? Every type of labor has the same kind of dignity – and one’s dignity in his own labor should be recognized and remembered by all. Call it “monument-making”, but it’s far better than being forgotten completely. This day will promote and support the mobile food vendor and help people realize that there is an alternative to a traditional nine to five job.
Recognition equates representation
Once mobile food vendors are recognized nationally as significant contributors to Local, State and National economies, they would have more cultural capital and hence a stronger and better representation.
Why not?!
Seriously, after everything that the mobile food vendors have done to add a new avenue for the people of the country to taste fresh gourmet food of nearly every cuisine imaginable, can you really think of a reason why we should not recognize them?
So, please support this petition for a National Mobile Food Vendors day on March 5th. One brief moment is all it will take you to sign.
Once you sign the petition and confirm your signature (if you do not see a confirmation email shortly after submission, check your spam mail box to make sure it is there), you’ll be given an option to link to Twitter and Facebook which will allow you to get your friends, family, and followers to sign it. Share it with as many people as you like, tweet about it, post on your Facebook wall, Digg it, StumbleUpon it, blog about it, email it, our initial goal is 10,000 signatures but if we can, let’s get a million signatures and make sure that on next March 5th, we will be able to wish ‘Happy Mobile Food Vendors Day’ to every mobile culinary entrepreneur.
Power and success to all of you in the mobile food industry!