View Ottawa's 18 new Food Vendors in a larger map

Ottawa will see 18 new food vendors opening up starting this May.

Most of the trucks will be spread through the city's downtown core with vendors just east, west and south of downtown.

City councillors approved a new street food vending program in the fall with the opening of up to 20 spaces for new trucks with diverse menus.

City staff received 61 applications and chose 18 winners, including both trucks and carts, which will open in addition to the current 44 licensed food vendors in Ottawa.

The volunteer selection panel consisted of the Ontario Restaurant, Hotel & Motel Association, the Ottawa Branch of the Canadian Culinary Federation, Savour Ottawa, Just Food and Ottawa Public Health.

The director of the Sparks Street Business Improvement Area, Les Gagne, said he hoped to hold a street-food festival this summer.