Food truck report gives small business owner bad publicity

Last week, Benjamin Pickett discovered reports of a black market of food trucks operating in Shreveport was slightly off. The Metropolitan Planning Commission reported early this month only seven out of more than 30 food trucks operating in Shreveport were licensed. The report was off by at least one registered business owner, because Pickett, who owns Garys Cajun Cuisine, has a license thats up to date. According to the citys Revenue Division, only seven food trucks are registered with the city for 2019. And, a simple Google search, Facebook inquiry or even calendar search of food trucks in Shreveport revealed a list of over 30 food truck vendors that operate, or have operated, in the city this year, said Adam Bailey, community planning and design manager for the Metropolitan Planning Commission. Bailey sent The Times the list of said seven trucks currently registered according to the Revenue Department. Pickett saw in a June 12 article that his business wasn't listed with the names of businesses registered with the city. He said customers approached him about the article and his business partner began getting phone calls.