Food Truck Cup makes a 2021 return this week

The Longmont Food Rescue is hosting the Third Annual Food Truck Cup this Saturday, in partnership with Longmont Restaurant Week and the J.M. Smucker Company.

Held in the east parking lot of 350 Terry Street across from the St. Vrain Cidery, the Food Truck Cup 2021 will feature four local food trucks and beverages from three of Longmont’s local drinkeries. A ticket for the tasting menu featuring all food and beverage competitors will cost $28.71 per person, including samples from the trucks, three beverages and an opportunity to vote for the 2021 winner. 

This year’s competition includes Hurry 4 Curry, The Main Event, Farm Eats Direct and a return of the 2019 Food Truck Cup Champion, Nacho Mama’s Tacos. St. Vrain Cidery, Abbott & Wallace Distillery and Outworld Brewery will provide alcoholic beverages during the event, including specially paired drinks for the Food Truck Cup. Local acts Blackjack Gravy and Shadow Side will showcase their musical talents in the afternoon.

“One of our goals with this event is to feature newer trucks with diverse menus, to help share their unique cuisines with the community,” said Kelly Mahoney, founder and board member of Longmont Food Rescue. “It also provides our food trucks with an opportunity to participate in Restaurant Week.”

The Food Truck Cup benefits the Longmont Food Rescue — a nonprofit that redistributes food to support homeless and low-income populations and create a more just and equitable food system. In a press release, Longmont Food Rescue Executive Director Naomi Curland said the participating food and drink providers will donate their menu items, so all ticket sales can benefit the nonprofit.

Aside from financial sponsorship, the J.M. Smucker Company also pledged a donation of up to 15,000 Uncrustables sandwiches to the Longmont Food Rescue and the nonprofit’s distribution partners. The total amount donated will be based on ticket sales for the Food Truck Cup and social media engagement leading up to and during the event, according to the press release.

“It’s a fun way to support our food access work while enjoying local food, drink and music,” Curland said in the release. “And Saturday’s forecast looks great for an outdoor festival.”

According to the release, the event will also be zero waste thanks to a sponsorship from the city of Longmont’s Sustainable Business Program and compostable wares from Eco-Products. Composting is part of reducing the environmental impact of food waste and a core tenant of Longmont Food Rescue, Curland said. 

“It’s important to us that we compost rather than send things to the landfill and we’re grateful that the Sustainable Business Program has supported us in our zero waste efforts,” Curland said.

The Food Truck Cup 2021 will run from 2-7 p.m., rain or shine. Tickets for the Tasting Menu can be purchased online, with staggered entry at either 2 or 3 p.m. to make the event more COVID safe. General Admission tickets are also available at $10 to gain entry for the festival without the tasting menu.