Food Truck Apprenticeship Program

Program Overview

Food Hero’s Food Truck Apprenticeship Program is a paid, hands-on workforce training program that prepares participants for food truck ownership and culinary careers across the food service industry.

Students will begin their training with a mix of hybrid classroom work and hands-on food truck training. Partner food trucks serve as mobile classrooms where apprentices complete 8-12 months of paid, real-world training.

Who This Program Is For

• • Aspiring food truck owners
• • Veterans transitioning to civilian careers
• • Career changers seeking purpose-driven work
• • Individuals facing economic barriers
• • Community members passionate about food and entrepreneurship

What Participants Learn

Culinary Training: Food safety (ServSafe Manager), knife skills, cooking techniques, high-volume mobile kitchen operations.

Business & Entrepreneurship: Food truck operations, budgeting, pricing, marketing, branding, permits.

Professional Skills: Communication, teamwork, customer service, leadership, resilience.

Where & When

Location

Part 1: Remote + Food Hero facilities: Hybrid culinary training throughout the 8-12 month program

Part 2: Partner Food Trucks: Required full-time work (hours based on apprentice’s experience) on the food trucks for paid training.

Duration

8-12 months, full-time. The total duration of the program is determined on a case-by-case basis, based on the Apprentice’s previous applicable experience. Apprentices can gain program credits for things such as, but not limited to, past culinary school, BOH work or catering, food manufacturing, food entrepreneurship, or Food Hero culinary programs.

Credentials Earned

• • U.S. Department of Labor Registered Apprenticeship Certificate
• • ServSafe Manager Certification
• • Complete, lender-ready business plan
• • Paid, documented work experience

Why Food Hero

Food Hero created this program to expand access to paid workforce training, create pathways to business ownership and stable employment, and strengthen local food economies through food-centered careers.

How the Program Works

• 1. Early apply now
• 2. Once program dates are set, qualified applicants will be invited to a Zoom interview
• 3. Selected applicants will be accepted into the program
• 4. Programming expected to start in Spring 2026
• 5. Graduate approximately one year later, with credentials and ongoing support