First High School Run Food Truck Coming to the SouthCoast

Food trucks are seen all over the SouthCoast, but so far none have been run by high school students. That, however, is about to change.

Thanks to funding from Bristol County Savings Bank, the Taunton High School Culinary Department has some exciting new things in the works.

Including the area's first high school run food truck.

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As Superintendent John Cabral told us, the truck has been purchased, the design is ready to go out to bid and the area's newest roving restaurant could be hitting the streets of Taunton by spring 2024.

The concept of a school run food truck isn't new to Massachusetts. Taunton High's Career and Technical Education Director Michael Raposa tells us schools in Billerica  and Franklin have them already.

But Raposa is pretty sure Taunton is the first school on the SouthCoast to start a food truck within their culinary department. He adds that they "are in the process of working with local vendors to construct a state-of-the-art truck with industry recognized equipment so [their] students are prepared to work in the fast-paced culinary industry."

That process is something the students are definitely a part of too.

Students are working out the food truck name (so far The Roaming Roar, Tiger Tastes, Tiger in Transit and Feeding Frenzy are among the contenders), they have the school's graphic design program working on the logo and of course students will have a say in menu options as well.

Food Truck Instructor, Chef John Collins adds that they hope "to represent all of the diverse cultures we have here in Taunton" through the menu which will have standard items plus some specialty items rotating on a weekly basis.

It all sounds pretty delicious and very exciting for the students who not only get to show off their cooking skills, but learn the ins and outs of running their own business as well.

It's just another way to "show the public Taunton High School does more than just prepare kids for college", according to Superintendent Cabral.

Though the food truck is still under construction for now, SouthCoast foodies can start looking for the potential "Roaming Roar" by at least spring 2024. That is the same time frame for the school restaurant's new outdoor dining area to debut as well.

Cabral tells us that new culinary department addition was funded by Bristol County Savings bank as well and should be open to the public next year.

Once the Taunton High food truck does debut, expect to see students cooking for school events, town festivals and out in the community during the school day.