The Tuckerbox brings Australian food to Huntingdon County

Joanne Coyle offers Australian dishes in Huntingdon County with her food truck. Photo: Provided.

Australian native Joanne Coyle is bringing her Australian heritage to Huntingdon County with The Tuckerbox, offering authentic Aussie food to central PA. One thing is for sure, the locals are loving it!

Coyle met her husband on a chance encounter in the Dallas airport and relocated to the United States and eventually to Huntingdon. “I moved here in the middle of Covid. I really had no intention of leaving Australia, but you really have no idea where this life might take you,” she said.

Starting a business in a foreign country was quite different and brought its own set of struggles and unknowns. Fortunately, Startup Alleghenies coach Christa McGeary helped Coyle to navigate the process. “Christa was beyond wonderful. She really supported me and offered advice that I didn’t even know I needed because it is so different here than it is in Australia,” she said.

McGeary added, “Jo really stands out. She offers an incredibly unique experience for our area. The culture and deliciousness added into her menu is something to be experienced.”

Photo: Provided.

“Meat pies, sausage rolls, Lamingtons and coffee the Australian way are just a few of the menu items that people went crazy for. In Australia we add ice cream to our ice coffee—as you can imagine, people poured in to try it,” Coyle said.

High quality products are part of her success… the other is, well, her accent. “People love my accent. They don’t always realize I am truly from Australia until I speak. What we offer is different—tasty food, good drinks the Aussie way—a combination of it all makes it an interesting experience,” she shared.

“Coach Christa McGeary was beyond wonderful. She really supported me and offered advice that I didn’t even know I needed.”

One thing that business owners consistently report across the Alleghenies is strong support from the community. The Tuckerbox is no different. “I am completely shocked by the support of the community. It is the best part of what I do. I get to meet so many people and I have regulars that will show up no matter where I am to support me. I am overwhelmed and forever grateful for it. The people here are amazing, and I am working to give back to the community that has welcomed me with open arms,” Coyle said.

Coyle said she is really excited about what’s next. “We are teaming up with a Martin’s Garden Center and Spring Ridge Farms. We will be turning the greenhouses into a winter wonderland. There will be fire pits, sleigh rides, a Christmas market and, of course, delectable, Aussie food from the Tuckerbox. It will be such a one-of-a-kind experience for our community,” she shared.

Startup Alleghenies helps startup and emerging small businesses succeed by providing free coaching to entrepreneurs in Bedford, Blair, Cambria, Fulton, Huntingdon and Somerset counties. To access personal, one-on-one support from a coach in your county, including guidance, resources, tools and networking opportunities, sign up at startupalleghenies.com.