This week Green on the Go celebrates 3 years of providing Perth with wholesome fast food! Parked on the edge of Crimea Reserve in Morley during the week and popping up at events around Perth on the weekends, this healthy food truck is a favourite for families, drive-bys and fitness fiends alike. Brittany started GOTG to make finding a healthy brekky or lunch easy, affordable and most of all, delicious. Like us at Honest Goods Co, Brit and the GOTG crew are all about good, clean food with no nasties and no fuss. We chatted with Brit about how she got started, what she loves most about her job, and what she’s learned along the way….
How did your interest in clean food start? Have you always been a healthy eater?
Not always, I had a very bad relationship with food until I was about 18. I was a big eater as a kid and though my family tried to help me by controlling my intake, I think it had almost a reverse effect. I would secretly eat lots of food! It wasn’t until I was an adult that my family stopped trying to manage my eating, and strangely enough that’s when I started to get a new perspective on food and health. I joined the gym and cleaned up my diet. I’ve never done fad diets! I have always been a slow & steady kind of gal. I ended up slowly changing my eating and lifestyle habits over 4 or 5 years. Now it’s more about a way of life than the weight for me, and I like that I can enjoy food without having to think of it as good or bad.
Your background is in the building industry for 9 years where you worked in various administrative and corporate roles. What gave you the idea to try something completely new?
I’ve had an interest in healthy food since my early 20’s after I got healthy through changing my diet and regular exercise. I would always pack my pre-made meals for work but on Fridays I would treat myself to a healthy lunch from a nearby café. However, I found it hard to find cafes with lots of wholefood options! I was feeling less and less satisfied in my corporate job, and I daydreamed a lot about starting my own business, something I really care about. My now husband and I had lots of ideas and the family had heaps of input too, and eventually the idea that stuck was a healthy food truck where we would serve good, clean food without the fuss.
What is the mission of GOTG?
To offer nutritious snacks and meals that are calorie friendly, well-balanced and cater to allergies such as gluten and dairy intolerance. Having said that, we also want our food to be enjoyed by the everyday person, without compromising on flavour or quality. A lot of healthy food is just so boring, and we want to show customers that healthy food can be totally delicious!
How did you go about choosing your regular spot for the truck?
When I first dreamed up the food truck idea, I envisioned being parked along the coast or in Osborne Park, but I soon discovered that securing a spot is way more competitive than I first imagined. I first heard about Crimea Reserve through other food vendors. It was close to my home & my family’s home (they’re constantly helping me!!), so I called the council & within 24 hours I had a permit. The spot was only supposed to be temporary until I found another location but it was an instant success, so I stayed. We feel like part of the community there now, it’s a really lovely spot with grass and shady trees … it’s perfect.
You recently introduced reusable plates and cutlery for customers sitting down to eat in the park … what other ways are you prioritising sustainability in your business?
Yes we did and the response has been great so far! We also split our rubbish everyday with general waste and recycling. We are researching the idea of fixed power at our regular location to eliminate the generator. Also some of our customers take our coffee grinds at the end of the week to use for their composting!
Sit on the grass and eat your lunch with reusable plates
Family time in Crimea Reserve
What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned in business since you started in 2016?
I have learnt what true hard work is!! On the other hand, I’ve also learned that working yourself to death isn’t worth it at the end of the day, if it’s compromising your relationship with others or yourself. Yes, you need to put in the extra hours especially at the start, but if you aren’t enjoying life then what’s the point? I’m finally at the stage of employing staff to hopefully give me a better work life balance.
Since you started the truck what has been your best high?
100% my customers are my biggest high! The friendships we have formed, watching their newborns grow into the cutest kids, spoiling their pets, sharing stories & life experiences with them, counselling each other & generally seeing their faces everyday, they’re like family to me.
And the main challenge you’ve faced as a small business owner?
Where do I start?! Doing the books is not my favourite job, but actually I think letting go of control & trusting others to take on tasks for me is the hardest thing, because once a business starts to grow, you have to allow your team to take on responsibility and trust them to represent the brand.
Honest Goods Co. x Green on the Go!
Homemade raw treats
Favourite menu item?
Our peanut butter choc acai bowl!
Favourite way to pimp Honest Goods?
You cannot beat the simplicity of the Paleo Pumpkin Bread toasted with Nuttelex, it tastes like popcorn!!! Another crowd favourite is our Superfood Sandwich – the HGC Seeded Superfood Bread with hummus, beetroot, carrot, jarlsberg, roast beef & tomato relish .
When you’re not behind the wheel, what are your favourite spots in Perth to get a bite to eat?
My ultimate favourite cafe is Little Bird in Northbridge! I am thrilled they have recently reopened. I also love Canteen for a coastal brekky.
And how do you spend your down time?
Lots of coastal walks and beach swims with my husband Matt and our dopey black Labrador, Sammy. Spending time with my girlfriends and my family. I also enjoy the gym and yoga when I get a chance
Lastly … any new developments in the works?
I hope so! I’m hoping with the additional staff I will be able to use my extra time to take Green On The Go to the next level, so I guess I should say watch this space?!!