Celebrating Black Excellence: Carolyn Henry and The Stop Food Truck Make a Delicious Impact in the CSRA

Augusta, GA – Carolyn Henry, the passionate owner of The Stop Food Truck, is making waves in the Augusta community through her commitment to local farmers, sustainable living, and global flavors. Recently featured on Celebrating Black Excellence 365 on WJBF News 6, Henry shared her inspiring story and the impactful work she is doing to nurture both the body and the local economy.

Henry’s motto for her food truck, “Where we will stop is where we will cook,” perfectly encapsulates her approach to culinary creativity. By sourcing fresh, local ingredients from farmers and urban growers across the CSRA, she has crafted a menu that celebrates global flavors while supporting community agriculture. From local honey sourced from Country Sweet Honey’s to fresh produce from Adderson’s Fresh Produce and Hancock Farms, The Stop Food Truck embodies the essence of harvest local, add global flavor.

Originally from Southern Maryland, Henry relocated to Hephzibah to give her children a slower-paced lifestyle. Leaving behind the high costs of the D.C. area, she found the welcoming community of Hephzibah to be the perfect place to plant roots and start her business. Today, she is not only serving up delicious food, but she is also cultivating a movement that encourages local sourcing, self-sufficiency, and sustainability.

For Henry, using the local farmers’ market is not just a business decision; it’s a vital part of her commitment to the community. “It’s not just fresh because it’s local,” she explained during her interview, “but it’s also about strengthening our immune system with things like local honey.” The food truck partners with local farmers, ensuring that every dish served is both a culinary experience and an opportunity to support small-scale agriculture.

One of the core values that Henry emphasizes is the importance of growing your own food. A mother and grandmother, Henry stresses the need to teach future generations how to be self-sufficient. During the recent hurricane, she reflected on the comfort and security that came from having collards and kale right in her backyard. It was a simple yet powerful reminder of how access to fresh food—whether from a backyard garden or a local market—can provide both nourishment and peace of mind in times of need.

Beyond food, Henry is a staunch advocate for community engagement. The Stop Food Truck regularly participates in local events, where Henry not only serves food but also interacts with community members, teaching children how to cook some of her delicious dishes. She encourages parents to get their children involved in growing their own food, whether through local 4H programs or simple backyard projects. Henry believes that by “getting kids away from the electronics” and into the garden, they can not only learn about sustainability but also develop a deeper connection to nature.

The importance of supporting local businesses and farmers extends beyond food. “If I buy locally, I can keep the costs low and the price point lower,” Henry shared. By buying local, she ensures that money stays within the community, strengthening the local economy and supporting small businesses. “We need to get our school systems up, and we need to get our children moving,” she added, underscoring how supporting local vendors and growers can have a ripple effect that reaches every aspect of community life.

Despite the challenges posed by recent tariffs that have raised the cost of seeds and nursery plants, Henry remains steadfast in her belief that growing your own food can help mitigate costs. “If I grow it myself,” she said, “I can save my seeds, and I can save money later on next year or the next harvest.”

The Stop Food Truck is more than just a place to grab a bite to eat—it is a beacon of community empowerment and sustainable living. Henry’s work reminds us all of the importance of supporting local agriculture, growing our own food, and coming together to build a stronger, healthier, and more self-sufficient community.

For those inspired by Carolyn Henry’s mission, there are many ways to get involved. Whether it’s visiting The Stop Food Truck at its next local event, learning how to grow your own food, or supporting local farmers, every action counts. Follow The Stop Food Truck on Facebook and Instagram to stay up to date with their latest events and community initiatives, or reach out to learn more about how you can contribute to the growing movement of local food sustainability.

Let’s continue to support each other, nurture our local economy, and build a future where we all can thrive. As Henry says, “Pick up some seeds, throw them on the ground, and let God do the work. You’ll get a reward at the end of it.”