The Municipality of Meaford has launched an improved Refreshment Vendor Licensing Program for 2025 to better support food and beverage vendors operating in municipal parks, at special events, and in public spaces.
The updated program includes a simplified structure, reducing the number of vendor license classes from seven to two, and introduces a new lottery system for assigning municipal locations.
Vendors interested in operating at one of six designated municipal locations must submit their application by May 15. As part of the application, vendors will rank their preferred locations. If multiple vendors request the same site, a lottery will be conducted.
The six municipal locations available for the 2025 season are:
- Fred Raper Park (1 location)
- Blue Dolphin Pool (1 location)
- Meaford & St. Vincent Community Centre (Arena) (1 location)
- Meaford Harbour (3 locations)
The lottery will take place on May 16, and selected vendors will be permitted to operate at their assigned location until October 15.
License Categories and Fees
The two vendor classes are as follows:
- Class A – Motorized Food Sales
Examples: Food trucks, trailers, motorized ice cream vendors
Fees: $500 (new license) | $300 (annual renewal) - Class B – Non-Motorized Food Sales
Examples: Carts, coolers, BBQs, bicycle refreshment stands
Fees: $300 (new license) | $200 (annual renewal)
Vendors participating in a special event for five days or less will be subject to a fee of:
- $100, or
- $65 for not-for-profit organizations or vendors licensed in another municipality.
Permitted Zones for Operation
Licensed Refreshment Vehicles may operate in the following zones:
Commercial Zones:
- Downtown Commercial (C1)
- Highway Commercial (C2)
- Neighbourhood Commercial (C3)
Other Zones:
- Residential Transitional (RT)
- Urban Area Waterfront (UAW)
- Agricultural (A)*
- Special Agricultural (SA)*
- Rural (RU)*
*Permitted only if a Farm Produce Outlet is currently operating on the lot.
Applications are now open. Vendors can apply online and access full program details at meaford.ca/foodvendors. Licenses are valid for the calendar year in which they are issued.
