Questions raised about quality and safety of food from vendors

Most Coconino students are familiar with the street vendors. They park on Izabel Street during lunch and sell food to students and faculty. Some of the vendors are from well-known restaurant chains, such as Chick-Fil-A and Dominos, while others are from independent vendors, such as The Archuleta Ice Cream Truck.

Students must choose from eating in the cafeteria, going to the vendors for food, or walking or driving to nearby restaurants.

“The food vendors are not authorized or sanctioned by CHS or FUSD,” Principal Stacie Zanzucchi said. “Their commercial licenses are registered through the City of Flagstaff. The curb where they park is city property, which is why they have the freedom to sell product there.”

Likewise, the food vendors do not follow rules set by the school, but by city health officials.

“The district does outline three major rules,” said “Champ,” the owner of Archuleta Ice Cream. “We [the vendors] have to stop selling five minutes before the bell rings, we have to pick up the trash and the third [rule] kind of overlaps the other. We just have to put away our stuff.”

In addition to the regulations they have to follow, every vendor is required to hold three permits.

According to Champ, vendors are required to have an Arizona transaction privilege license (sales tax permit), a health department permit and a city permit.

The health department permit ensures that the space being used to make food is clean, while a city permit is the City of Flagstaff’s way of regulating street vendors. The sales tax permit allows vendors to collect and pay sales tax on items sold.

The best way to verify the safety of your food is to ask to see the vendor’s certificates.

For further questions about food vendors and food safety, call the Flagstaff Health Department at (928) 679-7222.