Over the past few years, food truck numbers in the Boston area have steadily risen from approximately 14 in 2011, their inaugural season, to 56 in 2013 to more than 80 this year!
The City of Boston has this to say about its food trucks, “Since the first trucks hit the streets in July 2011, food trucks have become beloved additions to the city’s dining scene, helping activate neighborhoods and create a new and vibrant industry across the city.”
The phrase “activating neighborhoods” stood out to me while I was chatting with Cassandria Campbell and Jackson Renshaw of Fresh Food Generation, social entrepreneurs committed to providing affordable, culturally appropriate food to those in low income communities.
Photo via Fresh Food Generation
Fresh Food Generation is the epitome of a modern business: a farm to plate food truck with a double bottom line that focuses on food justice. Featuring dishes from Cuba, Argentina, Jamaica, Haiti and the southern US, they source local foods from the Food Project, Allendale Farm, and Dorchester-based City Growers, making everything, including their sauces and garnishes, in house. Their commitment to serving affordable, healthy, “fast” food and providing jobs for local residents is helping to reinvigorate and energize Boston’s neediest neighborhoods.
Follow along on a brief Q&A.
What was your favorite food as a kid?
Cassandria: I really liked rice and beans. It was simple and always available. There was a warm feeling to it.
Jackson: Apple pie for breakfast at my grandmother’s house.
In your opinion, why are food trucks so trendy right now?
They are trendy because you are able to get a wide range of food options very quickly. People are moving away from fast food chains since they are very cookie cutter food options. They are moving toward options that are fast but more unique and appeal to a foodie crowd.
Why did you open a food truck?
We started the food truck with the intention to provide healthy affordable foods to low income neighborhoods. Because the truck is mobile it allows us to travel to a lot of places.
Describe your food truck cuisine in one sentence.
Farm to plate Caribbean food with a touch of soul
What is your most popular item?
Jerk chicken
What were you doing when your food truck idea struck you?
Cassandria: Career wise I was an urban planner working in the field of affordable housing. I saw people who couldn’t afford food from their local restaurants. Starting the food truck was about food access in low income neighborhoods.
What is the best thing someone has said to you about your food truck?
In the neighborhoods where we serve, they are excited to see an option that is healthy, culturally relevant and familiar to them.
What is your biggest challenge?
We have a complicated business model with a double bottom line. Our catering company supports our food truck so the finances can get complex. Sometimes it feels like we have two companies.
What is your favorite food truck?
Besides our food truck, we love Mei Mei’s Food Truck. They were inspirational and very helpful when we began our food truck. They are farm to plate too. They care about product quality. They have a great work culture and ethic. And the food is absolutely delicious!
Where can I find the Fresh Food Generation food truck?
Follow us on Facebook and Twitter at FFGeneration for location updates. Of course, we will also be at the Boston Local Food Festival on September 20!
Food truck cluster events like Boston StrEATS, Greenway Mobile Eats, and the Boston Local Food Festival bring several food trucks to a central location to create a festival like atmosphere and make it easy to sample from multiple vendors.
How can you find new or track your favorite trucks? Websites and apps like the City of Boston’s Food Truck schedule, Roaming Hunger, and TruckMe can help with that.
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