PTO Fundraising Moves Forward After Food Truck Provider Backs Out

MEDFORD, MA — Fundraising will continue for the Andrews Middle School PTO after a food truck provider withdrew its application for a planned event. Food Truck Ventures backed out of the March 3 fundraiser amid pushback from the City Council.

Councilor George Scarpelli told Patch the spirit of the event was something the council supported, but he wanted to focus on supporting local businesses. He and Councilor Adam Knight, who also voiced concerns about the company, donated to the PTO and reached out to local businesses to gauge their interest in fundraising for the school.

Four restaurants – Carroll's, Raso's, Avellino's and Salvatore's – have plans to fundraise in some capacity, Scarpelli said.

"We never want to see these kids punished," Scarpelli said.

Food Truck Ventures first approached the city last spring about hosting a series of trucks around Medford, Knight told Patch. The company was granted a permit for five locations, but the events were never held and the time period for the permits expired.

The company then reapplied for five more dates but were turned down, Knight said.

"This is when the restrictions got heightened," Knight said. "A number of brick and mortar stores had restrictions in place and were hurting. We didn't think it was a good idea to approve the food truck when businesses are hurting."

Food Truck Ventures then approached the PTO directly, a move that city councilors criticized at a Feb. 23 meeting. There were also concerns about price-gouging and the company using the event to start a marketing campaign.

The council ultimately approved the fundraiser 7-0 before the company pulled its application. Anne-Marie Aigner, founder of Food Truck Ventures, said she had never experienced a meeting "as nasty as this."

Aigner said her company will no longer consider holding events in Medford.

"We were disappointed that the applicant decided to withdraw from the event," Knight said. "[We're] making sure our business community has a voice as well as our school community."

Previously: Food Truck Provider, Medford Council Spar Over PTO Fundraiser