LAUNCH Chattanooga, a nonprofit supporting underserved entrepreneurs, and Tennessee Valley Federal Credit Union (TVFCU) are working together to support Chattanooga’s small business community while also hosting fun lunchtime events.
Food truck owners from LAUNCH’s Kitchen Incubator of Chattanooga (KIC), a startup facility meant to support emerging caterers, bakers, distributors and food truck owners through affordable space and access to quality equipment, are serving lunch at various TVFCU branches over the next several months. At these events, anyone can come out to purchase a variety of great meals, desserts and other specialty products from local startups.
“LAUNCH and the KIC exist to connect underrepresented entrepreneurs with life-changing resources and training,” said DeJuan Jordon, co-CEO of LAUNCH. “As we help small business owners in the food service industry find growth and success, we are thankful for TVFCU’s support in helping these talented chefs connect with the public.”
Food Truck Fridays at TVFCU branches start on June 30 and then occur on the second and fourth Friday of each month. Each day runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and the schedule is as follows:
| Date | Food Truck | Menu | TVFCU Branch | Address |
| June 30 | Fud Vybez | Caribbean and Southern Fusion | Southside | 125 W 20th St., Chattanooga, TN 37408 |
| July 14 | Bhamanooga Wings | Wings and Specialty Fries | Hamilton Place | 7442 Commons Blvd., Chattanooga, TN 37421 |
| July 28 | Look-Out 4 Sliders | Variety of Sliders | South Cleveland | 2440 Treasury Dr. SE, Cleveland, TN 37323 |
| August 11 | Soul Que | BBQ | Hamilton Place | 7442 Commons Blvd., Chattanooga, TN 37421 |
| August 25 | Chef Chasty Seafood and More | Seafood and Southern Fusion | Ooltewah | 6020 Relocation Way, Ooltewah, TN 37363 |
| September 8 | Mac’s Sub and Fries | Hot Subs and Fresh-Cut Fries | Southside | 125 W 20th St., Chattanooga, TN 37408 |
| September 22 | Fully Involved Bistro | American and Mexican Fusion | Ringgold | 35 Poplar Springs Road, Ringgold, GA 30736 |
LAUNCH is also hosting Food Truck Friday events at the KIC, located at 5704 Marlin Road in Eastgate, on the first and third Fridays of each month. Each event at the KIC features more than a dozen vendors who serve a wide variety of meals, beverages and desserts. A full list of participating vendors can be found on the KIC’s website.
“This is our second year extending LAUNCH’s excellent Food Truck Friday events to our branches,” said Marcus Cade-Johnson, TVFCU business lender and LAUNCH board member. “These events present a unique opportunity to support some incredible local entrepreneurs while also providing a fun experience for our members and the community.”
TVFCU’s sponsorship with LAUNCH is one of many ways the credit union is working to support the local business ecosystem in its 17-county service area. For example, the credit union’s Idea Leap Loan program provides affordable, accessible and efficient loans for entrepreneurs while the annual Idea Leap Grant allows small business owners to apply for grants up to $50,000. In total, TVFCU has originated over $5 million in Idea Leap Loans for roughly 170 unique businesses and has awarded over $485,000 in Idea Leap Grants and related scholarships.
For more information about TVFCU, including checking and savings accounts, loan products and other financial services, please visit tvfcu.com.
For more information about LAUNCH and the KIC, please visit launchchattanooga.org and kitchenincchatt.org.
