Food Truck Frenzy is coming back to the Airdrie Farmers’ Market (AFM) June 27, bringing almost 20 food trucks to meet the varying hunger needs of thousands.
“When they’re all in a big group, there’s something for everyone,” said Candice Kolson, AFM manager. “If your kids want poutine and you want tacos, you’re able to bounce around from truck to truck and try something different.”
Running from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., the market keeps a steady pace of attendees throughout the day, but according to Daniel Polini, owner of Don Panino’s food truck, there’s a clear lunch and dinner rush for the food trucks.
Polini and his truck are frequent staples of the regular AFM, and Don Panino’s will also be at both Food Truck Frenzy days this year – the second is Aug. 1. Events like this are “the reason you have a food truck,” Polini said.
But while the frenzy days can get crazy, he added, he doesn’t mind a lull every once in a while.
“If it’s a little bit slow, you get out and everybody trades food, and no one charges each other,” he said. “I’ve probably tried 80 per cent of the food trucks in Calgary, at least.”
Food truck popularity has seen a spike in recent years, and Polini said he believes there’s been a shift in how people see food trucks.
“I think there was always this stigma around food trucks that they were just some school bus selling greasy hamburgers out the back,” he said. “But food trucks have come a long way.”
Quite often, Kolson said, she sees a group of office workers come in to eat lunch, and some come back with their families in the evening to try another truck for dinner. Part of the event’s success, she said, comes from that accessibility.
“I think it’s great because it’s a quick meal,” Kolson said. “We’re in a culture right now where we desire things to come very fast, and to have good quality. The menus in the trucks are usually pretty limited, so they can do one or two things really, really well.”
Coming to AFM for the first time June 27 are Dumpling Hero, Roadtisserie and Cheesey Cheesteaks food trucks. Kolson advises attendees to leave pets at home, and to bring a picnic blanket to ensure a seat.
