‘I just want to be able to run my business’: Boston food-cart program leaves vendors frustrated

On hot summer days, street cart vendors bring savory smells to the bustle of Boston’s Newbury Street and Copley Square. The carts dole out cold slices of mango dipped in tangy Tajin and scoops of hot street corn topped with mayo, crema, cotija cheese, and hot sauce.

Behind this charming scene, some street cart vendors have been embroiled in a thorny two-year relationship with City Hall marked by frustration and communication challenges.

The Food Cart Pilot Program, introduced in 2024 and intended to make easier pathways for these small, often immigrant-owned operations, has caused confusion and profit losses for businesses already working with thin margins.