Twelve food trucks invaded LaBelle’s Barron Park on Thursday, April 6. Food Truck Invasion, led by David, partnered with LaBelle Downtown Revitalization Corporation (LRDC) and Barron Park House Gallery to bring Food Truck Invasion to LaBelle. David said he wants to drive foot traffic to Barron Park House Gallery. He enjoys the art by our residents.

LaBelle residents Tom Sagamang, Nena Stewart, and Margret Englend ate their Mediterranean cuisine outside Port St. Lucie’s Think Greek food truck in Barron Park on Thursday, April 6. (Submitted photo/Anthony Narehood)[/caption]

“I want to build a relationship with the city and give people something to look forward to,” David said, “the food trucks bring people together and it is like a community reunion. I relate to life in a small town and want to save people from driving long distances to get to different restaurants.”

David hosted Food Truck Invasion since the summer of 2012 in South Miami. Approximately 300-400 people attended the first event. David hosted 50 events this month from Lake Wales to Key West. LaBelle is the newest territory added. Approximately, 1,500 people attended the event held in LaBelle on Thursday, April 6.

The prices of an entrée started at $9. All the food trucks served water and soda for $2 to prevent competition for beverages. While most of the trucks take credit and/or debit cards, David suggested bringing cash in the future.

“If the connection in the area is bad the credit and/or debit machines could possibly go down,” said David, he suggests having cash just in case your favorite truck is having credit/debit card issues.”

All the food truck owners and their employees must pass background checks amongst other types of checks, prior to becoming a part of Food Truck Invasion. If you are interested in becoming a part of Food Truck Invasion go to its website www.FoodTruckInvasion.com.

Kelly Boone from LaBelle Downtown Revitalization Corporation said they gave Food Truck Invasion to Barron Park House Gallery because they needed publicity.

“They need some LaBelle love to get things going,” Kelly said of Barron Park House Gallery, “they have volunteers and the manpower needed for Food Truck Invasion.”

“Food Truck Invasion has unique foods you don’t really get to taste,” said Kelly, “Food Truck Invasion didn’t cause any brick and mortar restaurants to lose any business.”

“It is the perfect celebration after winning a baseball game,” said Angie Benson, whose family learned of the event from Facebook.

Mike Shough, President of Arts of the Inland, who runs Barron Park House Gallery, said, “We’re all working hard to build this downtown, up.”

“I want to spread good will around,” said Betty Smith, owner of the Famous Wings Food Truck. She owned a restaurant that got destroyed in 2003 by Hurricanes Gene and Francis. She decided instead of building another restaurant, she would start a food truck.

“We would rather travel to people than wait for them to come to us,” said co-owner Ursula Stevens, “we enjoy seeing different cultures and people.”

For anyone looking to get into the food truck business, Ursula said, “make sure you specialize in one item and make it something you love.”

The LaBelle Food Truck Invasion will be the first Thursday of every month at Barron Park.