Business & Tech

Food Truck Rally Serves Up Sunday Supper

The fundraiser event kicks off at 5 p.m. on Oct. 14.

The Gathering Place Wood Fired Oven in Lutz might have the answer you’re looking for. Just leave the pots and pans behind and head over to the 16319 N. Florida Ave. eatery from 5 to 8 p.m. Oct. 14 for a food truck rally with a purpose.

The first-ever event of its kind at The Gathering Place is designed to do several things.

“Our whole concept is to support as much of our local economy as we can,” explained Christopher Fuller, managing partner in the restaurant. The Gathering Place does this daily by buying locally grown organic produce and shopping local as much as possible.

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The rally is also meant to help local food truck operators while raising money for a homegrown charity.

Fuller said the idea for the rally came from his association with Odessa’s Green After Dark founder John Ciani. That event has become such a hit, Fuller thought it was time to try something similar in Lutz.

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“We work really closely with him and get a lot of our produce from him,” Fuller explained. It was thanks to that connection, Fuller was able to line up the trucks.

The event won’t just tempt the taste buds either. It will serves as a fundraiser for local charities, Fuller said. Proceeds from booth rentals, for example, will likely go to the Suzanne Ciani Brain Cancer Foundation. That organization provides assistance to Tampa Bay area residents who are battling brain cancer.

Between three and five food trucks will be on site during the rally. The restaurant will also offer food specials throughout the evening. Live music, games, craft booths, chance drawings and more are planned.

“It’s going to be a great time,” Fuller said.

Patch editors will even be on hand, offering free goodies to those who sign up for newsletters.

“(We’re) creating a community place for people to come out and gather,” Fuller said.

The hope is that the event will be successful enough to become a monthly tradition.


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