“As Boston moves into the third phase of Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker’s reopening plan, food trucks are now coming to Boston neighborhoods.  

“The pilot program began on July 17 and allows food trucks to operate at 23 different locations across the city. The program is headed by the city’s Office of Economic Development, in partnership with the Inspectional Services Department.  

“‘This summer we are piloting temporary food truck sites across our neighborhoods, including in city parks, playgrounds, and public spaces,’ Mayor Marty Walsh said during a press briefing last week. 

“Mayor Walsh has touted the program as a way for small businesses to continue to operate during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as bring some new amenities to Boston neighborhoods after months of lock-down. The trucks will be open seven days a week from 12 to 7 p.m. Mayor Walsh emphasized that while the city appears to have the COVID-19 virus under control, the next few weeks will be critical to Boston’s success in fighting the virus.  

“‘We need to do everything that we can to avoid going down that same path that many of these states and other cities are going down,’ Mayor Walsh said, noting that officials continue to monitor the public health data closely.