DeKalb culinary students can sharpen skills with food truck program

The latest: The DeKalb County School District is the ninth school system in the country to unveil the Intuit Food Truck Program, gives students firsthand experience of entrepreneurship.

• Erin Moos, Intuit's head of strategic philanthropy, told Axios the program helps students understand what it takes to turn their ideas into a business.
• "Gen Z students are incredibly entrepreneurial and purpose-minded," she said, "so it was something that we developed as a company to help put tools into the hands of students."
• Since the program began in 2023, more than 15,000 students across the country have participated, Intuit said.

What they're saying: Interim Superintendent Norman Sauce III said the Rolling Flavors of DeKalb food truck is an example of the district "aligning education with... real-world industry expectations and real-world practical business partnerships."

Zoom in: Keio Gayden, instructional coordinator of the district's Career, Technical and Agricultural Education program, oversees the district's 12 culinary programs.

• Gayden said students from each of the programs will rotate in running and managing the food truck.

• Students will be able to sell the food they make to district staff, and the proceeds will go back into the culinary program, said Gayden, who is also a chef.

The big picture: Janelle Compton, a 17-year-old Southwest DeKalb High School student, told Axios she joined her school's culinary program because she likes to cook and enjoys working in a team environment.

• She said she's excited about the food truck experience because it'll give her a chance to improve her craft.
• "It's a skill that you need your whole life," she said of cooking.