See Page 4 Activities to fight cancer

Since Jan. 12, various food trucks from across the U.S. have gathered at this park in Union each week to serve new and returning customers in efforts to grow their businesses. The event runs through May 25, with food trucks including Cousins Maine Lobster, Mexi-Boys, Big John’s Gourmet Burgers, Twelve Truck and Soup Phantom all making stops every Thursday.

Union Township developed the idea after the COVID-19 pandemic, collaborating with food trucks to deliver quality food and attract residents to support and boost their businesses. The township also works with local vendors such as Aunt Lullie’s and Grandma Emma’s at these events as well.

“We started working in Union Food Truck Fests in late 2021,” Peter Ferreyra, owner of The Box Mobile Catering, told LocalSource. “We have served a lot of customers from here, South Jersey and Central Jersey. The response has been amazing, so we are pushing forward.”

Many food trucks that attend this festival hope to gain enough customers to expand their businesses and purchase additional food trucks to serve more customers in different areas throughout the United States.

— See Page 8 Exploring the art of war

“The goal is definitely to buy a second truck, possibly a third,” Ferreyra told LocalSource, “to start a small fleet and eventually transition to owning a storefront. Only time will tell, but we continue to move forward (and) with the incredible

See Page 13 response to our food, we are not going away any time soon.”

Food trucks from Maine, Virginia, Fairfield, Bridgewater and various parts of New Jersey and the East Coast attend the festival every year to increase business beyond their town and state, to hit new markets and expand their brand.

It also increases foot traffic in Union See FOOD, Page 14

The Rotary Club of Union, in conjunction with the township of Union and the Board of Education, is hosting a Family Fun Fitness event on Saturday, May 13, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Union High School football field. Bring your children or grandchildren. Events include activities for children, food trucks, a DJ and fitness classes. Take one class or all the classes or just watch, enjoy the music and food.

The event will benefit two elementary school students from our town. Camy Dudek is a second-grader at Washington School. She was diagnosed with brain cancer when she was in kindergarten. Camy will need further treatment, which will require her parents to be away from her three other siblings.

Her mother, Robynn, said, “We just need to get an EKG and echocardiogram and we will be able to start chemo. We will still need to go for extensive testing of the heart, eyes, kidneys, brain and spine every month to make sure (everything) stays stable. We will also need to do biweekly blood work.”

Marciano Rosa is a third-grader at Washington School. He was recently diagnosed with T-cell leukemia and began his two- to three-year-long chemotherapy journey this past November. His mother said, “Marciano is a sweet, kind-hearted, smart and funny boy who has a smile that can light up any room.” All proceeds will be donated to the two families to help offset some of their medical bills as they travel with their children on the road to wellness.