FoodieLand Faces Vendor Backlash After 3 Die at Bite of Seattle Shooting

3 articles · Updated · The Seattle Times · Aug 1

Three deaths and four injuries at Sunday’s Bite of Seattle shooting have triggered sharp scrutiny of owner FoodieLand, with vendors split between saying they felt supported and accusing the company of poor security and crisis communication.
Vendors told The Seattle Times they received no emergency alerts or evacuation instructions as panic spread, citing a gap between a 3:30 p.m. Sunday text and a 2 a.m. Monday follow-up after the roughly 6 p.m. shooting.
Many also said they were still waiting this week for sales payouts and had to return to the shooting scene to hand back point-of-sale equipment and dismantle booths, which some described as retraumatizing.
FoodieLand said it is taking feedback seriously, working quickly to provide support and resources, and on Monday night shared counseling hotline details through behavioral-health provider Empathia.
The backlash also revives broader complaints about FoodieLand’s handling of the festival since taking over in 2024, though some vendors defended the company and said they plan to return next year.