COLUMBUS, Ohio — Truckers traveling Ohio highways will now be able to stop and grab a bite to eat from food truck vendors who have been given permission to operate at the state’s rest stops.
According to the Ohio Department of Transportation, “this is an effort to better serve the truck drivers who play a vital role in helping flatten the curve.”
Food truck operators can now set up at ODOT-maintained rest areas. This is an effort to better serve the truck drivers who play a vital role in helping #FlattenTheCurve. Permits are available here: https://t.co/yH5rmAkpgh#InThisTogetherOhio pic.twitter.com/ZwzCecshNy
— Ohio Dept of Transportation (@ODOT_Statewide) April 10, 2020
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine made the announcement on Friday during his daily coronavirus news conference.
“It is important for our truck drivers and other central personal to have access to hot meals as they get food and other essential items to our grocery stores,” DeWine said. “Truckers, I give a shout out to them—they’re making a difference. They certainly are essential.”
DeWine said he was notified last week by the Federal Highway Administration that it would temporarily allow the state to use food trucks.
Following that, ODOT created a new permit that allows food vendors to sell food to truck drivers and other essential personnel stopping at the state’s 86 rest areas, DeWine stated.
There is no charge for the permit and vendors who are interested in obtaining one can find them on the ODOT website, here.
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