CHARLESTON, WV – In response to the United States Department of Transportation suspending its prohibition on food trucks at federally funded rest areas, the West Virginia Division of Highways has set guidelines allowing for food trucks at rest areas as a temporary measure to ease the burden on truck drivers during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

“Truck drivers who keep our stores supplied with the things we need are having difficulty finding food to eat along the way,” stated Jacob Bumgarner, P.E., Director of the WVDOH Operations Division. “Allowing food trucks at our rest areas keeps them from having to leave the interstate to look for something to eat. In our small towns, with the size of the trucks, that can be very difficult. The Randolph Sheppard Program, which provides opportunities for people who are blind or deaf, will continue to offer snacks in the vending machines at the rest areas and that valuable service is available as well. Food vendors will be limited to two per rest area –in addition to the Randolph Sheppard Program – and those meeting the requirements on the application will be selected on a first-come, first-served basis.”

Applications, which are available on the WVDOT’s website, should be submitted to Charles.L.Anderson@wv.gov and the District Engineer for each rest area location. For more information, contact Charles Anderson at 304-932-9346.

For more information about COVID-19 prevention and more, call the State’s toll-free hotline at 1-800-887-4304 or visit Coronavirus.wv.gov.