There’s no doubt that, during the fall of 2012, the word “vote” will spark some serious conversation. “Have you been fact-checking? What does Big Bird have to do with us? How will we solve this unfathomably large budget deficit?” If you’re really intent on having these heated chats, at least you can do so with your mouth full.

From noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, seven food trucks will gather at the Boulevard Mall, 730 Alberta Dr., Amherst, for a Buffalo’s Best Food Truck Contest to determine which of the mobile food vendors will reign supreme. Eaters can vote for their favorite truck out of Lloyd Taco Truck, the Whole Hog, the Knight Slider, the Cheesy Chick, Sweet Hearth, R&R BBQ and the House of Munch. If you toss in an entry, you’ll also be entered to win a shopping spree at the mall.

This event was perilously close to being canceled if it wasn’t for the generosity of Sweet Certificates, a Boulevard Mall vendor, who paid $700 to satisfy the recently enforced1993 Amherst town law that requires each food truck to pay $100 to vend from a single location quarterly. The Buffalo News’ Sandra Tan, who’s been following Amherst’s issues with the food trucks very closely, delivers more information here.

Judging the trucks will largely come down to personal preference, as there’s not much overlap in mobile fare. From authentic Mexican tacos to pulled pork to fresh desserts, creative sliders and imaginative grilled cheese, Saturday’s food truck contest represents a bountiful harvest of variety with an emphasis on local ingredients.

The Buffalo City Mission will be on the scene as well, accepting canned goods and gently used clothing items to support those in need.