By Jennifer Ortiz
Staff Writer
HOWELL – Taunton School PTA members will host an outdoor flea market and food truck event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 21 at the school, 41 Taunton Drive, Howell.
PTA Treasurer Kelly Tiboldo said the goal of the event is to raise money for school programs, with a focus on purchasing new playground equipment.
Programs supported by the PTA include the The Leader in Me, reinforcing positive characteristics and traits in students; I Love to Read, which promotes reading; and Red Ribbon Week, which teaches children how to say no to drugs.
Tiboldo said money that is raised at the May 21 event will go back to the school in some way.
PTA board member and event organizer Jessica Koven said guests can expect to see three food trucks at the event: Romano’s Disco Fries, CheezeN and Kona Ice.
Romano’s Disco Fries owner and chef Pat Romano said his menu can change to accommodate a specific event. His menu may include items such as pulled pork fries, pulled pork sliders, crispy fish tacos, fried ravioli, corn fritters, coconut shrimp, burgers, hot dogs and more.
“Pulled pork fries, that has become a giant. It’s fries, BBQ sauce, pulled pork and an Asian slaw I make. I call it the ice cream sundae of fries,” Romano said.
CheezeN owner John Gentile said, “We offer all types of grilled cheese, from pulled pork with aged cheddar, to our prosciutto caprese, along with our fan favorite, macaroni and grilled cheese with bacon. Our bread is purchased from a baker in New Jersey and I think that is what gives us that ‘wow’ factor, along with our awesome employees to give it the personal touch.”
Gentile said he offers “the grilled cheese that makes you smile.”
Cathy Cassidy, the owner of Kona Ice of the Jersey Shore, said guests with a sweet tooth can stop by her truck for Hawaiian shaved iced. Customers can find the “Flavor Wave” and create their own flavors while listening to relaxing tropical steel drum music.
“We were invited to this event by Jessica Koven. We are looking forward to it and hoping for nice weather,” Cassidy said.
Koven said she wanted to bring food trucks on board after seeing the success they have had at other events in the area.
“Since this is our first year doing an event like this, we decided to keep the food truck portion small. If we have a large shopper turnout, we plan on expanding the food truck aspect of the event for next year,” she said.
Flea market vendors and crafters will be selling a variety of items. Direct sales vendors are expected to include the Pampered Chef, Thirty One gifts, Rodan and Fields, Isagenix and Origami Owl custom jewelry, Koven said. Representatives of Gymboree, New Hope Chiropractic, Howell PAL and Hulafrog Southern Monmouth will also be in attendance.
“We are having a 50/50 raffle and a clothing drive for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Monmouth County,” Koven said.
A list of clothing that will be accepted can be found on the Taunton School PTA Flea Market and Food Truck Facebook page or at the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Monmouth County website at www.bbbsmmc.org.
For more information, contact Koven at RUJess28@gmail.com. The rain date for the event will be May 22.
