Keep the food carts open by restructuring new Oregon Health Authority rules
The Issue
Don’t Push Portland’s Small Food Cart Owners Out: Protect Maria and the Community That Built This City
For 20 years, Maria from Taqueria Francisco has served Portland.
Maria is an immigrant from Mexico who built a life here through hard work, determination, and a commitment to her community. Her food cart is not just a business — it is her livelihood, her family’s security, and the foundation that allows her to provide for her children.
Today, Maria is afraid.
She is afraid that new policies and rising costs could force her out of the only business she has spent two decades building. She is afraid that she may not be able to feed her own children while trying to comply with rules that could overwhelm a small independent vendor.
But Maria represents something bigger than one food cart.
For years, Portland’s food carts have been a place where immigrant entrepreneurs, working families, and small business owners heave been able to chase the American dream. They have brought culture, jobs, and community to our city.
Maria has done more than sell food. She has taken care of the people around her. It's our time to return that favor.
We believe public health and safety matter. But policies must be created with the people who are most affected at the table. Regulations should not unintentionally destroy the very small businesses that make Portland unique.
WE ARE ASKING OUR LEADERS TO:
• Reevaluate policies that place disproportionate financial burdens on small food cart owners.
• Listen directly to vendors and property owners before making decisions that affect their livelihoods.
• Create realistic, affordable pathways for compliance.
• Protect the immigrant entrepreneurs and small businesses that have helped build Portland’s identity.
Maria’s story is Portland’s story: neighbors helping neighbors, entrepreneurs creating opportunity, and communities taking care of each other.
Do not let the policies meant to improve our city force out the very people who have spent years making it better.
Protect Portland’s food carts. Protect small businesses. Protect the people who feed our community.
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The Issue
Don’t Push Portland’s Small Food Cart Owners Out: Protect Maria and the Community That Built This City
For 20 years, Maria from Taqueria Francisco has served Portland.
Maria is an immigrant from Mexico who built a life here through hard work, determination, and a commitment to her community. Her food cart is not just a business — it is her livelihood, her family’s security, and the foundation that allows her to provide for her children.
Today, Maria is afraid.
She is afraid that new policies and rising costs could force her out of the only business she has spent two decades building. She is afraid that she may not be able to feed her own children while trying to comply with rules that could overwhelm a small independent vendor.
But Maria represents something bigger than one food cart.
For years, Portland’s food carts have been a place where immigrant entrepreneurs, working families, and small business owners heave been able to chase the American dream. They have brought culture, jobs, and community to our city.
Maria has done more than sell food. She has taken care of the people around her. It's our time to return that favor.
We believe public health and safety matter. But policies must be created with the people who are most affected at the table. Regulations should not unintentionally destroy the very small businesses that make Portland unique.
WE ARE ASKING OUR LEADERS TO:
• Reevaluate policies that place disproportionate financial burdens on small food cart owners.
• Listen directly to vendors and property owners before making decisions that affect their livelihoods.
• Create realistic, affordable pathways for compliance.
• Protect the immigrant entrepreneurs and small businesses that have helped build Portland’s identity.
Maria’s story is Portland’s story: neighbors helping neighbors, entrepreneurs creating opportunity, and communities taking care of each other.
Do not let the policies meant to improve our city force out the very people who have spent years making it better.
Protect Portland’s food carts. Protect small businesses. Protect the people who feed our community.
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Petition created on August 10, 2026