By Hattie Robb, Local Llano Intern (Nazareth, TX)
Juicy Lucy’s mobile produce truck gives locally grown food a whole new meaning with its portable farmers market that offers fresh produce year-round.
I had the chance to meet with the owner and founder of Juicy Lucy, Lucinda Mann, to discuss how she turned her small garden into a successful food truck.
About twelve years ago, Lucinda took the 15 acres of land she used to raise horses on and transformed it into a successful garden, where she, along with her friend, first started selling their very own gourmet garlic at the Lubbock Downtown Farmer’s Market.
Fast forward a few years, Juicy Lucy moved on wheels when they bought a 25-foot-long bread truck and transformed it into a bright, yellow mobile farmer’s pantry. As the organization grew, so did its menu. In addition to their original gourmet garlic, Juicy Lucy started selling farm-raised beef, pork and honey. They also started to indulge in a variety of cheeses, milks, baked goods, homemade jams and pickles. The truck is furnished with coolers and freezers to keep the meat and dairy products fresh for purchase.
“Our main thing is to get fresh food to people,” Lucinda said. “We want to give them something that is local, that we know how is grown and that is good for you. It just tastes better than what you get at the grocery store.”
In the coming years, Juicy Lucy will be opening a brick-and-mortar store and kitchen that will offer produce such as fresh grown veggies, farm-raised chickens and eggs, and baked goods. Juicy Lucy also recently started its own greenhouses in Crosbyton, Texas where people can purchase fresh tomatoes year-round. Lucinda said the greenhouses will hold around 2,000 tomatoes.
“We’re an all-family organization who works hard to bring good food to the people of the Lubbock area,” Lucinda said.
Head over to Drug Emporium off of East Erskine Street and check out the big yellow truck this Saturday for some fresh food!
