07/20/2026
Paonia Food Movement didn't start with a shiny refrigerated box truck. It started with an old Toyota Tacoma I bought from a woman in Telluride. The truck had belonged to her husband, who had tragically passed away in an avalanche. I like to think that truck still carried a little of his adventurous spirit.
Not long after, I spotted a lumber rack sitting on the side of the road with a FREE sign on it. That simple find became the foundation for an insulated topper that I built myself. For the first six months of Paonia Food Movement, that little Tacoma faithfully hauled food over McClure Pass every single week.
Then came the next chapter.
I found a retired refrigerated box truck from an ice delivery company in Silverthorne. First came the inside transformation—custom sliding cabinets, a deep freezer, and a layout designed to keep hundreds of local products organized. Then came the outside. I designed a truck wrap with graphics and with the help of friends got it stuck on the side.. And finally...a name.
Meet Boxanne. ❤️
Looking back, none of this happened all at once. Every stage built on the one before it. Every improvement came because someone lent a hand, offered advice, donated materials, shared their skills, or simply believed in what I was trying to build.
It's easy to think you need everything figured out before you begin. But I've learned the opposite is true.
Start with what you have. The rest will evolve.
Thank you to everyone who has helped shape this journey—from the farmers and customers to the friends, family, and complete strangers who showed up exactly when they were needed. Boxanne may be the one driving down the road today, but she's carrying a whole community with her.
I'd love to know...what's something in your life that started small and grew into something you never imagined?
Are you interested in joining the Paonia Food Movement? See what it's all about and place an order to be delivered this Friday. The order deadline is Tuesday at 6pm.
https://paoniafoodmovement.com/
