Street food is ready-to-eat food or drinks sold by a hawker, or vendor, in a street or at other public places, such as markets or fairs. It is often sold from a portable food booth, food cart, or food truck and is meant for immediate consumption. Some street foods are regional, but many have spread beyond their regions of origin. Most street foods are classified as both finger food and fast food, and are typically cheaper than restaurant meals. The types of street food widely vary between regions and cultures in different countries around the world. According to a 2007 study from the Food and Agriculture Organization, 2.5 billion people eat street food every day. A majority of middle-income consumers rely on the quick access and cheap service of street food for daily nutrition and job opportunities, especially in developing countries.
Today, governments and other organizations are increasingly concerned with both the socioeconomic importance of street food, and with its associated risks. These risks include food safety, sanitation issues, illegal use of public or private areas, social problems and traffic congestion.