LOS ANGELES -- The Z Truck has just hit the streets of L.A. The Z Truck carries healthy snacks, as well as helium balloons and handcrafted, lead-free toys imported from Greece, Germany and London. Jill Gatsby, owner of a new company called Z Treats, said the Z Truck is her answer to the ice cream man.
"I was sick and tired of seeing my kid flip out at the park every time the rusty old ice cream truck pulled up," she said. "The guy circles the park 20 times a day and he won't stop playing the music. My friends and I aren't so keen on feeding our kids huge doses of sugar, nor were we [image-nocss] happy at the site of a three year old girl walking away from the ice cream truck with a pack of candy cigarettes in her hand. That was the straw that broke the camel's back for me. I decided to create a healthy snack truck for kids that was super clean, super fun with delicious all natural treats on board."
She added, "I do confess though that some chocolate has slipped onto the Z! I just couldn't resist having truffles."
The Z Truck is a converted 1982 U.S. mail truck. The old mail seat has been replaced with a red Nascar racing seat and the truck has been painted Corvette red and yellow inside and out. The shelves inside the truck are also Corvette red. On the curb side of the vehicle, a three-foot horn has been installed so children can come up and honk it. The truck has its own PA system with more than 25 animal sounds, 50 children songs and five sirens. Finally, it has a vintage popcorn machine.
The main treat for sale on the truck is Los Angeles-based Z Treats' new popcorn that comes in frappachino cups. Z Treats popcorn labeled Z POPS has no genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and comes in flavors such as Pizza Pops, Barbecue Pops and Baked Potato Pops. There are a few sweet popcorns on board such as Blue Berry Pops, Cinnamon Pops and Confetti Pops.
The Z Truck also carries Uncle Eddie's Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies and the entire line of Thin Bars.
The Z Truck pulls up literally blowing bubbles via a built-in bubble machine. It also carries cartoon band-aids and has a full first aid kit on board in case a kid at the park gets hurt. The Z Truck even carries wet wipes and spare diapers for park emergencies. It does not charge customers for the diapers, wipes or balloons.
The truck is also available to be booked for birthday parties and special events. The Z Truck recently hosted the private preview screening of the new film The Spiderwick Cronicles. The Z Truck pops fresh Fireworks Popcorn at all parties and special events. Fireworks Popcorn is all natural and pops in several different colors. It is also available at night for nightclubs.
Members help make our journalism possible. Become a CSP member today and unlock exclusive benefits, including unlimited access to all of our content. Sign up here.