Food Truck Roundup

Maslow's hierarchy of needs states that in order to feel fulfilled as a human being, one must first satisfy physiological needs, then find safety, then actualize oneself within a social setting, and then top off their satisfaction with esteem and self-actualization. We chose to focus on the creator of the food truck roundup because we believe in the importance of communion in achieving the third level of Maslow's pyramid. The sharing of meals is such a vital aspect of humanity and community because it supports the idea that human beings should care for one another and ensure that each person survives not just physically, but mentally and emotionally and spiritually. Events such as the food truck roundup serve as a shared experience that helps individuals orient themselves in their social environment.

For example, Claire experienced something unexpected as she worked to film different aspects of the roundup. She was given free food and told to relax and enjoy the people around her. She was sent to a seat by one of the fires and instead of eating alone and returning to work, found herself included with the group. People became truly invested with how she was doing and wanted her to know how they were doing. She held pets and took group photos and truly felt a part of this group of perfect strangers that felt like family.

In Arlene Goldbard's essay, she says, "Every year more and more artists work in community cultural development, in participatory projects in which artists collaborate with others to express concerns and aspirations, recovering histories, beautifying communities, teaching, expressing cultural creativity as a universal birthright and a bottomless source of resilience." The food truck roundup is one of these participatory projects that seeks to inspire and uplift the community. The strong sense of community present in this event is due to the man who created it. Anders Taylor grew up with food truck roundups in California, and, upon moving to Utah, missed the sense of community they brought when found there was no such thing. He has worked hard to foster this community spirit and avoid a competitive atmosphere.

What we found special about the food truck roundup was the inclusive nature of its setup. The trucks were arranged in a circle pointing inwards, the fires had chairs encircled around them, and the stage was at the forefront to invite all to enjoy the entertainment. Because of these circles, the participants were welcomed to enjoy the company of others and relish in the warmth of community. The communion we can share at the food truck roundup gives us a sense of social belonging here in Provo.