Shirleen Van Gorkom's dream of owning a coffee van was fast-tracked after she lost her employment during the COVID-19 pandemic and she now owns 3 Dutchies.

However, because she is a new player in the game, Mrs Van Gorkom said she was restricted to where she could set up without holding a council permit.

The permits are hard to come by, with only 10 available. All of the permits were taken up in the first year of the mobile food vendors program and all holders want to renew.

It is because of this high demand that Mrs Van Gorkom hopes the council will consider expanding the program to give more businesses an opportunity.

"There is a bigger need for it now more than ever and suburbs are growing more and more," she said.

Maddish coffee owner Shannon Curtis, who is a permit holder, said there was definitely the option to expand the number of vans operating in Wagga, but within reason.

She said there was no use oversaturating the roadsides, but presently there is a demand particularly in suburbs like Bourkelands and Estella, which were without nearby food and coffee shops.

"I get out and move around where I can ... it's good because the community will get behind you, especially at this time when it's so hard," she said.

Wagga councillor Vanessa Keenan said a temporary expansion of the program was important to consider, to not only allow other operators a chance to participate but to provide a new tool for businesses struggling in this pandemic.

A detailed report regarding this program will be presented at the council meeting in two weeks.