Fresno awards $85K in grants to boost local mobile food vendors' dreams

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- On Thursday morning, the Fresno Area Hispanic Foundation, along with the County of Fresno, united in downtown Fresno to celebrate and empower 23 mobile food vendors.

$85,000 was awarded in total, with individual grants of up to $4,000.

Money, CEO Dora Westerlund says, helps mobile food vendors reach some of their goals, including Hans Witrago, owner of King Elotero Man.

"To get it wrapped is one of the biggest," said Hans Witrago.

Currently, his food truck has a lot of words of inspiration and signatures, including some big names.

"Famous people signed it, including Josh Allen, the football player from Firebaugh, a lot of celebrities and normal people like you and me," Witrago said.

Despite the history, Witrago says his truck is often confused for a taco truck but on his menu is all things elote like this one covered in hot Cheetos.

He's thankful for the support he's received at the Fresno Area Hispanic Foundation since 2022 when he started on a much smaller scale.

"I started on a bike with an umbrella and made my way to the trailer," Witrago said.

Another couple says their heart is also full of gratitude, they sold tamales without proper documentation and say the inspector who stopped them told them to go to the Foundation.

Maria calling that inspector an angel in disguise because now they sell tamales without fear.

From traditional pork and chicken tamales to the trendy flavors like strawberry and pineapple.

Westerlund says the foundation has been an organization many of these vendors have depended on for several years. with advice, guidance, encouragement and now a grant.

The checks were handed out one by one by Westerlund and Supervisor Brian Pacheco.

Westerlund says every vendor represents more than meets the eye and feels proud to stand by their side.

"They represent resilience and they represent how things can get done when you have little resources. To me, we are serving the greater good and underserved community and to me that is what we are here for," said Westerlund.

She says there is guidance and support for entrepreneurs or anyone thinking of starting a local business.

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