State seeking high-quality food vendor, food trucks for Island Beach State Park

The state Department of Environmental Protection wants to spice up food offerings at Island Beach State Park for years to come. 

Officials are seeking a vendor to provide “high-quality” food services and food-based events — something other than “typical hamburgers and hot dogs,” according to a release — and food truck operators. 

“Island Beach State Park is one of the crown jewels of our state park system and one of the most visited destinations at the Jersey Shore,” said Richard Boornazian, Assistant Commissioner for Natural and Historic Resources, in a release. “This is a unique opportunity for a private operator to provide high-quality food and hold events at a park that regularly draws more than 10,000 visitors a day during the summer season.”

The vendor must be a “proven organization” that can provide daily food services at the Ocean Bathing Area 1 main pavilion from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend and at the Ocean Bathing Area 2 from the third weekend in June through Labor Day weekend.

In addition, the state is seeking a vendor to provide food services at Ocean Bathing Area 1 during weekends of the extended season, which runs from April 1 to the Friday of Memorial Day weekend and the Tuesday after Labor Day through November 1. 

The state also envisions food trucks at various locations throughout the park to service overflow patrons at the two main bathing areas or at popular fishing access points.

The initial term for food services at the state park is 10 years. The successful bidder will have the option to renew for a second 10-year term.

A mandatory pre-bid meeting and site visit will be held at 11 a.m. on Feb. 17 at the park’s main office. The deadline for submitting proposals is March 19 at 5 p.m.

Click here to access the proposal forms.