SYRACUSE, N.Y. — More than 50 food trucks came together at the New York State Fairgrounds for the Food Truck Battle.

Each truck offers a specialty dish that will be voted on by a panel of judges and the event goers.

James Bell owns a few food trucks, including the Spud Shack, and has been in the business for more than 20 years.

“It’s a blast,” said Bell. “We prepare all week for this. Competing with fellow food truckers, sharing each other’s posts and items. We text in the morning, ‘everybody better be ready and not going to sell out.’ We try to amp everybody up for this thing.”

Others are just getting into it. Dara Copeland just recently acquired her food truck, the Yum Yum Shack, and is still figuring it out.

“It’s very demanding and rewarding at the same time,” said Copeland. “This is our first big event and it’s very busy out here. We decided to give it a try and it’s going good.”

A growing business, the Syracuse Food Truck Association wanted to bring trucks together for some friendly competition.

It’s a challenging job to work in a confined space and fast-paced environment during the warmest months of the year. But food truck vendors find more value in their customers.

“The people putting smiles on everybody’s face serving a great product,” said Bell. “Just having a good time, working with great people. This is what it’s all about we love seeing the customers come back event after after, year after year. Smiling, saying, ‘hi’, coming back. That’s what I think keeps us going.”  

A portion of ticket proceeds from the event with goes toward helping three different local nonprofit organizations: the Food Bank of CNY, Helping Hounds Dog Rescue and Clear Path for Veterans.

Food trucks will be back at the New York State Fairgrounds for this year’s fair. Not as many will be participating, but they will be there on the two Saturdays: Aug. 7 and Sept. 3.