Palm Springs’ first fully-licensed food cart takes picnics in the park to a whole new level

When asked to think of a food cart, most people would likely envision someone selling fruit on a hot day under a rainbow umbrella or those hot dogs on grills outside of concerts in Los Angeles.

But the city’s first fully licensed food cart is a little different. Palm Springs Charcuterie, the brainchild of local Adam Leemon, offers a selection of fruits, cheeses, meats, and sandwiches.

“We have a bit of a Mediterranean or French influence,” he said. “We offer small plates and starters.”

Leemon, a sommelier by trade, said he and his wife drove past Demuth Park one day, marveling at the greenery, dogs, playground, and pickleball. The only thing missing? Picnics.

“I have this vision of a picnic in the park experience,” he said. “It’s just something different than going to a restaurant. It allows you to really enjoy the amazing parks we have here in the city.”

He made his dream a reality in just a few months with help from the city and county. His first outing was in Demuth Park last week. He said the timing was serendipitous. He came up with the idea around June when the Palm Springs City Council was finalizing its new rules for street food vendors.

“I became almost like a template for the new rules since I was the first person going through the full process,” he said.

That entire process includes securing a business license from the city and a permit from Riverside County Environmental Health. Leemon said the process was easy for him. 

Recognizing it may not be as simple for some – including an estimated two dozen vendors operating here without a license – Deputy City Manager Flinn Fagg said Tuesday a workshop is planned on Oct. 12, starting at 11 a.m., at Palm Springs Public Library. At the workshop, city staff fluent in English and Spanish will assist vendors with obtaining all necessary permits.

Still, critics of the new rules say the permitting process and restrictions on vending downtown introduce too many roadblocks to immigrant and low-income entrepreneurs.  

In a letter to the city sent the week the new regulations passed, Juan Espinoza, an Equal Justice Works Fellow who has litigated on behalf of sidewalk vendors, wrote that the requirement for insurance and other red tape signals “[A]n unwelcoming disposition by the City of Palm Springs towards vendors and is contrary to how many flourishing cities throughout the world operate in support of street vendors.”

Leemon hopes the new rules will welcome a flourishing of new street food vendors, adding, “I think the rules the city put in place are ultimately to make sure the people working the street vending carts are taken care of.”

The future seems bright for Leemon and Palm Springs Charcuterie. He said he’s already been invited to work local events but wants to crawl before he runs. 

“We still haven’t even had our official opening,” he said. “That’s going to be in about another month.” He thinks he may bring Palm Springs Charcuterie to VillageFest and eventually open a brick-and-mortar shop.

For now, you can find the food cart in either Frances Stevens or Demuth parks Wednesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. Check out their website and social media for their location.

---