Disney World's First Black-Owned Food Truck Is Bringing Delicious Vegan, Vegetarian And Pescatarian Fare From ATL To Orlando
Robyn Wallace, co-founder of Local Green, shares how she plans to combat underlying health issues within the Black community brought on by food deserts through her business.
Disney World’s first Black-owned food truck is bringing healthy food alternatives to the iconic amusement park, showing thrill-seekers that you don’t have to sacrifice great flavor for healthy fare.
In March of 2022, Local Green — a fast-casual restaurant based in Atlanta that provides gourmet, healthy, and affordable food options, made history as the park’s first Black-owned food truck. It’s part of the new Disney Springs dining, shopping and entertainment part of Disney World.
Co-founded by husband and wife duo Zak and Robyn Wallace of West Atlanta, Local Green offers vegan, vegetarian, and pescatarian dishes that serve as an introduction to plant-based foods. The menu speaks to the Black culinary palate, while still being good for the body.
Prior to stepping into her path as a restauranteur, Robyn was a data scientist for the Centers for Disease Control studying chronic health issues and the impact that food habits had on small communities, particularly those affected by food deserts.
Inspired by the desire to combat such conditions, which disproportionately impact Black communities, she combined her 20 years of experience in population health to provide food alternatives that could make a difference.
“And that’s not only because of my research, but that’s also because of what we experienced ourselves with death in our own families,” she tells ESSENCE. “That was really the thinking behind building out the recipes and the menu to address those needs.”
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“We started seeing how everyone around us was dying at an early age; we had friends dying in their 50s and aunts that were dying in their 60s,” she adds. “But when we moved to the suburbs, we saw the difference. We saw neighbors who were sprinting up the street who were in their 70s and we also saw that there was a difference in what they were eating and what types of food they had access to that surrounded those communities.”
The difference she spotted was that going just 10 minutes outside of their predominately Black neighborhood highlighted the disparity in having proper access to healthy food selections from grocery stores to restaurants. That was how Local Green was born. Now the brick and mortar business is getting the food truck treatment to take its mission outside of Atlanta all the way to Orlando.
Photo Credit: Aley Arion/Essence
The menu items pays homage to the couple’s shared love for music and Zak’s time working within the Atlanta music scene with names like, “Oh Boy,” a classic vegan cheeseburger, the “Monsta” shrimp burger, and the popular “Rappers Delight,” which is a pescatarian take on the classic Philly cheesesteak.
“The pinnacles of our business are to support the community, but it’s the culture too. And culture for us is music,” she says. “It’s reflected on the menu item names and we just want to be able to give the community that energy.”
For Robyn and Zak, the draw to serve their community and now, their new home at Disney Springs, is more than a vocation, it’s their purpose.
“It really is a calling to be able to save lives in communities where they don’t have access to healthy food; so being here is a way for us to spread that mission,” she says. “The motive behind this was to make sure that people had access to something that they didn’t [before]. Being the first Black food truck and first Black woman restauranteur at Walt Disney is mind-blowing. And for me, it’s just the starting point. There’s so much more we can do.”
The greatest of love stories can start as friendships.
When Austyn, a dancer, choreographer, artist and daughter of Grammy-winning gospel artist Tye Tribbett, first laid eyes on Kaleb, a drummer and rapper, it was in 2017. Both parties had participated in a Wednesday night Bible Study at her father’s Live Church in Orlando. Aiming to welcome Kaleb to the group, Austyn approached. “I walked up to him afterward and was surprised and excited that he already knew my name,” she recalls. “From there, everything just felt so natural.”
With their older siblings already close, Austyn and Kaleb began to spend time together often, but only as friends. He became a drummer for Tribbett’s church and his official drummer on tour, of which Austyn was also a part. Despite their connection being “easy and effortless,” according to her, the two didn’t look at one another through a romantic lens out of fear of running a great friendship. That was a surprise to everyone around them who witnessed their chemistry.
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“From the very beginning, everyone around us could see what we couldn’t—they just knew we were meant to be together,” she recalls. “They were patiently waiting for us to stop being so stubborn and take the leap.”
As with most things, sometimes it takes going through valleys, and having the support of someone you care about, for it to become evident that they’re something special. As they leaned on one another to get through life’s challenges, including loss, their bond became stronger. “Once we realized that, we knew we didn’t want to waste any more time,” Austyn says. That realization didn’t come until December of 2023. Still, when it came, it brought with it so much clarity that just nine months after finally beginning an actual relationship, Kaleb decided to propose. Even though he planned something elaborate, he simply asked for her hand during a thought-provoking discussion that came about after a moment with God. Divine timing, if you will.
“I proposed spontaneously because the moment just felt perfect,” Kaleb says. “We were having a deep and meaningful conversation, and I knew it would mean more to her than a grand, public proposal.”
She said yes, of course, and the two began to plan for their big day, which finally came on December 12, 2024.
The couple tied the knot at her father’s lakefront property, in the sprawling backyard. The celebration was an intimate one, with the attendance of close friends and family, including Pastor John Gray and Kirk Franklin, whom Austyn calls “Uncle Kirk.”
With her favorite red roses all over the backyard and the support of their loved ones, the couple took yet another significant leap of love, this time into forever. “I’m excited to see how our love continues to grow with each new milestone,” Austyn says. “This wedding was a beautiful turning point, allowing us to see new sides of each other and deepening our connection.”
Check out all the beauty for yourself in this week’s Bridal Bliss, which includes another sweet Behind Bridal Bliss video in which the couple recounts their love story.
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In Her Element
Austyn finishes up her bridal glam as she prepares for the ceremony.
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Suited and Booted for Love
A dapper Kaleb also puts the finishing touches on his look as he waits to jump the broom.
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In Full Bloom
An image of the decor at the altar that awaited the couple. “Red roses are my favorite flower, and they’re the same flowers Kaleb used when he proposed to me,” Austyn says.
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A Blushing Bride
A mother’s love? It’s the perfect finishing touch. Austyn is pictured with her mom, Shante’.
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A Proud Papa
Austyn’s dad, music legend Tye Tribbett, got emotional as he caught sight of his not-so-little girl, ready to walk down the aisle.
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A Father’s Blessing
The first man she ever loved, leading her to the man she’ll love forever.
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Happy Tears
“Having everyone come together to celebrate the love and commitment Kaleb and I share truly moved me,” Austyn says. “But the moment that will forever be etched in my heart was seeing Kaleb tear up at the altar. That image is something I’ll never forget!”
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Here Comes the Bride
“Seeing my wife walk down the aisle was indescribable,” Kaleb says. “She looked absolutely stunning in that dress—it was perfect for her! I was so excited to see her after being apart all day.” He also counts having his brother and father present, the latter a cancer survivor, as moments he cherishes.
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United as One
In addition to a unity sand ceremony, Austyn and Kaleb lit a candle together to signify the two parties coming together. The candle read, “And the two shall become one,” from Ephesians 5:31.
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How Austyn Knew She’d Found Her Person
I knew Kaleb was my person because this feels safe—it feels like home,” she says. “With him, I can fully be myself and embrace everything I’m meant to be. Being in this space has allowed me to love myself more deeply and, in turn, love the people around me even better.”
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You May Kiss the Bride
And with that, the couple were introduced as husband and wife — the Lucketts.
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How Kaleb Knew He’d Found His Person
“Being with Austyn has transformed me in so many ways—I’ve grown as a man because of her,” he says. “When I leave her presence, I don’t carry guilt or shame like I did in the past. Every moment with her feels right, effortless, and grounded in something real. Unlike past relationships that were rooted in shared pain or trauma, loving her is freeing. It’s pure.”
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A Silent Promise
“Over the course of our friendship, we supported each other through so much—moments of loss, challenges to our faith, and countless ups and downs,” the bride says. “Through it all, one thing became clear: No matter what life threw at us, our love and respect for each other only grew stronger.”
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We Are Family
The couple, with their parents and siblings after the ceremony. Recalling the excitement the family had when they became engaged, Austyn says, “My parents were thrilled to see us take this next step and mature into this decision together. But when we finally set a wedding date and started sharing details, that’s when it really hit them—it became real, and their excitement grew even more! My dad, especially, was overjoyed because Kaleb has been like a son to him since the day they met back in 2018.”
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Together, We Shine
Austyn poses with her tribe, radiant in red, as Mrs. Luckett.
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Special Guests
Some big names were invited to the wedding, including Pastor John Gray and Kirk Franklin. “I’ve known Uncle Kirk since I was a baby, and our families have always been there for each other during special moments,” says Austyn.
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The Table Is Set
With the idea of red roses in mind, the tables were decked out with these floral centerpieces, red plates and napkins, gold flatware and black and gold tablecloths.
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A Cake As Beautiful As the Day
In step with the decor, Austyn and Kaleb’s tiered cake incorporated red roses, as well as gold and black accents.
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The First Dance
The couple take a spin on the dance floor to begin the reception fun.
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Daddy-Daughter Moment
Austyn and her dad (who enjoyed an outfit change that embraced the red, black and gold color scheme), share a hug as they took to the dance floor.
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A Celebratory Speech
Speaking to her bond with Franklin, seen here giving a speech, Austyn says, “During The Reunion Tour in 2023, Uncle Kirk and I grew especially close. In fact, we even went viral together a few times—it was such a memorable experience!”
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What the Future Holds
In addition to seeing the ways in which their connection deepens as husband and wife, Austyn says, “We’re also looking forward to creating and sharing more of our music together, and watching our artistry evolve along with our love.”