Wolfville has passed a bylaw that largely restricts food trucks from operating on the Nova Scotia town's streets.

The town says the trucks would take up valuable parking spaces, but proponents say officials are missing a chance to build the community.

The bylaw maintains a status-quo approach to food truck vending in that it doesn't allow them to operate on town streets.

However, food trucks are permitted to operate on town streets during three special events: Devour! The Food Film Fest, the Deep Roots Music Festival and Mud Creek Days.

Lisa Boehme operates a food truck that parks at the Stirling Fruit Farms market just outside of Wolfville's town boundaries. She lobbied town council to allow food trucks to operate on town streets, even though she says she has no interest in setting up shop there.

"It's not about me or the truck. It's about what it brings to the community," she said.

Boehme believes the more a town has to offer, the more attractive a destination it becomes.

Boehme's food truck sells coffee and donuts in the morning under the name Binky's Donuts. It then switches gears and serves up Mexican tacos and goes by the name of the Edible Sideshow.

In Wolfville, food trucks can park on private parking lots if they have an agreement with the owner of the property.

Boehme previously operated in town, parking in a lot where the Acadia Film Co-op is located.

'It's a bit of a joke'

She's had her eyes on a lot on Main Street where a Shoppers Drug Mart is located, but hasn't had any luck reaching a deal.

"Because it's such a monopoly in town of property owners, nobody will rent you a space on Main Street to park a truck, so it's a bit of a joke," said Boehme.

Wolfville Mayor Jeff Cantwell, says he's a fan of food trucks and called them "a great attraction for any community," noting he and his wife frequent them when they travel.

Lisa Boehme's food truck business begins the day as Binky's Donuts, which serves up coffee and hand-crafted donuts. (Edible Sideshow/Facebook)

However, he says council had to respect the need to preserve parking.

"We have some mess of cars and patios down here now. It's a busy and vibrant downtown. We don't want to upset that," said Cantwell.

Respecting the wishes of business owners was another motive, he says.

'There isn't enough of the pie to go around'

"As well, there's a concern for the, let's say the bricks-and-mortar business operators who pay significant municipal tax to operate business in town," said Cantwell.

These concerns are no stranger to Boehme.

"It's been a trying battle due to mortar-and-brick businesses, restaurants primarily … to have a truck because several business owners are very clear that they believe that the truck takes away from their business and that there isn't enough of the pie to go around," she said.

Boehme says she understands that some local business operators might feel threatened, but says food trucks offer up a different experience.

"We don't do beer. We're not a sit-down thing. We're a totally different kind of food operation. It offers something very different than what they do," she said.