Toronto's latest proposal for yumming up the city, is Toronto a la cart. A lofty project unintentionally aimed at new immigrants as a method of broadening street eats. Currently, if you want to eat-street, you have a choice of hot dogs (with various toppings), sausage, and in some cases fries and burgers.

The goal is to introduce food carts that serve nutritious, ethnically diverse food in a manner that protects health and safety. Furthermore, participation the project provides valuable information to the city, as they would be able to monitor the success of the program.

The list of foods now available for street meat vendors to include in their menus, based upon nutritional considerations, includes:

o Pre-packaged fruits and vegetables
o Whole fruits and vegetables
o Pre-packaged fruit salad
o Bagels with butter, margarine, peanut butter or jam
o Pre-packaged nuts and seeds
o Pre-packaged salads containing only vegetables and/or fruits
o Pre-packaged Tabbouleh salad and pita bread
o Soup
o Pretzels
o Veggie burgers
o Coffees and teas

Hot dog scented apples... mmmmmmmmmmm... Kind of reminds me of the gravy at Cluck, Grunt and Low! Sausage gravy that tastes like hot dog sauce - so sick.

While this sounds very exciting for those wishing to take part, the numerous hoops potential participants must jump through pose serious challenges. The biggest obstacle presented by the City of Toronto, is no subsidies for new cart purchases. Participants are required to spend $21,000 - $28,000+ on a food cart from Crown Verity, a firm chosen by the city. So depending on the specific needs of the ethnic food vendor, the cart could cost a lot or a heck of a lot.

Overall, this being a pilot project, those wishing to participate also must accept that after the 3-years is up, there's considerable uncertainty on whether or not they will be able to continue using their carts.

Toronto a la cart was proposed by city councillors including Councillor John Filion, who was instrumental in launching the program. According to Toronto Star, Filion recognizes that there would be significant start up costs associated with participating in the program, however, he says, "I think they'll make a very, very good income."

While the possibility of making a "very, very good income" is as concrete as a mud foundation in the rain, what is certain is the 70% time commitment that cart owners must devote to operating their stand. How will the inspectors who are monitoring the process know? The vendor's photo will be attached to the cart at all times.

Fun fun fun.

Overall, the people who have been attending the information sessions are mostly new immigrants. According to Stats Can, 18.5% of new immigrants remain in the low-income bracket for over 4 years after they initially moved to Canada. So startling enough, low-income is rampant amongst those new to the country - therefore it is particularly heart breaking to consider that these individuals, looking to get established, will be required to not only pay a $150 application fee, a $375 business license fee, a $5000-$15,000 location fee (because Toronto has pre-selected 15 areas in the city where these new carts will be located), a $20-28,000 cart as well as the food on offer.

Brutal.

Good thing this is a city of Toronto pilot. Because, I'm sure the expenses would be very high if it weren't - OH WAIT THEY WOULD BE EXACTLY THE SAME!

Well, if I were my Dad and this was a business deal proposed to me by a potential partner - I would tell them to go stuff themselves.

Toronto, this is YOUR pilot. YOU should subsidize something!