Blog #172: Food Trucks and Why They are Good for Disabled/Neurodiverse Individuals to Practice Their

Cheese and Thank You based in Chapin, South Carolina

As I continue my 2 week winter sabbatical here in Sanibel, FL, I wanted to share with you something that I think many disability/neurodiverse organizations should be taking advantage of to help their members build job skills and overall self-confidence.

I am talking about food trucks.

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Vesuvius Wood Fired Pizza based in Bonita Springs, Florida

Now food trucks are basically restaurants on wheels. There are no wait staff, no tables, just a kitchen in a truck that has people inside preparing food for hungry customers that are in line waiting to try whatever food the truck has to offer.

Yesterday, my dad and I were in for a food truck that came from a restaurant called Vesuvius and as I was waiting in line, I was saying to my dad that some of the disability/neurodiversity organizations that I know just happen to do pop up food and drink services at various events, including the Unicorn Children’s Foundation of which I am a junior board member.

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Conor’s Creamery based in Austin, Texas

One of the benefits of a food truck for disabled/neurodiverse individuals is that it is a great exposure to the individual to learn job skills that they will eventually use to obtain employment. Yes, the idea is to get individuals to embrace the idea of having a job, but it also builds self-confidence, skill and overall growth of mind/development.

But it’s not just to obtain a job that food trucks and pop-up service stands provide for disabled/neurodiverse individuals. Sometimes the individual may need the skills that they learn from these kinds of services for when they get their own place to live or to just help out around the house.

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sensABLE snacks run by the North Carolina division of Easter Seals

To this end, disability/neurodiversity organizations who desire to create a food truck/pop up service need to tailor the services to meet the needs of their members.

Perhaps the biggest tailor that needs to be taken seriously is the menu of items that organizations are going to be serving. It’s important to create a menu that serves both business and customer on a high level.

Remember that a small menu can mean more to both sides and can make a big difference.

You are not creating a menu that is meaning to be 10 to 20 pages. Keep the menu to just 4-6 items whether it can be of traditional items or something creative that either you, the organization, or the individual created.

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The other issue that needs to be taken into account is money or income. If you are opening a food truck, it’s important to remember that it is not about meaning to make a quick buck for yourself. If you have an ego, leave it at home.

You are meant to open something to help a disabled/neurodiverse individual build job and life skills that they will need later on. Keep your prices reasonable and you will not only sell your items better but make things easier for the individual’s level of functioning.

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But all in all, Food Trucks are a great alternative for people to avoid the hassle of a sit-down restaurant. There is no better way to reach out to public than with a food truck, especially if it comes from a disabled/neurodiverse individual or organization.

Keep the menu and price simple and easy for both customer and worker and believe me, you will make a big difference for both sides in the end.

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Catch you all later!!

#Diversity #Disability #Neurodiversity #Equality #Autism #Education #Employment #Inclusion