TAYLOR STEWART
PITCHIN’ BERRIES
A Meal on Wheels You’ll Never Forget
story by ERIN WALLACE photos by CHARLOTTE BERKELEY
If you are not originally from Beaufort and you’ve moved here, that often means you are part of the military. It’s one of the things that makes our town so unique. Beaufort could be likened to that of a current in the ocean. Sea creatures follow ocean currents to and from their feeding and breeding grounds, and currents are part of their lifelong journey. Like ocean species, many Marines, one way or another, ride through the current of our lovely Lowcountry, and our town is only better for these new faces it brings annually. It wouldn’t be Beaufort without Parris Island and vice versa. Though there is one Marine family that has made their journey into these parts memorable, and this military spouse has a darling food truck to boot!
Taylor Stewart is the owner of Pitchin’ Berries! You heard that right, a year-round food truck that is literally pitching all sorts of fruit into acai bowls with sorbet and other mouth-watering goodness. She truly is a living example of blooming wherever you are planted. Taylor is a military spouse of her husband, Riley, a drill instructor for the Marines, and mom of two amazing little girls, Teagan and Paisyn (and currently pregnant with a boy). She has been excited to serve amazing healthy food to our community since the moment her business was thought of in her mind, and the rapid success of the business (which has only been up and running since May 2022) speaks for itself!
The unique and catchy name of the food truck, Pitchin’ Berries, is all thanks to Taylor’s softball-loving self, a sport she played growing up and a family favorite. That being said, it has been pure joy for Taylor to see her girls come to love the sport as much as she does. Almost as soon as she thought of the idea for this traveling business on wheels, the unforgettable name came soon after with their striking catchphrase: “Superfoods from our mitt to yours.” Although the Stewart family loves softball, their passion for exercise and eating healthy is also right up there. For instance, Taylor and her husband regularly work out together, which is incredible that they can find the time to do so since they are full-time parents and workers?! You go, Stewarts!
It is no exaggeration to say that Beaufort folks come from far and wide to obtain these delicious acai bowls. Taylor assured me that this recipe is top secret and for a good reason: it is truly one of a kind. Lucky for us, Taylor’s next goal foodwise is to start making protein smoothies on the truck: stay tuned! Taylor’s truck is most often located at Food Truck Court on 475 Parris Island Gateway. In fact, Taylor’s truck was one of the first few trucks to initially establish the court. Ever since the court was started, the food truck population has grown, and thank goodness for that! And if you were wondering, Pitchin’ Berries can be rented out for events and businesses. All one has to do is reach out to her on Facebook or Instagram through direct message.
Now let’s talk about the hardworking woman behind the bowls and wheel. Originally from Bristol, Virginia, Taylor is no stranger to the South! Also, she’s definitely no stranger to resiliency as she became a mom at 18, a role that Taylor proudly fills as her kids and a little one on the way are her pride and joy. Before her husband joined the Marines, Taylor was a dental assistant. Though not long after, she found her way into the Lowcountry in 2020 after the first leg of their Marine voyage (10 years now in total) in North Carolina.
There, Taylor originally envisioned the idea for the food truck, and once she realized it was something she wanted to try out, her dreams quickly turned to action. So, Taylor presented the idea to her parents and husband, and together the four of them brought this dream to life. Running this business hasn’t been a cakewalk but has been a blessing the family never knew they needed. This is a team effort that Beaufort is beyond grateful for.
When asking Taylor what her favorite part of her job is, she had a lot to say: “I enjoy being able to do what I love but also be present for my kids when they need me and not miss any activities they have.” Additionally, Taylor thoroughly enjoys meeting her customers at the truck when they stop by for the irresistible acai bowls. But she also finds it extremely special when those same customers turn into regulars — and, better yet, turn into friends. Wanting to get the whole picture, I asked Taylor what her least favorite part of the gig was, and she said, “The worst part, if there even is one, is the weight of feeling guilty if I’m not open or can’t make it to an event that sneaks up at times.” Because to Taylor, it feels like she’s let people down, which is the last thing she would ever want this town to experience.
This food truck couldn’t have come to a more perfect place. Those who make up this town know that we live where tourists vacation. It’s a place that’s often warmer than not, so acai bowls hit just right. A chilled bite to cool off from the sweltering sun and fresh fruit combine tasty and healthy like a splendid melody you can’t seem to get off your palate. You know where to find Taylor Stewart this summer! Not only do we have a wonderful business, like Pitchin’ Berries, driving around concocting yogurt goodness, but we also have a woman who will do her very best to make others happy because it is more than just a job. Instead, for Taylor, it’s a passion that excites her to do it all over again the next day — every time. Now do yourself a favor and run to the food court. Taylor’s smile will be the first thing you see.
