The University of Nebraska-Lincoln has established a system that is allowing area food trucks onto campus.
Launched Sept. 19, the project allows food truck vendors to reserve one of five designated campus spaces and be open for business between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. weekdays. Vendors are required to register and reserve space online. Nebraska Unions staff created the food truck information website and manage the approval process.
“Our whole goal of this is to provide a service and offer access to different food options to the campus community,” said Brian Bollich, assistant director for business affairs with the Nebraska Unions. “Thus far, our informal discussions about bringing food trucks to campus have been positive.”
Kona Ice of North Lincoln, which offers shaved ice, is the first food truck to take part in the program.
“Being able to come onto campus is a great opportunity,” said Doug Ivey, co-owner of the Kona Ice truck. “We love being able to serve the students. It’s going to help us get our name out there and, hopefully, it will open up other opportunities for food trucks in Lincoln.”
Kona Ice plans to return to City Campus on Sept. 21 on the south side of the Coliseum in the Memorial Stadium loop — the same spot it reserved on Sept. 19-20.
Ivey reported that business has been steady and the food truck concept has been well received by students.
“A friend let me know that this food truck was here and we thought it was just too much fun to pass up,” said Jerica Burgess, a junior English and communications studies major. “Allowing these trucks on campus creates opportunities to get together with friends and enjoy food that’s probably not available anywhere else on campus. This is such a great idea.”
Bollich said other food trucks have expressed an interest in coming to campus.
Designated campus spaces for the food trucks include: the sidewalk south of the Coliseum; near Avery Hall; the east side of the Outdoor Adventures Center; the west side of the Campus Recreation Center; and at the Business Services Complex near 17th and Y streets.
“We picked spaces based on high amounts of student, faculty and staff traffic while making sure the spaces are far enough away not to impact our existing campus food vendors,” Ivey said.
For more information on the campus food truck program, including a map that shows when and where vendors will be available, click here.
