Council’s mobile food van program opens new doors

Published on 24 October 2025

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When Kayne and Emily first rolled up to Sandfield Reserve, Carrum Downs in 2021 with their coffee van Messin’ with Jim, they had no idea it would lead to a thriving national business. But thanks to the opportunity to test their products and connect with customers through Frankston City Council’s mobile food van program, they refined a range of chai blends that now form the heart of their successful spin-off brand, Caravan Chai.

“The van was the perfect delivery system for us to get feedback on our products,” Kayne said.

“Owning a tea company was a pipe dream that has become a reality.”

While no longer owning the van, Caravan Chai today produces hundreds of kilograms of their six unique blends each month from a manufacturing site in Carrum Downs and distributes it across the country. They show no signs of stopping anytime soon, with another two chai blends on the way.

Their story is a powerful example of how Council’s mobile food van program can help local entrepreneurs test ideas and turn them into thriving businesses.

Follow in Kayne and Emily’s footsteps: Mobile Food Van EOI opens Monday 20 October

Frankston City Council is now inviting food and drink vendors to apply for licences to operate at 11 designated sites across nine locations, with Expressions of Interest opening Monday 20 October.

This initiative builds on engagement with the community, sports clubs and vendors in 2023 to develop the original Guidelines for Mobile Food Van Operators that prioritise fairness, transparency, and support for local entrepreneurship. The guidelines were reviewed and updated this year following further engagement with vendors and include:

  • Streamlined application and assessment
  • Transparent licence terms (24 or 36 months)
  • Site sharing to support more vendors
  • Revised fees based on site amenities (to also reflect utility cost increases) and visitation
  • New site added at Carrum Downs Recreation Reserve (also based on feedback from the community)

Frankston City Council Interim CEO Cam Arullanantham said mobile food vans were becoming more popular and the site leasing program was one of many in place to support businesses in Frankston City - but that it was critical that the licensing allocation was fair.

“While we acknowledge that the community will have its favourite operators, community sentiment isn’t a criterion that we can apply,” he said.

“The overall assessment process needs to ensure equal opportunity for all applicants and the EOI process must be objective, transparent and consistent with Council's adopted procurement process to ensure fairness to all applicants.”

Designated sites include:

  • Oliver’s Hill boat ramp, Frankston (two sites)
  •  Ballam Park, Frankston (two sites)
  • Overport Park, Frankston
  • Riviera car park, Seaford
  • Carrum Downs Recreation Reserve, Carrum Downs
  • Lloyd Park, Langwarrin
  • Robinsons Park, Frankston South
  • Seaford North play space, Seaford
  • Sandfield Reserve, Carrum Downs

Key EOI food van dates:

  • EOI open: 20 October – 17 November 2025
  • Eligibility checks: 18 November – 21 November
  • Assessment period: 24 November – 19 December
  • Successful applicants notified: January 2026
  • New licences commence: 1 June 2026

For more information and to apply, visit: www.frankston.vic.gov.au/tempandmobiletrading

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