Food Trucks to Return to Union City, Raise Funds for New Haven

The food truck famine is over!

Starting next Tuesday, the Food Truck Mafia, in conjunction with the New Haven Teachers Association, will hold the weekly Logan High Street Eats series in the parking lot to help raise funds for local schools.

The event will feature 10 trucks and will run every Tuesday from 4:30 to 9 p.m. through Dec. 18, so long as weather permits, organizers said.

Even better for food truck fanatics — a weekly series to be held Thursdays at Union Landing is also in the works.

The Food Truck Mafia, who also hosted , will donate a portion of the proceeds to the New Haven Teachers Association.

“We know that schools are hurting for money and we want to help all the schools that we can,” said April Bibbins, events coordinator for the Food Truck Mafia.

According to association president Charmaine Banther, the donated funds will initially go toward the . When the campaign ends in June, the money will be used for other students’ needs, such as support for extra- and co-curricular activities, Banther said.

“It’ll all go back to our schools,” Banther said.

The weekly events will also feature entertainment provided by students in New Haven band, music and sports programs.

“It will be an opportunity for the community to look at our schools and see how great they are, and have a bite to eat, too,” Banther said.

Banther said she’s hoping to cash in on the popularity of food trucks and raise at least $10,000 by June to help push the parcel tax.

If passed by local voters, the $180 parcel tax will generate $12 million during the four years the tax is in effect.

“We’re looking at any way that we can to raise funds for our schools,” Banther said. “I’m happy to support any idea the community has to get us out of this budget crisis.”

The New Haven Unified School District faces a nearly $11 million shortfall in state funding for the 2012-13 school year.

Earlier this week, the school board approved preliminary layoff notices for more than 100 teachers, administrators and classified staff. The proposed action calls for cutting all elementary and middle school electives, along with 25 full-time teaching positions at district elementary schools.

“It’s just heartbreaking,” Banther said. “It’s a sad time and we’re looking for solutions.”

According to Banther, students and parcel tax supporters are organizing a rally on Saturday, March 31. Students will march from James Logan High School to Union Landing to raise awareness about the school’s budget situation.

Parcel tax supporters are also planning 10 “Dining to Save” events at Union Landing restaurants where a portion of proceeds will be given to the campaign.

Meanwhile, the Food Truck Mafia is also working with to hold weekly food truck gatherings every Thursday at Union Landing. The proceeds from the Thursday series will likely go to either Hayward or New Haven adult schools, Bibbins said.

According to Bibbins, Tuesday, March 13's Logan High Street Eats will feature: Bigg Shrimp’n, Chairman Bao, Curry Up Now, Grill Stars, Grillaz Gone Wild, Mogo BBQ, Rice Rockit, Sanguchon, Soulnese and That’s Sweet Dessert Truck.