Summer Guide Spotlight: Sage Against the Machine

With a love for the band Rage Against the Machine representing change to be made in the world, and the motivation to provide a community with clean, sustainable & plant-based meals, Tara Folenius & Nate Johnson found themselves building a business that was soon to become one of the most well-known & popular food trucks in Whatcom County.

Tara moved to Bellingham, WA from Wichita, KS and shortly after arriving, met Nate. Wichita has a plethora of plant-based and vegan-friendly options for residents, and Tara wanted to bring that same accessibility to our community, as well as give back to organizations that work to advocate for animal rights and clean eating. In 2020 alone, they were able to donate over $1,400 to organizations such as Farm Haven Rescue, the Whatcom Humane Society, Bellingham Veg Fest, & Animals As Natural Therapy.

While eating breakfast at Bellingham’s Old Town Cafe, the pair filed for their business license. They drove to Billings, MT, where they obtained the infamous green truck, got back to Bellingham, and started hustling to make the dream a reality, and get married along the way before opening the food truck 6 months later. They worked hard to build up the business, often working 14-16 hour days before growing their team to include staff to handle more of the day-to-day. We can attest: the staff at Sage are amazing!

Sage started off at Stone’s Throw Brewery in Fairhaven, but since then have grown to rotate through locations around Bellingham.

From Menace Brewing on Meridian to Kulshan on James St, the truck is able to service all communities of Bellingham while also partnering with the locally crafted beers that are so iconic to Bellingham culture.

So at any point during the week, you could be 10 minutes or less from a “Not”cho Burger Bowl or a BBQ Jackfruit Sandwich to pair with a handcrafted Bellingham brew.

Sage Against the Machine was one of several businesses featured in our Live Bellingham Now: Summer Guide to Health & Wellness in the PNW. We also produced a video featuring Nate and Tara!

Sometimes there’s a stereotype that a plant-based diet lifestyle is tedious and unattainable. Tara & Nate not only prove that it’s doable, but so worth the payout. Just like any diet or lifestyle change one makes with their food, you always have an adjustment period to figure out your likes and dislikes, and what does or doesn’t work for you.

Luckily, SATM makes it easy to figure out what makes your taste buds dance and your stomach satisfied. And no bland combos either! Their menu features blends like buffalo chickpeas mixed with vegan caesar dressing and their house-made “no'' cheese queso sauce with red lentil chili.

Curious about your protein intake with their meals? Their Jackfruit Reuben and BBQ Burger will keep you sated & feeling good no matter what your day holds. Sage proudly provides plant-based protein options and the flavor that they season into the food to make it blend perfectly into a reliable and delicious palate. Their “chicken” is made from rehydrated soy curls and their “pulled pork” is shredded jackfruit, both of which easily adopt the flavors of the spices and other ingredients included in their respective dishes.

When ordering at Sage, you should know that they take their dedication to sustainability to the highest level possible. Every single element of what you order is 100% compostable. Take out bags are recycled paper bags from local grocery stores, utensils are made from wood -even the to-go containers are sustainable!

Plus, are you a fan of their house-made cilantro lime or curry sauces? You can buy any of their dressings & sauces to take home (which they bottle & package themselves). I mean, that buffalo ranch sauce? Talk about a winner! 90% of SATM's clientele aren’t practicing veganism, further cementing their passion for welcoming everyone to enjoy clean & plant-based eating - regardless of their regular diet.

3 years later, the duo is working hard on the opening of their soon to be brick and mortar location downtown; V GO’s. V GO’s, short for “vegans on the go” will serve as Bellingham’s one-stop-shop grocery and mercantile for all-vegan products, as well serve as a commissary kitchen for the food truck & on-the-go deli for those wanting to snag a pound of Buffalo Chickpea-Caesar Mac or SW Chipotle Nachos to go. This store will be located downtown, across from the Hotel Leo on Cornwall and Holly.

You can still support their fundraising efforts on their GoFundMe page or by liking the new Facebook page for V GO’s, which you can find at /vegansonthego360.

Get to know Sage Against the Machine:

Website

Facebook

Instagram

Getting an inside look at this business and the people behind it was an absolute blast. Their passion for food and community shows in everything they do and we can’t wait to see all the future success that the truck and store will have; so be sure to swing by and have a bowl or wrap for us! - Taylor