Cranston Public Schools (CPS) announced Dec. 21 that the district has been chosen to be one of 13 districts associated with the Menu for Success Food Truck initiative. Through the grant initiative that presented itself via the MBE (Minority Business Enterprises) working group, the district’s Cranston Area Career and Technical Center (CACTC) will receive a brand new food truck that will be operationalized by students and provide an opportunity for collaboration between several of our CTE (Career and Technical Education) programs.

According to CACTC Director Ken Hopkins Jr., the cross-curricular collaboration will drive the success of the initiative.

“Whether it’s determining and creating our food truck cuisine through our Culinary program, designing a marketing plan through our Entrepreneurship program, wrapping the truck in a fun design from our Graphic Communications program, or online advertising through our Interactive Digital Media program, Cranston’s students will be in the driver’s seat for this innovative venture offered by RIDE [Rhode Island Department of Education],” Hopkins said. “Additionally, we look forward to embracing the spirit of competition in the first Food Truck cookoff that will occur at next year’s educator WaterFire event, whereby all 12 of the district food truck recipients will be participating.”

According to RIDE, this $1.625 million initiative from the School Building Authority Capital Fund will also “benefit communities at large by providing internship and job opportunities, concessions at games and work sites, presence at community events, fundraising and community service opportunities and more.”

RIDE’s Menu of Success presentation to the Council on Elementary and Secondary Education on Dec. 20 showed that in 2020, RI’s food service sector accounted for over 75,000 jobs and $4.2 billion in sales. RIDE noted that the state lags in creating opportunities for Latinos and other people of color to own and operate restaurants. The presentation stated that only 2 percent of Rhode Island’s 14,000 restaurants are owned by people of color; therefore, creating opportunity is essential.

Superintendent Jeannine Nota-Masse expressed excitement for the district’s newest opportunity to provide CPS students with real life, authentic learning opportunities and experiences that will benefit them beyond high school.

“We are grateful for opportunities to expand our students’ learning, especially through CTE programs,” she said. “This is an exciting way for our students to gain real-world experience with an innovative business model.”

Hopkins noted that this opportunity will provide a connection for CPS students with other food truck restaurateurs statewide.

“We look forward to sharing the entrepreneurial spirit with our students, and joining a vibrant community of food trucks currently in operation in Rhode Island,” he said. “Be sure to be on the lookout for more CPS Food Truck information as we progress to the end of the school year. We’ll be sure to have it at our favorite community and school events!”

Other participating districts include Central Falls, Chariho, Coventry, Davies Career & Technical High School, East Providence, Lincoln, Newport, Pawtucket, Providence, Warwick, Westerly and Woonsocket.

For more information about the food truck initiative, visit ride.ri.gov/FundingFinance/SchoolBuildingAuthority/MenuforSuccessFoodTruckInitiative.aspx.