Jacksonville held a food truck festival at the Landing on Saturday, October 3rd 2015  The event was hosted by Jax Truckies, an ongoing collaboration with local food truck owners, vendors, patrons, bloggers and other entrepreneurs.

Every year the turnout is larger. Over 15 trucks served over 300 people. Fusion, Le Petit Cheri Cupcake, and The Loving Cup were some of the trucks that were included. While I was at the Festival many people said “this has been the best year yet.”

Jax Truckies began in 2012 when Mike Field and Caron Streibich, founders of Jax Truckies, decided to make something of their hobby. According to Jax Truckies, under their leadership it reached over 17K followers on Facebook in less than two years, supporting both Jacksonville & St Augustine’s extensive Food Truck market. The food truck population has increased by 19% in the past three months alone.

Many restaurants are turning to the truck trend versus having a storefront due to the ability to pick up and go anywhere.

During Homecoming week, Bolles had the opportunity to experience one of the food trucks that was at the festival.

The Happy Grilled Cheese came to Bolles during lunch. Julian Crosby (‘19) ordered a grilled cheese and said “the grilled cheese food truck was a very exciting experience, and it was thrilling to be part of such wonderful festivities here at Bolles”.  At least fifty students enjoyed the gourmet sandwiches and gave it a thumbs up.

Kerry Smith, a local, was chowing down on the cupcakes from Le Petite Cheri and said “I only got two thinking I wouldn’t like them… I was wrong” Smith told me while inhaling her last cupcake. “I went back to get some more to take home with me and they were all sold out!”

I tried The Loving Cup, a food truck dedicated to coffee lovers. They had an extensive menu from Nutella Lattes to Spicy Mochas. I tried their Salted Caramel Mousse Frappuccino and let me just say I shouldn’t have gotten a small. The mousse was super fluffy and all the flavors married well.

While passing Mother Truckin Pizza, Kevin McKinney, my dad,ordered a deluxe slice and he absolutely loved it. He waited in line for 45 minutes but said it was “completely worth it”.

The future for Jax Truckies is bright. Mellissa Kin, foodie, wrapped up the day perfectly by saying “Me and my family are already counting down the days until next year’s Food Truck Festival!”