Commissioner of Education Angélica Infante-Green | Rhode Island Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
Tickets are now available for the upcoming "Menu for Success" Student Food Truck Roundup, an event set to take place on May 3, 2025, from 12 to 3 p.m. at Crescent Park in East Providence. The announcement was made by Governor Dan McKee, Education Commissioner Angélica Infante-Green, East Providence Mayor Bob DaSilva, and the Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE). The event showcases culinary creations from student-run food trucks across Rhode Island, and participants will compete for the Governor’s Cup and Commissioner’s Belt awards.
Governor Dan McKee highlighted the initiative's benefits: "From entrepreneurial to culinary skills, we are once again excited to be giving Rhode Island students the real-world opportunities they need for success with the 'Menu for Success' Student Food Truck Initiative. We know that high-demand jobs include the food and business industries, and this initiative equips students with foundational knowledge needed to thrive in their academic and career journeys. We cannot wait to try all the creative dishes students will offer."
Education Commissioner Angélica Infante-Green expressed enthusiasm for the event: "After last year’s wonderful food truck roundup, we are thrilled to be providing this opportunity once again for our students to showcase their skills. RIDE is focused on expanding real-world, hands-on learning opportunities, and the 'Menu for Success' Initiative allows students to explore graphic design, entrepreneurship, culinary arts, and more. We invite everyone to come out to East Providence on May 3 to support our future chefs and restaurant owners!"
East Providence Mayor Bob DaSilva recalled his experience at the first roundup: "I had the pleasure of attending the inaugural Student Food Truck Roundup event at Lincoln High School last year, and when I saw the pride that the students took in the food they were creating for the visitors of the community, I immediately approached members of RIDE, including Education Commissioner Angélica Infante-Green, and suggested that East Providence and Crescent Park would be the ideal location for another one of these events. I am so happy to see that we are doing this in East Providence so that we can highlight the East Providence culinary program and all of the food trucks from across the state, at our beautiful Crescent Park."
The 'Menu for Success' initiative began in 2022, enabling local education agencies to operate food trucks as part of their culinary arts or Minority Business Incubator programs. Initial participants included various schools across Rhode Island, with the MET and Exeter-West Greenwich joining in 2023. Last year's roundup at Lincoln High School featured nine student-run food trucks, where Coventry Culinary Arts’ Oaker Eats food truck and Lincoln High School’s The Mane Event food truck won awards for their dishes.
Michael Grey, Chair of the Board of Education, commented on the initiative: "As a member of the business community, I am proud to once again be supporting students in their business and culinary career exploration through the 'Menu for Success' Student Food Truck Initiative. We look forward to sampling the creative dishes that all of the student chefs will make at the roundup and encourage all to join as well."
Patti DiCenso, Chair of the Council on Elementary and Secondary Education, praised the program: "We are proud to be supporting this initiative which launches high school students into potential careers in the food and business industry. The 'Menu for Success' program blends together the skills needed to succeed in these high-demand jobs, and we cannot wait to see all of the excellent work the students will do at the roundup."
RIDE continues to expand Career and Technical Education (CTE) offerings in the state, seeing nearly 30% growth since 2019. The CTE for All Grant Program recently awarded $2 million for workforce training programs. This year’s event receives support from the XQ Institute and the City of East Providence.
Tickets for the roundup can be purchased for $20 on the Crescent Park website, allowing attendees access to samples from five student-operated food trucks and a bottle of water. Additional details about the initiative are available on the RIDE website.
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