City Launches Food Truck Academy for Entrepreneurs
St. Petersburg's city-funded program trains aspiring owners through hands-on work on an actual food truck.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Openings & Closings
Live Poll
Should your city fund programs that help small business owners start food trucks?
The City of St. Petersburg launched a food truck academy for small business owners, funded for $65,000 and run by Saturday Shoppes owner Renee Edwards. Participants compete in a supermarket sweeps-style contest for monetary prizes that can be used to start food truck businesses.
Why it matters
Edwards saw the need for the classes after working with vendors at her Saturday Shoppes outdoor market, where equipment was often set up and displayed incorrectly. The program aims to give St. Petersburg entrepreneurs practical skills before they invest in their own trucks.
The city committed $65,000 to the academy, and graduates should have between $10,000 and $15,000 to purchase their own food truck. Participants work on an actual truck 10 to 12 times at different events before graduating.
The players
Renee Edwards
Edwards is the owner of Saturday Shoppes who runs the food truck academy and hopes to expand the program to other areas.
Deborah Figgs Sanders
Figgs Sanders is a St. Petersburg City Council member who said the council approved the program.
The details
Participants compete in a supermarket sweeps-style contest to win monetary prizes that can be applied toward starting a food truck business. The city partnered with organizations including the fire department to cover the safety element of the training.
Timeline
Food trucks increased in number in St. Petersburg, especially during Covid, about seven years before the program's launch.
The next program cohort launches in March 2027 and already has a waiting list.
Market Landscape
Food truck numbers grew sharply during Covid, creating a larger pool of vendors competing for customers and event spots. The academy positions prospective owners to enter that crowded field with hands-on skills rather than learning on their own investment.
Aspiring food truck owners in St. Petersburg can apply to the program and gain hands-on experience before buying a truck. Graduates should plan for $10,000 to $15,000 in startup funds to purchase their own vehicle.
The takeaway
Hands-on training on a working truck can help new food truck owners avoid costly setup mistakes before investing in their own business. Prospective entrepreneurs should budget for the vehicle and plan ahead, since the next cohort already has a waiting list.
What happens next
The next cohort launches in March 2027 and has a waiting list.
Further reading
Explore more Openings & Closings news for St. Petersburg.
More information
Apply through the Saturday Shoppes food truck academy application page.
Live Poll
Should your city fund programs that help small business owners start food trucks?
