High fuel costs impact food truck owners in Lee County

LEE COUNTY, Fla. —

High fuel prices are making a big dent in profit for food truck owners in Lee County.

Mannely De Los Reyes and her husband, Luis, operate Taqueria Mil8Mil, an authentic Mexican food truck, traveling across Lee County and stopping for gas three to four times a day, with each fill-up costing about $140.

"This is what I'm meant to do. This is what I love to do," De Los Reyes said. "So I told him, 'Let's go all in.'"

Rising fuel costs are forcing the couple to weigh opportunities based on travel distance.

"They bring us an opportunity, and we have to decide whether or not it's too far because of the gas," De Los Reyes said. "Our pickup truck just sucks up all that gas in like one hour."

According to AAA, gas prices have increased by about $1.30 compared to this time last year in Lee County, while diesel prices have risen nearly $2.

The couple also faces additional costs to power their equipment with a generator.

"We still have to pay our bills," De Los Reyes said. "We have to pay for the truck and all the little things that just suck up on what you're making."

Experts said food truck owners are absorbing the financial strain of rising fuel and food costs rather than increasing menu prices.

"A lot of the food trucks really don't want to raise prices, and there are a lot of them that are really eating it right now," said Matt Geller, CEO of the National Food Truck Association. "I'm seeing a lot of food trucks really shortening their radius for where they'll actually go and service."

For now, the couple is holding off on raising prices but is keeping an eye on their fuel gauge.

"We're not trying to be money hungry. We're trying to grow with our community. This is our life," De Los Reyes said. "All of our blood, sweat, and tears are in this. Everything."

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