Forgotten Harvest | 51FT. | Mobile Food Bank Trailer
- UNITED FOOD TRUCK
- 1 day ago
- 9 min read
🚀 Latest Build by United Food Truck
A custom-engineered 51’ mobile food bank trailer built to expand Forgotten Harvest hunger-relief mission across Metro Detroit.
❤️ Turning a Hunger-Relief Mission into a Mobile Solution
At United Food Truck, we build more than custom trailers – we build tools that help people serve their communities. When Forgotten Harvest, a Metro Detroit nonprofit dedicated to fighting hunger, asked for a way to bring fresh food directly into neighborhoods, our team went to work. The result is a 51-foot mobile food bank trailer that turns their mission into something you can literally walk into: a full-size community market on wheels.
Forgotten Harvest has spent decades rescuing surplus food and getting it to families who need it most. Their team understands the need; our team understands how to engineer reliable, road-ready solutions.
From the first conversations, this project was about alignment. Forgotten Harvest brought their deep knowledge of food access, community needs and distribution. United Food Truck brought experience in gooseneck builds, cold storage, power systems and field-ready interiors. Together, we designed a trailer that could keep up with their routes, seasons and service volume.
🧺 Designing a Community Choice Market on Wheels
The heart of this build was a simple question:
“How can we make this feel less like a truck and more like a neighborhood market?”
Behind the Build – Follow the Process
Episode 1 – Kicking Off the Epic 51’ Trailer
Why Forgotten Harvest needed a mobile food bank and how the first design ideas came together.
Episode 2 – Chassis Work Begins
Structural reinforcements, generator placement and the foundation for everything that comes next.
Episode 3 – Powering the 51’ Trailer
Electrical infrastructure, wiring and systems that keep the unit running all day.
Episode 4 – Cold Storage and Shelving Installation
Refrigeration, shelving and interior finishes that turn the shell into a working market.
Episode 5 – Final Layout and Ramp Upgrades
Accessibility details, final checks and full walkthrough of the completed trailer.
Our design team worked side by side with Forgotten Harvest to create a community choice layout where guests can step inside, move through organized aisles and choose the items that work best for their families. Every decision – from door placement to aisle width – was made to balance flow, capacity and dignity.
Key design goals we focused on:
Create a warm, welcoming market experience rather than a warehouse feel.
Make the space intuitive for guests and efficient for volunteers.
Engineer the structure, power and cold storage for daily, year-round use in Michigan weather.
🎥 Take the Tour
Inside the 51’ Mobile Food Bank
🛠️ Key Features & Equipment
This project was engineered to deliver a dignified, efficient, and grocery-style experience for families across Metro Detroit. Here’s a glimpse into the onboard setup designed by United Food Truck to power Forgotten Harvest’s mission:
(4) Single-Door Refrigerated Merchandisers – Ideal for fresh produce, dairy, and ready-to-eat items.
(1) Single-Door Freezer Merchandiser – Built to store proteins and frozen meals safely on the go.
Chrome Wire Shelving Suite – Provides organized, high-visibility dry-goods storage for quick restocking.
25KW Diesel Generator (Enclosed Compartment) – Ensures reliable power for refrigeration, lighting, and HVAC at every stop.
Dual 15K BTU Roof-Mounted AC Units – Keep guests and staff comfortable in any season.
Stainless-Steel Interior Walls & Insulated Structure – Boost durability, hygiene, and long-term performance.
Accessibility Ramp System with Handrails – Creates safe, ADA-friendly access for all visitors.
12V Electric Awnings – Provide shade and shelter during high-traffic distribution events.
Supporting systems include a fresh-water tank, waste-water tank, electrical panel, and temperature- efficient doors and air curtains — ensuring this mobile market performs flawlessly during long service days.
🛠️ Inside the 51’ Mobile Food Bank
Community Choice Market Layout – Allows guests to walk through the trailer and select food with dignity and ease.
Wide Interior Circulation Path – Engineered for smooth movement even during high-volume distributions.
Bright LED Interior Lighting – Ensures clear visibility for guests and volunteers at every stop.
Non-Slip Flooring System – Built for safety during fast-paced service and frequent loading/unloading.
Full-Insulation Package – Maintains stable interior temperatures, improving comfort and energy efficiency.
Stainless Ceiling & Wall Panels – Easy to clean, long-lasting, and ideal for high-traffic food programs.
The result is a mobile environment that operates like a compact supermarket — durable, organized, efficient, and built to serve thousands of families across Metro Detroit.
⚙️ Engineering Highlights
51’ Gooseneck Trailer Platform – Offers maximum stability, weight distribution, and interior capacity.
Triple 12,500 lb Torsion Axles – Deliver superior suspension and payload support for heavy equipment.
200 Amp Electrical System – Designed to handle refrigeration, HVAC, lighting, water pumps, and onboard accessories.
Integrated Generator Compartment – Ventilated and insulated to maximize safety and reduce noise.
Fresh & Waste Water System – Includes 30-gallon fresh and 40-gallon waste tanks for complete field autonomy.
Manual Transfer Switch & Battery Kill Switch – Provide operational flexibility and safety during deployments.
Every element reflects United Food Truck’s commitment to engineering solutions that last — equipment built not just to function, but to serve a mission.
🔧 Technical Specifications
Built with precision for Forgotten Harvest, this 51-foot custom gooseneck trailer is engineered to operate as a high-capacity, mobile community-choice market. The unit supports a full distribution workflow — from refrigerated storage to guest circulation — while maintaining durability, accessibility, and year-round climate stability. The interior features stainless-steel finishes, full insulation, and commercial-grade components, delivering a clean, professional environment designed for daily nonprofit service.
🧊 Refrigeration & Dry Storage
(4) Single-Door Refrigerated Merchandisers – Ideal for produce, dairy, and fresh goods.
(1) Single-Door Freezer Merchandiser – Supports frozen proteins and meal distribution.
Chrome Wire Shelving Suite – High-visibility organization for pantry staples and dry goods.
Temperature Control Curtains – Maintain interior climate during continuous foot traffic.
⚙️ Utilities & Power
25KW Enclosed Diesel Generator – Reliable power supply for refrigeration, HVAC, and lighting during field deployment.
(2) 15K BTU Roof-Mounted AC Units – Keep the interior comfortable through all Michigan seasons.
200 Amp Electrical Panel – Engineered to handle full equipment load safely and efficiently.
Manual Transfer Switch & Battery Kill Switch – Add safety, control, and operational flexibility.
Full Interior LED Lighting Package – Bright, energy-efficient illumination for guest visibility.
🚰 Plumbing & Service Systems
30-Gallon Fresh Water Tank – Supports basic sanitation needs on site.
40-Gallon Waste Water Tank – Designed for easy maintenance and long service days.
Undercounter Water Heater & Pump – Ensures reliable hot water access when needed.
Insulated PEX Piping – Protects against temperature fluctuations during winter operations.
🧩 Accessibility & Structural Features
ADA-Friendly Ramp System with Handrails – Safe, sturdy, and designed for all guests.
48" x 48" Landing Platform – Smooth transition point from ramp to entry.
Gooseneck Trailer Frame (51’ x 8.5’) – Built for stability, capacity, and optimal towing performance.
Triple 12,500 lb Torsion Axles – Combined 37,500 lb capacity for heavy-duty service.
Screw-Less Exterior Aluminum Skin – Clean, durable, and weather-resistant finish.
Stainless-Steel Interior Walls & Ceiling – Hygienic, durable, and easy to maintain.
Serving Communities Together
This 51’ mobile food bank trailer is proof of what happens when mission meets engineering. Forgotten Harvest brings the heart, the volunteers and the vision of hunger relief. United Food Truck brings the design, fabrication and technical expertise to keep that mission moving.
Every time this trailer rolls into a new parking lot, both teams are there in spirit:
Forgotten Harvest, making sure no good food is wasted and no family is forgotten.
United Food Truck, making sure the equipment behind that mission is safe, efficient and ready for one more stop.
🔗 Connect with Forgotten Harvest
📍15000 W. Eight Mile Rd, Oak Park MI 48237
🌐 Website
📧 info@forgottenharvest.org Tel: Phone: (248) 967-1500
✨ Ready to build a mobile unit for your nonprofit?
United Food Truck works with nonprofits, food banks, churches and municipalities to design units that fit real-world routes, real budgets and real missions.
🛠 Start Your Build Now
You imagine it — we build it.
Curious how much a build like this would cost? Or wondering what’s possible for your concept?
📞 Contact us to get answers, pricing, and expert guidance from the UFT team.
Whether you’re ready to get started or just exploring the idea, we’re here to help turn your vision into a fully customized food truck, trailer, or container kitchen.
📲 (786) 452-1392
Monday - Friday | 8am - 5pm
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Our team of food truck enthusiasts and experts is eager to assist you. Whether you're looking to customize your own mobile kitchen, explore our innovative features, or discover the exceptional quality of our craftsmanship, don't hesitate to reach out.
At United Food Truck, we're not just about building food trucks; we're about building dreams. Your culinary adventure awaits, and we're here to make it extraordinary. So, drop us a line, give us a call, or stop by our office – we can't wait to hear from you!
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