Welcome to New Flavors!

Anthony Kerzman’s Original Documentary
Go to Building a New Flavors Food Truck
Building a New Flavors Food Truck

New Flavors introduces the culture of our newest friends and neighbors. It opens opportunity into the local economy. And it engages the communities young and vibrant members who strive for diversity, inclusion and an abundance of options.

Our Story

What is a New Flavors Food Truck?

The New Flavors Food Truck is a generic food truck available to new American residents to incubate new food-service businesses. Food is a social connector. Immigrant populations in other cities have effectively integrated by sharing their traditional cuisine with those unfamiliar with their country. The New Flavors Food Truck is an opportunity to celebrate emerging cultures while providing job and educational training to new Americans – as well as an opportunity to test, refine and incubate food service businesses at lower risk than opening a storefront location. Importantly - ok, VERY importantly - New Flavors is here because of Knight Foundation and, specifically, Knight Cities Challenge. In seeking ideas of any size to benefit Knight Communities, the KCC is an unparalleled effort for civic innovation, social disruption and community building.

  • Providing Economic Opportunity

    New Americans specifically will get a chance for easy entry into the food sector.

  • Building Inclusion

    Creating opportunities for new cultures to be explored by community members in a fun, non-threatening and, oh yeah, YUMMY way.

  • Retaining Talent

    By creating vibrant, diverse activities to this college town, NFFT will help reinforce Grand Forks as a great place for young talent.

  • Promoting Civic Innovation

    NFFT exemplifies and therefore encourages civic innovations - the necessary actions that help to strengthen robust cities with thriving economies and quality of life.

OUR TEAM

Here's a look at who's making the truck run.
Pete Haga
Pete Haga
New Flavors President & Secretary
Pete was a proud recipient of a Knight Cities Challenge grant from Knight Foundation to establish an ‘uber for food trucks’ aimed at increasing the inclusion and economic opportunities for New Americans. He works for the Grand Forks Mayor and has an amazing – and patient – family.
CYNTHIA SHABB
CYNTHIA SHABB
New Flavors Board Vice President.
Cynthia has been an inspiration and invested in New Flavors since inception. Cynthia is Executive Director of Global Friends Coalition and is also a Grand Forks School Board Member.
BARRY WILFARHT
BARRY WILFARHT
New Flavors Treasurer
Barry has an incredibly vast experience with public and private organizations and has served in every capacity and performed just about every function possible. Barry is the Executive Director of The Chamber and of numerous boards.
Ilhaam Hassan
Ilhaam Hassan
New Flavors Board & Restaurant Entrepreneur
Ilhaam brings a vast experience in the food economy. As part of the ownership team of Juba Cafe, Ilhaam is a part of the local food economy.
Molly Yeh
Molly Yeh
Board Member, Food Blogger and Book Author.
Food Blogger extraordinaire, Molly Yeh not only brings an expertise in the culinary field but an amazing grasp of brand, design and digital presence. Look for her book – released recently – that showcases her talent in so many ways.
MATT WALKOWIAK
MATT WALKOWIAK
New Flavors Board and Food Service Advisor
Matt is a perpetual community builder and community supporter. In addition to running his own restaurant, Ground Round, he is incoming chair of The Chamber and members of various community boards and organizations.
Noura Ahmed
Noura Ahmed
Board Member and representative of Somali community in Grand Forks.
Kristi Mishler
Kristi Mishler
Fmr Executive Director of the Community Foundation of Grand Forks, East Grand Forks and Region
Kristi tirelessly works for the community in numerous ways. Whether through the Community Foundation or the numerous other leadership positions, Kristi champions an informed and engaged community, broad philanthropy and putting the right people in the right place to make the right result.
KNIGHT CITIES CHALLENGE
KNIGHT CITIES CHALLENGE
Knight Foundation
The Knight Cities Challenge is designed to help spur civic innovation at the city, neighborhood, and block levels, and all sizes in between. KCC projects focus on three key drivers of city success: attracting talented people, expanding economic opportunity and creating a culture of civic engagement.

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