The Story Behind Berry Good Farms On The Go

In 2014, North Florida School of Special Education’s Berry Good Farms submitted our “farm-to-truck” idea to One Spark, a unique crowdfunding festival held in Jacksonville, Florida. What began as a mere concept to provide a vocational training program for our students while marketing our Berry Good Farms produce and other offerings to the local community gained tremendous traction at One Spark.

At the close of 2014 One Spark, Berry Good Farms On The Go clinched second place in the innovation category and third place overall, netting an award worth over $2,300. Initially, the prize money was going to be used towards securing a truck to fit out. Instead, through a connection made at the festival, BGF On The Go was gifted a food truck by a generous donor who believed in our goal to employ students with IDDs while serving up fresh and local organic fare to the community.

In 2015, Berry Good Farms On The Go returned to the festival in a different capacity; as one of 32 featured food vendors in One Spark’s Food Village. Our students assisted in dishing up wraps, soups, salads and smoothies featuring produce from the garden.

Berry Good Farms On The Go is the only food truck in the community offering meaningful vocational training and employment to young adults with unique abilities. One Spark was the catalyst for turning our Berry Good Farms On The Go dream into reality, but there are plenty of partners around the community who have rallied around our farm-to-truck venture.

Thanks to The Darr Family, The Dubow Family Foundation, General Truck Equipment and Trailer Sales, Inc., Kim Kawasaki, Nona J. Rawls and H. Taylor Jones Foundation, Southeastern Stainless Fabricators, Inc., Atlantic Beach Urban Farms, and Robbins Nest Fund for your generous support and belief in our vision.