London food trailer first in Canada to be completely organic

Header image for Interrobang article CREDIT: CHRISTOPHER SANTANA-BARNES
Ivan Santana-Barnes, with husband Christopher, opened up a 100 per cent organic Mexican fusion food truck.

Ivan Santana-Barnes’ dream of owning a food trailer has at last come true with the opening of ivanopoblano. The trailer sits at the corner of Oxford and Stuart and offers 100 per cent organic cuisine; this is the first of its kind in Canada.

The organic food movement has existed for many years, but ivanopoblano’s approach really takes the idea of fully organic meals to heart. Everything the restaurant uses is certified organic and local whenever possible, right down to the distilled water they wash the vegetables with.

The level of commitment Santana- Barnes shows about serving completely organic food is quite refreshing. He makes a clear distinction between fresh organic foods and preserved organic foods that have been sitting on a shelf.

“I don’t open anything from a can. I make everything myself,” Santana-Barnes said.

The restaurant features Santana- Barnes’ own recipes, which he describes as Mexican fusion. The poblano pepper, native to Mexico, is used in all of his recipes. With the amount the pepper used, it’s no wonder it was worked into the name of the restaurant.

The recipes come naturally to Santana-Barnes, who has been cooking since he was 14. After moving out on his own, he had to learn how to cook for himself, a situation relatable to many students.

As the restaurant is certified organic and locally sourced, the limitation of what is in season provides some inspiration for his recipes.

Customers have been raving over the fare since the trailer opened for business on Aug. 12. They have been reliant on wordof- mouth advertisement so far, and it appears to be working. Santana- Barnes said he had a line-up of people on the weekend. “I love when people come here, they eat my food and they come back with a smile.”

The organic, fresh nature of the ingredients is definitely a contributing factor to the quality of the food.

“A lot of people, when they cook, use cheap ingredients. I use organic butter, olive oil; I use the best ingredients to cook,” Santana- Barnes said.

And if you’ve got a dietary restriction, ivanopoblano has you covered. Vegetarian, vegan, gluten- free and dairy-free options are all available. Santana-Barnes is up to the challenge of providing a delicious and healthy meal, regardless of restrictions.

“I just want people to be able to eat somewhere and I don’t mind creating something new for them,” Santana-Barnes said.

While Santana-Barnes has been living in Vancouver for the last 14 years, he’s always had the idea of opening a food trailer in London. He was attracted to both the lower operating costs compared to Vancouver as well as the unique architecture of the city.

“I love the people here, they are very honest. It reminds me a little bit of my city in Mexico, Guadalajara, in the way that it’s spread out.”

As close as it is to Fanshawe, about a 20-minute walk or a five-minute bus ride, delivery to Fanshawe is being planned for the future. Plans are also being made to utilize the mobility of the trailer and bring it to local festivals and even right to Fanshawe’s campus.

The truck is open 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. from Monday to Friday and 10 p.m. until 4 p.m. on Saturday at the corner of Oxford and Stuart.