（Belgian French Fries）
ポーランド
ul. Bulwarowa 41, Kraków, Poland
Bieńczyce Zalew Nowohucki
Food truck, the same organization's restaurant is Społeczna Kaffka Sporcina Kask (article)
It seems that one of the Belgian Fries chain store s, founded in 2013 in Krakow, Poland with about a dozen locations as of 2023, is supported by an association of parents with Down syndrome in the same town to operate the food truck store.
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Airticle in Polish
The best French fries are made by a staff member with Down syndrome November 2020 Blog o Krakowie Frytki Belgiczne (Belgian fries) is one of the most famous food trucks in the city of Krakow, Poland. Frytki Belgiczne is an initiative of Społeczna 21 aimed at the professional development of staff with Down syndrome. Społeczna 21 is a non-profit organization that uses its profits to support the rehabilitation of its employees. Many people first learned about this place in August of this year, when the crew of the TV show "Down the Road" came to Zaleunowdski Park. The show was about six young people with Down syndrome. One of the main characters of this program was Agnieszka, a staff member and founding member of Kitchen Car. In addition to her work on the show, she shows that young people with Down syndrome don't have to be housebound. Although she would like to work full time, she doesn't actually work full time and she feels that her work day is always too short for her. She broke down once and when her doctor told her to rest, she burst into tears. Is this how people normally react when they hear that she has to take time off work due to illness? This was probably the first time in his life that the doctor who diagnosed him had such a reaction. Agnieszka and her mother first attended Rainbow Society, a group for parents and friends of people with Down syndrome in Krakow, when she was very young. For more than 20 years, its members have organized extracurricular activities and trips, created gathering spaces for families, and, above all, fought for better education, rehabilitation, work opportunities, and independent, good living. Today's Kitchen Car staff was raised with a sense of fulfillment, meaning, and motivation for a better life. That doesn't mean the transition from school to work was easy. For example, they went to school by bus, but no one would take them to work, so they had to go there themselves. However, they were able to keep this business going for over a year. Of the five employees, four have known each other since their student days. One of their school teachers realized that there was a potential for a career in the catering industry. This realization came from coming to school all day long and cooking and eating the food we were given as part of our classes. We also thought that one of the attractions was that they could immediately feel that their efforts would bring about real benefits in the form of food. As non-profit and school alumni, they were looking for something to do with their adult lives. They themselves thought that since they had both working parents at home, they too had to earn their own money. On the contrary, it was the parents who had to reassure their grown children that they could actually get by. They like customers the most. For six months, they were preparing to work on their first kitchen car in Krakow. “It was great that the staff had access to training,” says Agnieszka's mother. ``Can you tell me what kind of job you do?'' she asked Mr. Bartek, who was preparing fries for me. "I put the fries in the fryer and fry them. I fold the box and pack it. I put some sauce on it and wait a few minutes. I love selling fries." Tablets and terminals for payments are no problem either. He answered as he operated. There is nothing wrong with talking to customers. In particular, like Agnieszka, Bartek already has experience working in TV reporting. They have also been rehearsing with their school drama group for years. "People with Down syndrome tend to have a positive side, and their strengths are that they are sociable, open, and have a strong desire to be around people. Of course, facing strangers every day can be a bit of a challenge. But they overcame it brilliantly every day,” Grazina explains. Working at a french fry shop has led to them learning a great sense of responsibility and duty. Don't quit just because you're tired or in a bad mood (except in exceptional circumstances, of course). That's why supporting staff members feel a little sad when customers treat them like children. “Sometimes I get calls from customers with questions. Seeing the growth of our staff every day makes me realize that all our efforts here are not in vain, and in fact, we are constantly growing. "I feel fulfilled and, thanks to my colleagues, I don't get tired of this job at all. There should be more places like this in Krakow," he adds. . Grazyna agrees: "You can count on the fingers of both hands the number of people with Down syndrome who are working as professionals in Kraków. After graduating from school, they don't have to stay at home. All the hard work they put in in school goes to waste. It's not easy to succeed professionally, but it's not impossible. 'We're a team.' Dalek's day job is training as a construction engineer. I realized my talent for working with people with disabilities. He specializes in garden therapy. He is taking a medical caregiver course. ``I hope his passion continues for many years to come!'' Grazina hopes. As with everywhere, there were also small crises. For example, one of my staff members wanted to quit his job. It was a surprise for a close-knit team. But they talked to each other, supported each other, and found a solution. When Bartek had doubts, he turned to his friend for help. “We are a team!” he emphasizes. Another crisis is the spring lockdown. It's not about the financial loss, it's about how difficult it was for staff with Down syndrome to be suddenly isolated from people, especially each other. In particular, they had just started organizing events in Krakow and a New Year's Eve food cart stall on Podgurski Market Square. "Most of our customers come to our store knowing it's a special place, so we understand that sometimes it takes a little longer." When Bartek blurted out that we were rooting for a different team than the one we were standing in, they understood. We're rooting for another team,' he said.'' Dallek recalled. They plan to introduce sweet potato fries and stews before the upcoming winter season. The company has also been involved in the production of custom-made handicrafts for some time. They have already created things such as the Obwarzanek Museum and equipment for the city's water system. “I hope someday we can hold events like the ``Down the Road'' fan gathering here again, including workshops, activities, and social gatherings over food. I believe it. ” Grazina concluded.
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