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LAUNCH and TVFCU to host food truck events at credit union branches

June 28, 2023

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (June 28, 2023) — 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
September 29	The Bistro	Tex Mex with Soul	Hamilton Place	7442 Commons Blvd., Chattanooga, TN 37421
September 29	Los Tainos	Puerto Rican and Dominican	North Cleveland	180 Stuart Crossing NW, Cleveland, TN 37312

 

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.   

 

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About LAUNCH

Started in 2011, LAUNCH is a local non-profit entrepreneur support organization that has assisted with the start of nearly 500 new businesses. LAUNCH provides training, coaching and access to capital primarily to underrepresented entrepreneurs in Chattanooga, Tennessee. LAUNCH runs LAUNCH CHA in its work to support new entrepreneurs, LAUNCHing Bright Ideas in introducing entrepreneurship to students in area high schools, the Kitchen Incubator of Chattanooga as a shared kitchen space for food entrepreneurs and has provided training, coaching and national network affiliation to 20 partner organizations in other cities.  LAUNCH believes strongly in the ability of entrepreneurship to transform individuals and communities.  For more information, please visit LAUNCHcha.org.

 

About Tennessee Valley Federal Credit Union

Tennessee Valley Federal Credit Union (TVFCU), a not-for-profit financial cooperative, was established in 1936 when 57 Chattanooga TVA employees pooled $500 to create the member-owned credit union. Today, TVFCU serves more than 175,000 members who live, work, worship, volunteer or attend school throughout the 17-county service community. With more than $2.5 billion in assets and 23 branches throughout the area, TVFCU is the largest credit union in Southeast Tennessee. For more information about TVFCU, please visit tvfcu.com.