Latest issueThe Rays' World Series run brought an estimated $40 million to PinellasRead now

5AM St. PetersburgSubscribe — it’s free

← St. Petersburg news

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

ShareEmailFacebookX

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

Read it in the full edition

More from Wednesday’s edition

Read the edition
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

More business from local newsrooms

All business news

  1. St Pete Catalyst20 hours ago

    Developer making plans for Wagon Wheel Flea Market property

    Belleair Development Group is under contract to purchase the site, which totals 156 mostly-undeveloped acres.

    Also reported bySt Pete Rising

  2. St Pete Catalyst22 hours ago

    St. Pete greenlights disputed Chick-fil-A expansion

    The operator wants to rebuild the existing restaurant on a larger site with expanded parking and drive-thru capacity.

  3. Business ObserverYesterday

    Developer closes on purchase of former St. Pete police HQ

    With the deal now done, construction can begin on a St. Petersburg mixed-use development that includes an office tower and hotel.

  4. FOX 13 Tampa BayNov. 6

    A new exhibit opening at the Dali Museum

    The Dali Museum and the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston are collaborating on a new exhibit opening November 7th in St. Petersburg. FOX 13 photojournalist Travis Anthony takes us for a look.