Senior Daniela Nava has been thinking about food trucks since sophomore year.

But Nava didn’t just have them on her mind for the food they offer and the unique ordering experience they give.

Nava, the outgoing vice president of the Student Union Board (SUB), had a purpose in thinking about food trucks, namely bringing them to campus for the student body to enjoy.

What was once a mere idea will come to fruition Thursday, April 16, when SUB and Elon Dining bring five food trucks to campus for lunch.

The process of bringing food trucks to campus began when Nava and now-outgoing SUB president Kyle Koach were first on SUB’s executive board sophomore year.

“It’s been a long time that we’ve been dreaming this up,” Nava said. “We fantasized with the idea sophomore year, but we didn’t take it any further.”

Although many liked the idea at the time, SUB was not in the right place to take on such an event.

“SUB was in a different place,” Nava said. “It wasn’t the right time to pursue it. We didn’t have the support and success that we do today.”

In fall 2014, Nava toyed with the idea again.

Things began to fall into place when Nava, a sport and event management major, was assigned her final project for her senior seminar.

For a sport and event management’s senior seminar, they can create a project that applies anything they learned throughout the major courses.

A collaboration with SUB and Elon Dining fulfilled requirements for Nava to turn an idea she originally had as a sophomore in SUB to her senior seminar final project.   

In the middle of fall semester 2014, Nava then began to work with Aramark through Elon Dining and SUB to plan and coordinate the event.

Before Nava approached them, Aramark marketing coordinator for Elon Dining Heather Krieger said Elon Dining had already been thinking about bringing food trucks to campus.

“We had been thinking about doing something with food trucks in May 2015 as an end-of-the-year event for students,” Krieger said. “We joined with Daniela because we realized doing it together would be much easier and [more] successful than doing it alone.”

Because of success with larger events in recent years, SUB also jumped on board with the food trucks, as well.

Students are excited about the food trucks that will roll onto Elon’s campus Thursday.

“I heard about the event and am genuinely interested to see what the food trucks have,” said junior Alex Singer.

This is a different kind of co-sponsorship for SUB. Other than partnering with Carousel Cinemas to sell monthly $5 movie tickets to students, SUB primarily works with on-campus student organizations.

“Working with outside groups takes more communication and planning, but it’s a good challenge,” Nava said.

Originally, Nava intended to bring one truck to campus, but Elon Dining was able to provide the resources to bring more.

“With the help of Elon Dining, we turned the idea of having one truck to now five trucks,” Nava said. “I don’t think I would’ve been able to do all of this without their support.”

How to join the food truck frenzy

All five food trucks — Chirba Chirba Dumpling, Bang Bang Banh Mi (Gluten-free Vietnamese), Captain Ponchos (Mexican), STUFT (gourmet stuffed potatoes) and JAM Ice Cream (soft serve) — are from the Triad area and will be stationed in the 20-minute parking lot behind Belk Library from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Thursday.

Anyone interested in partaking in the “food truck frenzy” must purchase tickets.

Tickets, which can be purchased in dining halls across campus, at Moseley tables and at the event, are $3 for one and $12 for five.

There will be complimentary water and iced tea near the food trucks to accomodate the food students purchase and eat from the food trucks.

Students can purchase tickets using Meal Dollars, Food Dollars, Phoenix Cash or debit and credit cards.

Krieger said that, while Colonnades and McEwen dining halls will be closed during lunch Thursday to encourage students to try the food trucks, Lakeside and other retail options will remain open.

Many students expressed excitement for the food trucks.

“I’m excited to eat a lot of food,” said freshman Emily Perkinson. “I think it’s a great idea.”

The presence of food trucks is a recent cultural phenomenon that has popped up over recent years in cities across the U.S.

Freshman Julia Elfeman said food trucks are just starting to come to her hometown.

“I’m from Charleston and we’re just starting to get more food trucks,” said freshman Julia Elfeman. “I think it’s a good idea and I’m glad Elon’s bringing them to campus.”

Nava is using this event as a test-run for future events, and she hopes this event will continue and occur on a Thursday once a month. 

“I would also love to see this event take on the culture and climate that College Coffee has — something students rely on and get excited for,” she said.