National Food Truck Day – June 26, 2026

History of National Food Truck Day

Food trucks are inspired by centuries-old food carts dating back to the 17th century. Vendors traded food from small carts or moveable mini kitchens, and the practice is still common today where they are found on street corners, in parks, and catering to hungry crowds at special events. Chuckwagons were the first types of food trucks. They sold edibles like beans, cured meat, coffee, and biscuits to ranchers and loggers in the southern part of the country.

In 1936, the Wienermobile became the first official modern food truck. These were vehicles shaped like a hot dog on a bun that traveled the country selling hot dogs at parades, schools, and hospitals. By the 1950s, ice cream vans were a familiar sight in many neighborhoods across the United States. The kids loved the cheerful tunes and frozen treats. Even adults would sometimes indulge in the pleasure. The year 2008 arrived with a great boom for the food truck business, with increased online popularity and customers never seen before, with the likes of Kogi BBQ and New York’s Rickshaw Dumpling Bar thriving.

In 2016, a holiday for food trucks kicked off, spearheaded by the organization Roaming Hunger. Its goal was to prompt people to frequent food trucks run by small local businesses. Initially called National Eat at a Food Truck Day, it was renamed National Food Truck Day in 2018. The date of the celebration also changed from October to June.

Food trucks have changed into reputable businesses serving innovative menus offering trendy cuisine that cater to budgets both big and small, often using locally sourced ingredients. National Food Truck Day is not a national holiday and has no constitutional backing, but an opportunity to support local businesses and enjoy a treat at the same time.