Farmer's Grill

Crosswalk helping North Idaho teens earn a paycheck. By Colin Anderson.

It’s the first day of Farmer’s Grill, and by 1:30pm the bread is starting to run low. Through office conversations and social media buzz, people are slowly hearing about a new food truck parked at Heritage Health. A food truck with a consistent lunch hour line; a testimony to the great start for the new business. It’s been a year in the making, and the hard work is paying off for Volunteers of America and a group of local young people learning the ins and outs of running their own business.

Under the supervision of Crosswalk North Idaho Director Brandi Smitherman and Crosswalk Employment Advocate Mike Wood, teens are learning job skills, gardening, business planning, and how to work together as a team. Crosswalk North Idaho is a place for local at risk youth to go for support. Crosswalk offers crisis intervention, activities, employment training, recreation, snacks, and clothing. The drop in center, located in the basement of St. Vincent DePaul, is a place for young people to go in the afternoons to access help or just have someone to talk with. Crosswalk of North Idaho also runs a Work Ready program which pairs 16-21 year olds with employers in Kootenai County. Here they learn skills from local professionals that help put them on the path to future financial independence. It is programs like this and the Farmer’s Grill concept that give teens a real world experience.

“We noticed that when a lot of our kids turned 18 they weren’t prepared for the working world,” explained Smitherman. “Here at Farmer’s Grill they learn from professionals, acquire skills, and get a paycheck as well.”

The group of nine participants has been with the truck every step of the way, including growing the veggies that go into the sandwiches. At a garden in Newman Lake, they composted, picked weeds, planted, watered, and harvested tomatoes, lettuce, radishes, and herbs. The garden is pesticide free so teens receive an education on incorporating fresh produce into their diets.

“I’ve really learned a lot,” said 14-year old Raymond. “They’ve taught us how to do the farming, cooking, and planning. It’s been a really fun experience so far.”

The Farmer’s Grill is currently parked in the Heritage Health parking lot, located just off Lakewood Drive between Ironwood and Northwest Boulevard. For just $5 you get a freshly made sandwich with chips or a fresh salad plucked from the garden. Dressings are made from scratch using herbs from the Farmer’s Grill garden as well. A variety of drinks are available for a dollar more. Food is served from 11am to 2pm. The best part about this lunch is that every dollar goes right back into the program. The money is used to purchase ingredients, plates and napkins, keep the truck running and of course a paycheck for hard working young adults.

As we’ve all seen, restaurants are a busy place over lunch hour and The Farmer’s Grill is no exception. The constant stream of people has the team working together to make sure orders come out right and on time.

“We all work together and pass jobs to each other. It’s a small space in there so we really have to work as a team,” said Raymond.

As of now The Farmer’s Grill is opened Mondays and Fridays. Crosswalk is looking to secure another midweek location in Post Falls as well. There will be rotating daily specials such as BLTs and Chicken Salad, and be on the lookout for the big white truck at Taste of Coeur d’Alene, Post Falls Days, Rathdrum Days, and more events across Kootenai County.

If you’re still not sold here’s one last pitch from grower/chef Raymond. “They’re really good sandwiches, it’s all fresh and they taste good. That’s why you should come here.”

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