If Kent State University students, faculty and staff want a quick bite they can simply check Twitter or Facebook to find the university’s new bright yellow food truck.
Fork in the Road recently rolled out and has been parking at various locations around campus during lunch hours to serve burgers, tacos, salads and more.s
The truck draws a growing trend across the country. Private operators have parked food trucks in urban locations and on campuses. In recent years colleges have started their own operations.
From an institutional standpoint, food trucks’ relative affordability is a big part of their allure, the website said. A full dining center renovation might cost upwards of $1 million while fully outfitted food trucks costs between $100,000 and $200,000, it said.
The idea for a food truck came from watching food trends and discussing campus dining options over the years, Rich Roldan, director of Kent State’s Dining Services, said in a news release. Food options on the northwest corner of campus are limited.
“We’ve had a small truck, and it’s done OK for us, but the trend seems to be going toward food trucks,” Roldan said. “Adding more dining locations to that side of campus is expensive and not a feasible option to build something there, so we kept thinking of doing a portable option.”
Fork in the Road will have a core menu and chef specials. The menu will change with availability of seasonal ingredients and feature both classics and signature items.
“This is definitely culinary-driven,” Roldan said in the news release. “It’s going to be street food, but in a different fashion. It will be very good and healthy, not your standard menu.”
Students can use their dining cards and anyone can pay cash or use a credit or debit card, the university said.
Fork in the Road also will appear at athletic events, campus festivals and other special venues.
The food truck is equipped with state-of-the-art appliances and blue undercarriage lights for night time.
