When Kalamazoo passed an ordinance in August 2012 allowing food truck vendors to operate in the city the Benton Harbor-based Bridgett Blough, also known as The Organic Gypsy, didn't expect it would mean the bulk of her business would be shifting to the city to the north. But that's what happened.
Blough is relocating her business, operating a food truck, catering, and creating artisan organic products, to a commissary kitchen in Kalamazoo to take advantage of growing opportunities for food truck vending in The Zoo.
Centralizing in Kalamazoo also will greatly reduce transportation costs and will allow Blough to operate much more efficiently. The Organic Gypsy will be partnering with another local food artisan, The Tamale Guy in the kitchen on South Burdick Street.
She says she sees the move as an opportunity to shape Kalamazoo’s new and growing food truck culture and plans to become a positive part of the city’s overall food scene.
Having tried her fare at the food truck, local businesses have asked Blough to serve her food at their place of business and to share her message of wellness to their employees. The food truck will continue to serve at local fairs and festivals but will now be able to have a much stronger presence on the street.
A new service will be coming soon--retail products that can be ordered through e-mail and picked up at the kitchen. The retail products will focus on combining organic seasonal foods with Blough’s certified organic chef cooking techniques, and making them available for people to eat at home.
"I envision providing food year round through the truck, catering and retail products--bringing people together through the wonderful harvest of our local bounty; creating links between people, health, food and the face of food--our local farmers," says Blough.
Writer: Kathy Jennings, Second Wave Media
Source: Bridget Blough, The Organic Gypsy
Where to find The Organic Gypsy in coming weeks
Mike Yore Memorial Car & Music Show, Saint Joseph -- July 18
Lunchtime LIVE at Bronson Park, Kalamazoo -- 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. July 19
Kalamazoo Bank Street Farmer’s Market -- 7 a.m.-1 p.m. July 20
Bronson Hospital, John and Walnut St., Kalamazoo -- 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Peoples’ Food Co-Op 100 Mi Market, Kalamazoo -- 3 p.m.-7 p.m. July 17, July 24, and July 31.
Zoetis Corporation, Kalamazoo -- July 25
ECCU Grand Opening, Kalamazoo -- 11 a.m.-1p.m., July 26
South Haven Farmer’s Market -- 8 a.m.-2 p.m., July 27
Best Buy Customer Appreciation, Portage -- 6 p.m.-8 p.m., July 28
Bronson Hospital, John and Walnut St. Kalamazoo -- 11a.m.-2p.m.; July 31
People’s Food Co-Op 100 Mi Market, Kalamazoo -- 3 p.m.-7 p.m. July 31
Lunchtime LIVE at Bronson Park, -- 11:30 am-1:30 p.m., Aug. 2
South Haven Farmer’s Market -- 8am – 2 p.m., Aug. 3
Bronson Hospital, John & Walnut St, 11am-2 p.m., Aug. 7
People’s Food Co-Op100 Mi Market, 3pm-7 p.m. Aug. 7
Blanford Reunion, Grand Rapids -- Aug. 9
South Haven Farmer’s Market -- 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., Aug. 10
Bronson Hospital, John & Walnut St, 11am-2 p.m., Aug. 14
People’s Food Co-Op100 Mi Market, 3 p.m.-7 p.m., Aug. 14
Bronson Hospital, John & Walnut St, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Aug. 21
People’s Food Co-Op 100 Mile Market, Kalamazoo -- 3 p.m.-7 p.m., Aug. 21
Traverse City Microbrewery Festival, Traverse City, Aug. 23– 24
Bronson Hospital, John and Walnut Streets --11 a.m.-2 p.m., Aug. 28
People’s Food Co-Op100 Mi Market, Kalamaoo -- 3 p.m-7 p.m., Aug. 28
South Haven Farmer’s Market -- 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., Aug. 31
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