BLUEFIELD, W. Va. (WVVA) -Many states have created food trucks associations, but West Virginia was not among them until now. Bluefield has become the point of origin for the West Virginia food truck association, a website serving the vendors who currently serve ten of the southern counties in the state.

“…There are food desert locations. For example, exit one. Right now, if somebody is out there working, like when Omnis is up and other companies there, they got to go five to seven miles just to buy a pop… So that’s one of the things we’re looking at is having pop-ups in different locations that can help businesses and other localities,” says Jim Spencer, the Executive Director of Bluefield, West Virginia, Economic Development Authority.

Spencer, who first envisioned this website, calls the counties in Region 1 and 4 the “controlled area” of a future expansion that could help food trucks state-wide, and help bring them to areas they haven’t been before. At no cost, food truck vendors can create a page to promote their business and can let potential customers know when and where they’re going to set up shop. Spencer calls this a win-win for food trucks and customers alike.

“So, rather than a food truck having to go to every county’s website that are partners… All ten of them and the cities… They can go to one website and find out the events where food trucks are needed and wanted…” says Spencer, “…If you’re hosting an event, you’re a locality, government entity, or just doing a wedding, and you want to find food trucks, you can find the food trucks there…”

Spencer hopes this will help showcase the variety of food options available in the Mountain State, while promoting small businesses getting stated in the state.

If you’d like to learn more about the association, you can go to their new website or the Bluefield Economic Development Authority to register.

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