Post by Bornthrilla on Oct 6, 2004 14:15:37 GMT -5
A&T Homecoming vendors get ready
10-6-04
By Lanita Withers, Staff Writer
News & Record
GREENSBORO — Today, it’s just a gravel lot.
But, this weekend, War Memorial Stadium’s parking lot on Yanceyville Street will be transformed into The Pavilion, the informal name of the city-regulated vending area for N.C. A&T’s Homecoming.
Gone are the days of vendors lining the streets to hawk their wares for the thousands who attend the Homecoming celebration. This year, all vendors will be confined to the parking lot and will only be allowed to sell if they have the proper paperwork from the city of Greensboro and/or the Guilford County health department.
Since the changes were announced last month, government officials said their offices have been deluged with phone calls from people seeking information.
The county’s environmental health department received “a couple of hundred” phone calls, said Tobin Shepherd, food and lodging manager.
Initially, one department staffer was dedicated to handling phone calls and distribute applications regarding Homecoming.
But two more people had to be assigned as the Sept. 24 deadline approached to help process the calls and return applications, he said.
Shepherd said his department sent out close to 100 applications to food sellers, received half of those back and had about 30 vendors who were “prescreened,” meaning “in concept the vendors met the requirements of the health department.”<br>
The prescreened vendors’ facilities must still be inspected by health department officials on site Thursday before they receive a temporary food establishment permit from the department, he said.
Greensboro Tax Collector Chris Payne, whose department will issue permits for itinerant merchant vending, said his office has received just as many calls.
Payne and Shepherd said the changes would improve the celebration.
“I think it’s a step in the right direction in providing the infrastructure and providing an environment that’s more safe for the citizens of Greensboro and alumni and friends that come in from out of state,” Payne said. “To purchase food and to know it’s been properly prepared and handled, there’s some comfort level with that.”<br>
Government officials will begin assigning spots to vendors on a first-come, first-serve basis starting at 8 a.m. Thursday.
Assistant City Manager Ben Brown said the city has space for up to 170 vendors in the parking lot.
Vendors may start selling their goods Friday morning and stay open through Saturday night.
The new focus on regulation has eliminated some vendors from participating.
For the first time in three years, Kirby Evans won’t be selling his fish sandwiches at A&T’s Homecoming.
The Raleigh-based vendor doesn’t have a mobile unit equipped with hot and cold water sinks and refrigeration that would have met health department requirements.
Evans said he understands the city’s position and applauds the efforts to make Homecoming as safe as possible.
“I totally understand and agree with (the rationale behind the changes) because you don’t want people to get sick from eating food that isn’t sanitary,” he said.
On Tuesday night, more than two-dozen vendors urged the City Council to delay the new regulations until next year. Most said they only learned of the new rules in the last month.
Council didn’t take any action on the issue.
Vendor Michael Campbell said that confining the food vendors would hurt the festival atmosphere of the weekend.
“I think you’re killing tradition,” Campbell said.
Vendors want A&T’s event to be treated like downtown festivals such as July’s Fun Fourth, he said.
“How would you like it if Fun Fourth had all the staging in one place and all the food eight blocks down the street?” he said.
Staff writer Matt Williams contributed to this report.
Contact Lanita Withers at 373-7071 or lwithers@news-record.com
10-6-04
By Lanita Withers, Staff Writer
News & Record
GREENSBORO — Today, it’s just a gravel lot.
But, this weekend, War Memorial Stadium’s parking lot on Yanceyville Street will be transformed into The Pavilion, the informal name of the city-regulated vending area for N.C. A&T’s Homecoming.
Gone are the days of vendors lining the streets to hawk their wares for the thousands who attend the Homecoming celebration. This year, all vendors will be confined to the parking lot and will only be allowed to sell if they have the proper paperwork from the city of Greensboro and/or the Guilford County health department.
Since the changes were announced last month, government officials said their offices have been deluged with phone calls from people seeking information.
The county’s environmental health department received “a couple of hundred” phone calls, said Tobin Shepherd, food and lodging manager.
Initially, one department staffer was dedicated to handling phone calls and distribute applications regarding Homecoming.
But two more people had to be assigned as the Sept. 24 deadline approached to help process the calls and return applications, he said.
Shepherd said his department sent out close to 100 applications to food sellers, received half of those back and had about 30 vendors who were “prescreened,” meaning “in concept the vendors met the requirements of the health department.”<br>
The prescreened vendors’ facilities must still be inspected by health department officials on site Thursday before they receive a temporary food establishment permit from the department, he said.
Greensboro Tax Collector Chris Payne, whose department will issue permits for itinerant merchant vending, said his office has received just as many calls.
Payne and Shepherd said the changes would improve the celebration.
“I think it’s a step in the right direction in providing the infrastructure and providing an environment that’s more safe for the citizens of Greensboro and alumni and friends that come in from out of state,” Payne said. “To purchase food and to know it’s been properly prepared and handled, there’s some comfort level with that.”<br>
Government officials will begin assigning spots to vendors on a first-come, first-serve basis starting at 8 a.m. Thursday.
Assistant City Manager Ben Brown said the city has space for up to 170 vendors in the parking lot.
Vendors may start selling their goods Friday morning and stay open through Saturday night.
The new focus on regulation has eliminated some vendors from participating.
For the first time in three years, Kirby Evans won’t be selling his fish sandwiches at A&T’s Homecoming.
The Raleigh-based vendor doesn’t have a mobile unit equipped with hot and cold water sinks and refrigeration that would have met health department requirements.
Evans said he understands the city’s position and applauds the efforts to make Homecoming as safe as possible.
“I totally understand and agree with (the rationale behind the changes) because you don’t want people to get sick from eating food that isn’t sanitary,” he said.
On Tuesday night, more than two-dozen vendors urged the City Council to delay the new regulations until next year. Most said they only learned of the new rules in the last month.
Council didn’t take any action on the issue.
Vendor Michael Campbell said that confining the food vendors would hurt the festival atmosphere of the weekend.
“I think you’re killing tradition,” Campbell said.
Vendors want A&T’s event to be treated like downtown festivals such as July’s Fun Fourth, he said.
“How would you like it if Fun Fourth had all the staging in one place and all the food eight blocks down the street?” he said.
Staff writer Matt Williams contributed to this report.
Contact Lanita Withers at 373-7071 or lwithers@news-record.com
