Supporting Veterans Through Culinary Entrepreneurship
J.J. Foley is the founder, CEO and head chef of Let’s Chow, a nonprofit helping veterans, military spouses and military-connected refugees start their own culinary businesses. The organization was started in January 2020 after the death by suicide of a friend and veteran who was trying to start his own business. Since its inception, Let's Chow has grown into a national nonprofit with four food trucks and plans to help multiple businesses this year.
To listen/watch to the full podcast interview hosted by Greater Than Zero Percent (GTZP), visit our or Spotify or Apple.
This conversation focuses on the journey of a Navy officer who has been in service for 15 years. He explains how his experience in the Navy shaped his personality and passion for helping sailors. It also touches on how he started Let's Chow to support veterans and military spouses, why he is so passionate about the Navy and military services, as well as how they pivoted due to COVID-19 restrictions by donating meals instead of providing vocational skills in the culinary arts.
They partner with local nonprofits that own kitchens and churches, ask local businesses for donations, have won a national competition through Sam Adams Brewing the American Dream which allowed them to purchase their first food truck, provide targeted lessons for the culinary space such as portioning and meal prep at customer events such as food drives where they provide restaurant quality meals along with necessary items.
Currently, there are four trucks in operation: one in San Diego serving Filipino street food, one in Atlantic City serving Spanish tapas and Philly cheese steaks, one in Annapolis/DC with Afghan cuisine operated by four Afghan refugees who were interpreters for the US military and US government, and one in Miami/Fort Lauderdale operated by a military spouse and veteran serving coffee and pastries.
Let's Chow is a food service organization that provides online training for those interested in joining the food service industry. They have a progressive model with different levels of experience and have not wait listed anyone. The challenge they face is that they cannot have food trucks everywhere due to geographical diversity, so they are looking into long-term solutions such as a brick and mortar hub and a traveling boot camp truck for disaster relief.
Jordan encourages people to visit one of their food trucks or follow them on social media platforms to stay up to date!
To listen/watch to the full podcast interview hosted by Greater Than Zero Percent (GTZP), visit our or Spotify or Apple.
