If food brings people together, then food trucks should do the same thing. At least that's what Jodie Gallant, owner of WORK Lakes Region, thinks. While several upcoming pop-up events offer an opportunity to bring visibility to all businesses involved, Gallant said she sees the recent growth of the neighborhood, and wants to contribute to that continued activity.

“We thought food trucks would be a great way to bring community and build community and connection amongst our neighbors and our friends, and just bring more people into the area,” she said.

WORK Lakes Region, a co-working and event space, is hosting food truck pop-ups with Tartaglia’s Pie on the Fly mobile wood-fired pizza oven and a Chick-fil-A truck. The trucks will serve in the back parking lot at 51 Elm Street on the last two Fridays in August.

Tartaglia’s Pie on the Fly, which is cash only, will be set up 11 a.m.-2 p.m. this Friday, Aug. 23, and Chick-fil-A, which is usually seen at Tanger Outlets Tilton, will be there 11 a.m.-2 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 30. 

Tartaglia’s Pie on the Fly is the mobile version of Tartaglia’s Pizza, a restaurant in Campton that fires pizza in an Italian-made brick wood oven. Owner Cat Tartaglia studied in Florence, Italy, at the Bivero Pizza Academy to perfect her craft, and uses fresh ingredients, using farm fresh ingredients as often as she can during the season. She believes her pizza is different from most in the Lakes Region.

“We're the best pizza in New Hampshire,” Tartaglia said. “And so anybody who hasn't tried us, this is their opportunity to get out there and try us.”

The restaurant is open Thursday through Sunday. Restaurantgoers can play corn hole on Thursdays, and hear live music on Sundays. For more details, visit tartagliaspizza-nh.com.

Gallant is excited to host Tartaglia’s Pie on the Fly.

“We believe everyone loves pizza. So to bring a wood-fired pizza, which isn't necessarily in our marketplace right now anyway, doesn't disrupt the local businesses that are here, and just adds another option of a different food style or a different preparation style,” she said.

Gallant said for the first three weeks in September, organic coffee and smoothie truck Straws+ will be onsite Monday mornings. Their first event was a Canal Street Block Party in August, and owner Mary Beth Purge is glad WORK Lakes Region is bringing more food trucks to the city.

"There's not very many food trucks here, so that's surprising," she said. "We came from the Philadelphia metropolitan area, and there's food trucks everywhere there ... we have felt very welcomed in the community."

Purge's son Maddoc, 13, created a brand of gluten-free and dairy-free Belgian waffles — MaddGrub. He's had food allergies since he was a baby. Purge said they have been a hit, and encourages people to stop by to try them.

If this food truck pop-up is successful, Gallant said she would like to continue the events.

“We're not making any commitments. If it works well, and it's not disruptive and it's an asset, and it's an engaged program in this central Lakeport area, and people want it, we'll continue the effort to coordinate it and bring more down the road,” she said.

Lakes Region Chamber President Karmen Gifford said food trucks have allowed collaborations between local businesses that help spur growth, and are not direct competitors with local restaurants. She is excited for another opportunity for food trucks in Laconia.

"This is an experience. And people love experiences," Gifford said. "And in today's world and business, it really is about an experience. And I think food trucks have that as much as going in a restaurant."