Getting a Move On
For the Love of Food Meal Prep Service Rolls Forward With Food Truck
Writer / Matt Keating
Photographer / Jason Graves
Jama Fernung and Abby Ripberger, co-owners of For the Love of Food in Tipton, are glad they expanded their successful food preparation business to include a food truck.
Ripberger says the truck provides a useful means of getting their nutritious food to families looking for a good meal.
We have had a wonderful response from the community, Ripberger says. The truck has been a great way to connect with folks in the community who we might not otherwise see. We look forward to seeing everyone each time we are out. We have been able to match faces with names and orders. It has been exciting to get to know our customers.
The owners started operating the food truck last fall. If you’re also planning to start a food truck business, you may contact Mile High Custom Food Trucks to custom build your own food truck.
We weren’t really sure where or how we were going to make a food truck happen, but once we had the trailer, it all sort of fell into place, Ripberger says. We had a friend and his wife help get the truck painted, and it took off from there.
For the Love of Food began when Fernung and Ripberger became committed to living a healthier lifestyle, for both themselves and their families.
Having a mutual love for both food and food preparation led them to prepare meals for themselves and their families. Ripberger posted some Facebook photos of their meals, and she and Fernung were overwhelmed with requests to sell their food. They started For the Love of Food in January of 2020.
Ripberger says she and Fernung have enjoyed taking the food truck out to meet new customers.
This past fall and winter we parked primarily at Hortons in Tipton, Ripberger says. This year we are excited to be at local festivals in Tipton and Hamilton County, as well as Hortons.
A variety of dinner options are available on the food truck.
The beauty of the truck is we have a flexible menu, so we can change with the seasons, Ripberger says. Our primary goal is to take fresh, high-quality ingredients and turn them into delicious meals everyone will love.
One staple is the Cuban, a traditional Cuban sandwich made with carnitas, ham, Swiss cheese, mustard and pickles.
The Cuban is made to order, and finished on our flat top, Ripberger says. Its one of our best sellers. We also have a Smash Burger. This is the best burger in town – local beef, cheddar cheese, onions, lettuce and tomato. We also want people to know that our veggies come fresh from Teter Organic Farm in Noblesville.
Ripberger notes that customers will also enjoy their breakfasts.
We also have breakfast items like our famous biscuits and gravy, and hash brown casserole, just like grandma made, she says. These are traditional breakfast items that are simple, but so good. Theyre great for anyone, but we find that the kids love coming for breakfast.
Ripberger says the food truck is a great extension of the restaurant.
It allows us to be face-to-face with the people enjoying their meals, which we love, Ripberger says. Bringing our love of food to Tipton has been a longtime dream, and the food truck is one more way for us to share our dreams with a community we love.
The owners kids enjoy the truck as well.
Both our boys think its pretty cool that their moms have a food truck, Ripberger says. They would probably like it more if we didnt make them help set up and break down occasionally. The food truck really is a huge part of our dream. We love the idea of expanding the options here in Tipton. The community here is really trying to bring life to the downtown area, and we believe we can be a part of that in a positive way.
To get your next fresh meal, call For the Love of Food at 317-385-2095, or visit fortheloveoffoodmealprep.com.
