One of the hottest trends on the culinary scene in cities all across the globe is the increasing proliferation of the proverbial food truck. You see them in all shapes, sizes, and configurations from the linear run along the banks of the River Thames in London to filled courtyards in cities like Grand Rapids, Minneapolis and beyond. Now, a loose knit confederation of vendors is piecing together a true grassroots enterprise in the Benton Harbor Arts District dubbed Food Truck Fridays.
That collaboration begins tonight, Friday, August 2nd from 5:30pm until 8:30pm at 225 E. Main Street, the anchor position for Emma Hearth & Market and their amazing mobile wood-fired pizza truck.
Emma Hearth co-owner Wendy Uhlman tells me, “We’re starting the Food Truck Fridays in Benton Harbor in a bit of a grassroots way, particularly since we don’t have a seating area built out yet!”
She and her husband, Steve Zieverink, recently established Emma Hearth & Market in the Arts District and have enjoyed a spectacular welcome since first taking a bow at the Summer Equinox Art Hop. They’ve established a great rapport with other food truck vendors in the region and have rallied them to take part in Food Truck Fridays every Friday evening from now through November 1st if all goes according to plan.
With plans still formulating daily, Wendy says without having established a seating area as yet, “Hence the encouragement of bringing folding chairs and blankets to sit on;).” She adds, “We’re actually close to getting a movie in the park across the street going to working with the local community and public library. Anyway for now we have great local food trucks coming!”
She invites everyone to join in the fun of Food Truck Fridays every week in the Benton Harbor Arts District, beginning tonight.
Wenday says, “We’re starting out with a few local food trucks that offer amazing food, and we’ll be expanding as we make it more of an event in the park across the street with live music, art, yoga and/or movies.
Here’s what you’ll find in the inaugural run tonight at 225 E. Main Street at the roundabout:
- Wood fired pizza and salads from the farm at Emma Hearth & Market…
- Street food from Chef Audey’s ‘Werk It’ food truck…
- Scratch recipes using local ingredients, regional flavors and unique food experience from Lake & Farmer, including Molino Tortillas as found weekly at the Farmers Market…
- Nosh Village – defined by world tastes and unique umami flavors fused with food truck favorites…
While the plan is to continue each Friday evening through November 1st, Wendy cautions, “Some food trucks may not be able to join each week due to other event bookings.” Plus, you never know when even more food truck vendors find their way into the mix going forward.
