[PapaDon]

We own a 1984 step-van type truck with a nice commercial kitchen built into it. We have used it to sell hot dogs and other foods for three summers. Although now it's parked here at home (needs $2000+ work to pass vehicle inspection), we can still use the kitchen in it, but it's just not possible to retrofit it to comply with this rule. Therefore, we won't be able to get the kitchen licensed again. Good thing we have a commercial homestead kitchen license for our home kitchen, which is not as nice as the one in the truck.

I know there is a safety factor with the vents, hoods, and fire-extinguishing systems, but you can't even fit all that in many of the fried food trucks and trailers. That's a lot of investment to suddenly become useless and put a few more folks out of work. I don't think that's what we need. Since a mobile kitchen does not need a food license to operate at fairs, etc. in NH (up to 2 weeks at temporary gatherings, last i knew), now they get them from the fire marshal's side. It's amazing that these units have been operating for years at fairs, festivals, M/C Week, etc. with no problem, but suddenly need to be "upgraded".