Friday, June 14, 2013

Help me fund the LocalFoodDude Food Truck!


Click here to HELP fund this great project: http://www.foodstart.com/project/localfooddude
Follow us on twitter @LFDTrk
Here's the deal. I'm looking for funding to purchase a food truck outfitted with a full kitchen to feed kids summer meals, where they live, learn and play. 
The federal summer meal program will cover fuel, food & labor costs for the summer food program locations. On the weekends and in the times when the truck is not operating during the summer food program, the truck would be used to cater parties and be used as a food truck at fairs and the like to raise awareness and money to continue and grow the vision.  During non-serving hours the truck will be used to teach low income families culinary training through Share Our Strength's Cooking Matters program.
This is a vision based on the successful "Free Meals Here" Food Truck model I created in New Haven, CT but with a full kitchen to serve all kinds of great healthy food. The truck will specialize in locally grown products when in season.
Feeding kids is my passion. Help me make this plan a reality with the long term goal of creating a sustainable program to end childhood hunger in America.
Location
The location to feed hungry kids lunch for free during the summer will be in Waterbury, CT. The food truck will then roam throughout Western CT and Eastern NY State for caterings and fairs.
Menu
Vegan Veggie Ravioli with Green Pea & Garlic Sauce
Chicken & Vegetable Burrito
Taco Duo: Pulled Pork and Asian Slaw & Mesquite Chicken with grilled bok choy
Baja Fish Fajita

Atmosphere
The truck will be lime green and orange and be very 'flashy' to attract attention and to be a roving billboard. The Tag Line is "Be a Vocal Local, Buy Locally Grown."
Marketing Strategy
We plan to focus on just four outreach strategies...
Word of Mouth: I have received a considerable amount of local and national media attention as well as appearing on Food Network's CHOPPED. In addition my network consists of hundreds of people who appreciate good, locally-grown food and who are eager to try the new food truck. 
Social Media: I already have over 1600 'Friends" on Facebook and over 2,500 Twitter followers. I will post regular updates with a location finder and offer compelling content, including trivia contests with prizes of free food.
Local Offices: We will provide area offices with vouchers good for one free lunch to introduce them to the food truck.
Foodstart: Of course, we know raising capital through Foodstart will create a network of loyal, repeat customers who feel they are a part of the local foods movement by supporting Local Food Dude, the Truck!.
Financial Plan
We anticipate start-up expenses of $120,000. Through Foodstart, we will raise $120,000 for general startup expenses (used kitchen equipment, furnishing, truck, etc.). Funding for the Free Summer Meals Program portion will be paid through the USDA Summer Meals Program.
In year one we expect to generate over $175,000 in sales, $265,000 in sales by the end of year two, and net profits of over 7.5% on sales by the end of year three. First profitability will be reached by our eleventh month in operation.
Management
Chef Timothy Cipriano is the Local Food Dude and Director of Food Services for Guilford Public Schools. Chef Tim was recruited to manage the food service operation in Guilford by Superintendent of Schools Dr. Paul Freeman because of Tim's many successes and progressive programs he implemented while serving as the Executive Director of Food Services for New Haven Public Schools from July 2008 to September 2012.
In November 2012 Chef Tim was a contestant on Food Network's CHOPPED. Chef did not win but made an impressive stint, getting chopped at the conclusion of the entree round.
In March 2010, Chef Tim was one of ten chefs handpicked by the White House to meet with Chef Sam Kass, Executive Director of First Lady Michele Obama’s Let’s Move Campaign, and the USDA at the White House to coordinate a program, Chefs Move to Schools.
Because of Chef Tim's dedication to feeding America's children real food and for his part in coordinating the Chefs Move to Schools Program, President Obama named Chef Tim a Champion of Change in April 2011.
As Chair of Share Our Strength's Taste of the Nation New Haven, Chef Tim volunteers countless hours ensuring that no kid goes hungry in America. Share Our Strength named Chef Tim Advocate of the Year for his efforts.
Websites
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Chef-Timothy-Cipriano/165688570129067 
Click here to HELP fund this great project: http://www.foodstart.com/project/localfooddude

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