Food trucks are a fast growing segment of the multi- billion dollar food industry. Fueled in part by the popular television series, mobile food sales have skyrocketed in recent years. Today’s offerings include everything from soup to nuts for the busy consumer.
While old standbys like hot dog and ice cream carts are still quite popular, specialty foods are the real area for growth. Ethnic specialties from Chinese to Mexican can now be prepared in food trucks. This gives consumers a chance to sample foods from many different cultures without sitting down in a restaurant.
Other segments showing promise are natural and organic foods. Many of these are sold at roadside stands and often come straight from the farm. If you have a food truck correctly outfitted, you can prepare specialties on site for easy access. Some products that sell well at roadside stands are vegetables like carrots, kale, lettuce and onions. Fruits and fruit juices especially freshly squeezed are popular sellers. Old standards like apple cider are popular but so are vegetable juices and blends like beets and carrots.
Baked goods and pastries are popular sellers in kiosks, food truck and roadside stands. Natural grains without preservatives are good sellers for health conscious consumers. Breads made from stone ground wheat and rye sell well. Rolls and cookies from natural grains can add to your product selection.
In big cities, bagels are a standard fare that is always in demand. This is an easy choice because they keep well and do not need to be served hot. Offering different blends of spreads gives your product extra appeal. A popular choice is vegetable cream cheese or flavored butter like honey butter.
French pastries have grown popular in recent years and a mobile food service will allow sellers to reach more customers. The popular macarons come in many flavors like kiwi, marigold, persimmon and lime. These pastries can bring a premium price as they are perceived as a high end dessert.
Some food trucks will require specialized equipment. For example, French fries need a deep fryer. Some middle eastern dishes like lamb kebabs require a griddle to cook the meat. A griddle is also necessary for hamburgers. Frozen foods like ice cream and yogurt require special freezers to maintain the product. When choosing what to sell, take into consideration the cost of specialized equipment to maintain the quality of the food.
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