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Small BusinessWednesday, November 4

St. Petersburg has opened a food truck academy for aspiring entrepreneurs

The 5AM St. Petersburg teamFrom Wednesday’s edition · 1 min read · 2 sources

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If you've dreamed of running a food truck, St. Pete now has a class for that. The city paid $65,000 for the academy, which Council Member Deborah Figgs Sanders calls the first of its kind. Students get classroom instruction and hands-on practice, and Bay News 9 reports each one competed in a supermarket-sweep-style contest for money to buy supplies.

$65,000paid by the city for the food truck academy

Saturday Shoppes owner Renee Edwards runs the program.

Source: Q105

Graduates leave with the right licenses and training, including how to prevent fires and other accidents. The city teamed up with groups such as the fire department for those safety lessons.

  • Startup money: graduates "should have" $10,000 to $15,000, Edwards said
  • Next class: begins in March
  • Apply: saturdayshoppes.com; a waiting list is open

10 to 12times students work on an actual food truck at events

Edwards said she saw the need while working with vendors at her outdoor market.

Sources: Q105, Bay News 9

Sources: Q105, Bay News 9

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RaysThe Rays say another World Series run is within reach in 2027If you're still thinking about October, so are the Rays. Team president of baseball operations Erik Neander says another World Series run is within reach after a 98-win season that ended three wins short of the franchise's first title. The Rays picked up their option on starter Drew Rasmussen, a two-time All-Star, and the Tampa Bay Times reports the team has "every intention right now" of keeping him.Wednesday’s editionRead

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