Food truck elevates lives of trafficking victims

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It's a unique business concept that involves a food truck and the hope of a better life at the center of it all.

“This is to help individuals who are coming out of the life of sex trafficking but also to help as a preventive way as well,” explains executive director of Exploit No More, Jarrett Luckett.

It's called The Elevated Chef. 

The food truck business plans on helping victims of human trafficking find a new voice, a new sense of self and a new skill that can help propel them out of the cycle of sex and exploitation. 

“I got involved with this about ten years ago, when I found out sex trafficking was happening. It just crushed me. It started with looking at what could I do, what talents and gifts do I have that can contribute to helping in this arena,” said Luckett. 

According to Exploit No More, human trafficking is the fastest growing crime in the U.S. and a $9.5 billion industry. 

Luckett says many times individuals may be a higher risk of being trafficked because they have a lack of self-worth and hope for their future or live in poverty.

“By being able to help with job training, it will help in the areas of prevention and getting those out of the sex trafficking industry. Many times when someone is coming out of the life, they've been told for however long that their value is selling their body. We want to help them see they have other gifts and talents that they've been given to be able to make an impact in this world,” Luckett said.   

It's hard to believe all of that hope can be packed inside the concept of a food truck but it is. Luckett says they have victims take a special 'strength training assessment'… to discover where their talents lie. They then place the individual in a position that best fits them.

“When you know that you're good at something, that limits vulnerability.”   

So, what kind of menu can we look forward to with The Elevated Chef?

“The first menu will includes chicken tenders. They will be some of the best chicken tenders you will ever have,” Luckett said.

Then, of course, there are the dipping sauces.

“You can choose your different sauces… from the Great Comeback to the Zesty Wisco Maple to the Sweet Curry. The Sweet Curry is so good.”   

We can't forget about the Elevated Burger, too.

In just a couple of weeks, they will be purchasing the truck from a vendor in Virginia with a $35,000 donation from Potawatomi's 2018 Heart of Canal Street campaign. 

The goal is to launch the The Elevated Chef this summer on the streets of Milwaukee. 

Who knew a food truck could do so much?

Learn more about the The Elevated Chef.

Another way you can help out is by attending the Dress Sequel event Saturday, March 9 from 10am-4pm at Farmhouse Paint and Sip in Milwaukee. 

All proceeds from the event will go to non-profit “Exploit No More,” the organization behind The Elevated Chef.