HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO VEND AS A FOOD VENDOR AT OAKLAND FIRST FRIDAYS?
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Food vending pricing depends on the following criteria:
1) Whether you are registering as a truck or booth.
2) How much space your setup requires.


HOW DOES THE REGISTRATION PROCESS WORK?
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Step 1:
You must register to create an account in our system before you are approved and before we can process your payment. Your space is not officially reserved until you process your payment. Following processed payment, we work on a first paid, first reserved basis. Pricing varies depending on size and type of business, please call us at 510-361-0615 or email event@oaklandfirstfridays.org for a quote.
Please note, we prioritize Oakland-based and local vendors and those willing to donate food to our volunteers since our mission is to uplift our community and its small businesses.
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‍Step 2:
To process your payment, click the link sent to your registered email address after approval.

‍Step 3:
Next, log in to modify your registration.

‍Step 4:
After you log in be sure the vending category no longer reads “pending approval.”

‍Step 5:
Continue to follow the steps and process your payment at the end of the process.

‍Step 6:
After you create an account your stored information is saved. However, you must register each month to receive a new reference number. Reference numbers are specific to each month.


WHAT DOCUMENTS AND INFORMATION DO I NEED TO PROVIDE AT REGISTRATION?
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Food Trucks
- Primary email address
- Mobile phone number for emergency purposes and important updates
- City of Oakland Business License - Food Vendors (REQUIRED)
- California State Board of Equalization Seller’s Permit (REQUIRED)
- Oakland First Inspection Certificate (Sticker) - We are not required to see this prior to registration
- Hood Inspection Tag  - We are not required to see this prior to registration
- Health Permit - Alameda County Health Department (REQUIRED)
- Certificate of Insurance (COI) - (REQUIRED)
- Recycling Agreement - (REQUIRED)  
- All containers and utensils MUST be biodegradableConditions of Participate - (REQUIRED)
- Every vendor must upload a picture of their business and their vendor setup to our system

Food Booths
- Business License - Food Vendors (REQUIRED)
- California State Board of Equalization Seller’s Permit (REQUIRED)
- Oakland First Fridays must be listed on your seller’s permit
- Tent = State of California Fire Marshall Rated Tent
- Fire Extinguisher ABC versus K extinguisher
- Propane = Pressure Testing Kit
- Crates for Propane and the Fire Extinguishers
- Health Permit - Alameda County Health Department (REQUIRED)
- Be listed on Oakland First Fridays - Food Sponsor List ( REQUIRED)
- Certificate of Insurance (COI) - (REQUIRED)
- Recycling Agreement - (REQUIRED)  
- All containers and utensils MUST be biodgradable
- Conditions of Participate - (REQUIRED)
- Every vendor must upload a picture of their business and their vendor setup to our system

I JUST COMPLETED AN APPLICATION. HOW LONG UNTIL I HEAR BACK?

There is an estimated wait time of approximately 24-72 hours for new food vendors. This wait time is subject to change depending on the status of the event planning.

Feel free to contact us at event@oaklandfirstfridays.org for a status update.

When spaces open up for new food vendors, we contact you directly both via the email and phone number provided in your account.

*Oakland food vendors willing to donate food for our volunteers have priority invite into our event. Oakland First Fridays’ is almost entirely volunteer-run and your contributions are greatly appreciated!

HOW LONG DOES MY APPROVAL LAST?

Once approved, Oakland First Fridays invites new food vendors in for a minimum of 3 months.

This allows for a discounted price when obtaining a health permit from the Alameda County compared to applying for a single month.Approvals extending beyond the 3 months are possible and depend on Oakland First Fridays space availability.If you have a food truck and are interested in coming in for a one-month time frame when available, please let us know. If a space unexpectedly opens up, we may contact you regarding this opportunity.

WHAT IS THE BEST LOCATION TO RESERVE A BOOTH SPACE IN THE EVENT?

Location preferences vary between vendors, business type and the expectations a vendor has regarding a successful experience. Oakland First Fridays brings between 30,000 and 50,000 people to every event, providing great opportunity for exposure.

HOW DO I MEASURE MY SPACE WHEN I BEGIN SETTING UP?

Our food and beverage coordinator is there to assist incoming food vendors find their scheduled placement. Please Oakland First Friday workers (wearing orange and yellow vests) for help on your set up.

HOW LONG DO I HAVE TO MAKE MY PAYMENT IN ORDER TO SECURE A SPACE?

You have until noon the Monday before the event.

However, keep in mind spaces are reserved on a first paid, first reserved basis. The faster you make your payment, the better chances of reserving a space before they are all filled.All food vendors must register into the new month despite whether it is their first month or not. All payments are completed in this manner.If you contact us directly explaining a situation, we may be able accommodate you. We appreciate any communication from our participants and we encourage you to reach out.

**All deadlines are subject to change, according to the status of the event becoming full.**

WHY WAS I NOT PLACED IN MY LOCATION REQUEST?

Vending spaces are limited and granted on a first paid, first reserved basis. Please pay for your invoice as soon as possible for the best chance of ensuring your location request. Not all location requests are guaranteed.

WHAT DO I DO IF I HAVE NOT HEARD BACK FROM THE OAKLAND FIRST FRIDAYS TEAM OR RECEIVED ANY INFORMATION ABOUT THE EVENT SETUP, ETC?

Please check your registered account to see if your email address is typed in correctly. If an email address is incorrectly submitted, you will not receive the notifications from Oakland First Fridays. Prior to event day, be sure to give us a call at (510) 361-0615 or reach out to us at event@oaklandfirstfridays.org.

WHEN DOES REGISTRATION OPEN AND CLOSE?

Registration opens as early as the Tuesday following every First Fridays event and closes as soon as spaces are sold out or the Tuesday before the event.

**All deadlines are subject to change depending on the status of event becoming sold out.**

IF I HAVE ALREADY REGISTERED FOR A PAST EVENT DO I HAVE TO RE-REGISTER TO PARTICIPATE IN A NEW EVENT?

Once you’ve created an account in our system, all you need to do is click “subscribe” for an upcoming event to register.

WHY DO I HAVE TO REGISTER AGAIN WHEN I’VE ALREADY CREATED AN ACCOUNT?

Your registration is different from creating an account. Your account is where all of your information is stored. Registration allows you to make a new payment, secure a spot and receive a new reference number. Reference numbers are specific to each month. Furthermore, Oakland First Fridays may sell vendor spaces for several months or a year at a time. Creating a new registration and reference number each month helps us understand and build this feature.

WHY WAS I NOT RESERVED A SPACE WHEN I APPLIED EARLY?

Vending spaces are limited and are granted on a first paid, first reserved basis. Please pay for your invoice as soon as possible to reserve your space before the event spaces fill.

WHAT IS THE POLICY IN REGARDS TO RAINED-OUT EVENTS?

We check weather reports on the Wednesday before the event and make the decision whether or not to cancel for that month. If we postpone we post it on our home page, social media and in an email sent to all registered vendors. Your payment will be automatically reserved for the following month. If you cannot participate the following month, contact us immediately for a refund.

IS THERE A WAITING LIST?
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Yes! Our registration system will inform you if spaces are sold out and ask if you would like to be placed on our waiting list.

WHERE CAN I FIND MY SPACE NUMBER AND LOCATION?
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When you arrive at the event, check in at the KONO tent in front of 2633 Telegraph and you will be given a location.

WHAT HAPPENS IF I CANNOT MAKE AN EVENT BUT I ALREADY PAID FOR MY SPACE?
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You must cancel by 3pm Monday before the event, to be eligible for a full refund. You must cancel by 3pm on Wednesday before the event, to receive a credit towards the following month.If you cancel after 3pm on Thursday, you will not receive a refund OR credit.**All food vendors must give notice by 3pm on the Friday before event day in order to receive a credit.**All cancellation notices should be sent to event@oaklandfirstfridays.org.
PLEASE NOTE: We do not accept phone calls or emails the day of the event and will return your phone call or email the following week.

IMPORTANT PARKING NOTICE
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Parking near and around the festival footprint can be very challenging.  We have a limited number of vouchers for paid parking at Telegraph and Grand available.  All areas in the event footprint and side streets that have a No Parking Sign are kept clear for emergency access to the event. Parking is strictly enforced at each event and vehicles parked in non-parking areas may be cited and towed at the owner’s expense.

DOES OAKLAND FIRST FRIDAYS PROVIDE ANY EQUIPMENT?
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The vending fee only covers for the reserved booth space. You are responsible for bringing your own equipment (i.e. lights, tables, tents, chairs, batteries, etc). We have a limited number of chairs, tables and tents available for rent. Most months the sun goes down before the event ends, so bringing some lights is recommended.PLEASE CLEAN UP ALL OF YOUR GARBAGE. This includes compost, grease, potable water,  and any trash or remains that are a result of your participation.

ADVICE FROM THE OAKLAND FIRST FRIDAYS TEAM
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Please check out our event before you vend with us. Our events can get very crowded. We want you prepared and comfortable with the experience.We recommend talking to other Oakland First Friday vendors to network and learn tips on how to have a successful experience.Keep in mind traffic and parking when participating in our event. Your set-up and participation may be set back due to these circumstances.