Exchange Opens First Food Truck in Poland, Bringing a Taste of Home

POWIDZ, POLAND — In a significant step toward enhancing Quality of Life for service members stationed at remote locations, the Army & Air Force Exchange Service celebrated the grand opening of its first food truck in Poland.

The Spudz food truck, now serving at Powidz Air Base, symbolizes more than just a new dining option. It represents the Exchange’s commitment to supporting troops wherever they serve, including at the tip of the spear.

Developed in close coordination between the Grafenwoehr Services team, the Real Estate Directorateand contracting, the Spudz launch marks a successful proof of concept for bringing flexible, on-the-ground food services to emerging locations. The mobile eatery offers comforting favorites and healthier options, including sandwiches, pita wraps, rice bowls, salads and breakfast items, all designed to meet the evolving needs of the military community. Their collective efforts reflect the Exchange’s unwavering commitment to serving those who serve, even in the most logistically challenging and forward-deployed environments.

“This is a great example of how the Exchange adapts to meet the mission,” said Col. Everett (Bud) Lacroix, commander of the Exchange’s Europe, Southwest Asia and Africa Region. “By bringing familiar food options closer to where our service members live and work, especially in remote or forward-deployed environments, we’re directly improving their daily quality of life. Spudz is more than a food truck, it’s a morale boost.”

Service members on Powidz Air Base check out Spudz, the first food truck opened by the Army & Air Force Exchange Service—marking a significant step toward enhancing the Quality of Life for service members stationed at remote locations.

The success of Spudz highlights the importance of placing troop needs at the center of operational planning and innovation.

“Bringing a food truck to a remote area transforms not just the dining experience, but also the community, offering a taste of comfort, connection and convenience in places where choices are limited,” said Alex Mamaril, General Manager of the Grafenwoehr/Poland Consolidated Exchange. “The launch of Spudz in Powidz is a testament to the team’s creativity and determination to make a tangible difference in the lives of those serving far from home.”

That commitment to service and innovation continues to drive new initiatives across the Exchange’s global footprint.

“This opening is a great moment for the entire Exchange family,” said Denise Hunter, Senior Vice President of the Exchange’s Services & Food Directorate. “Spudz shows that we can meet our service members where they are, with quality, care and consistency. This is what it means to bring a taste of home to the front lines.”

Spudz is the latest example of how the Exchange adapts to meet service members’ evolving needs through teamwork, flexibility and a people-first mindset.

Spudz joins a growing fleet of Exchange-operated food trucks worldwide that support both Quality-of-Life initiatives and entrepreneurial opportunities. The program also reflects the Exchange’s commitment to partnering with small, minority, women and veteran-owned businesses, offering assorted, innovative solutions to meet the needs of military communities across the globe.

With its arrival in Poland, Spudz stands as a clear reminder: no matter how far from home our service members may be, the Exchange team is committed to delivering, wherever the mission takes them.