How creativity, community support helped Centre County food trucks thrive during the pandemic

It’s no secret that food trucks and concessions vendors were up against a difficult season last year. With much of 2020’s major, in-person events canceled in light of gathering restrictions and as a pandemic-related precaution, business owners were forced to find new avenues for success, selling their wares in new locations and seeking out new methods of marketing.

Now, more than a year later, many credit community support for allowing them to remain in business over what’s been an unprecedented year-plus of cancellations.

Shortly after the pandemic began, a new Facebook group, Centre County Covid Concessions (since renamed Centre County Concessions), sprang up to help concessions vendors promote their products as they sat up shop around Centre County during what would have normally been hectic fair and festival weekends. The group is still active, with nearly 9,000 members and near-daily updates from around the area and followers frequently chiming in, asking about their favorite food trucks and providing vendors with new spots to set up and sell.

“We had so many gracious people and businesses offering a place for us to sit and sell,” said Amanda Scott of Scott’s Roasting. “One of those was J.L. Farm and Cidery; we went (there) a handful of times. We are typically at fairs and festivals, so I believe we captured a newer customer base. We also found a show or two that continued last summer, that we normally would not have taken. We are keeping those shows on our schedule for this summer.”

She added: “We learned that our amazing, loyal customers that have followed us for years will still be there to support us, even if it requires an hour or two drive to find us.”

Still, even with the community support, food trucks and concessions vendors were nevertheless forced to pivot, changing business models as they faced challenges even beyond event cancellations. Flavia Barger of Brazilian Munchies noted that she and her team’s take-out restaurant inside Penn State’s Pegula Ice Arena closed over the course of the pandemic — though they have plans to reopen in August — and the food truck was forced to operate with a limited menu due to supply shortages. Some of the changes were good, though, she said.

“Because of the pandemic,” Barger said, “people learned to order ahead instead of waiting in line. Also, a lot of customers started to use online payments like Venmo and PayPal; that was good for us, because we don’t need to pay exorbitant fees.”

In the aftermath of the difficult year, she said business is busier than ever, and the food truck’s calendar is almost completely booked.

“Last summer, I didn’t have plans at all. This summer, we have a lot going on,” Barger said. “I get three to four calls or emails every day, inviting me to take the truck somewhere for events or private catering.”

The new year has also resulted in expanded sales opportunities thanks to the launch of new, first-ever events such as Way Fruit Farm’s Art in the Orchard and the Millheim WalkFest of Arts & Music. Changing local government ordinances also provide the hope of additional opportunity as, in June, State College’s Borough Council passed new food truck regulations allowing for food trucks to set up shop in more locations.

“You can find us back out at almost all of our normal shows this year,” Scott said. “If a show was canceled, we found another event to sit at. ... I think after a year of missing festivals and fairs, we all miss and appreciate the fun times at these shows.”

Barger is also hopeful, looking at the season and year ahead. “I have hope we’ll have a brilliant future in Centre County. People are really getting the concept of food trucks, enjoying it and understanding that food trucks are not ‘fast food,’ but ‘food fast.’ We appreciate everyone who follows us and supports small business.”