Opelika Food Truck E1734019718459 — The food truck will be used to teach students at Opelika High School. (Opelika City Schools)

An old school bus from Florida is taking on a new role for students in east Alabama.

Tuesday, Opelika City Schools officially revealed a new food truck that will serve as a hands-on classroom for students in the high school’s Culinary Arts Program. Plus, it will be open to the public.

Keep reading to learn more about the program + how you can get a taste of the new food truck.

Culinary Arts Program

Opelika Food Truck 3 — The food truck will be made available to the public at times. (Opelika City Schools)

The food truck will help students learn how to cook in a different environment but the experience goes beyond just being a chef.

Operating the food truck will also allow students to gain experience with:

Creating business plans
Analyzing menu pricing
Managing equipment

“This innovative mobile classroom will provide students with hands-on culinary training, entrepreneurial experience, and the opportunity to serve the community.”
~ Opelika City Schools

Several school and community leaders were at Tuesday’s ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the school system’s big announcement.

“The passion and dedication these students have for culinary arts is truly inspiring, and we can’t wait to see all they will accomplish with this incredible new resource.”
~ Opelika Chamber

The food truck is expected to make its first appearance out in the wild Friday, Dec. 13, at Christmas in a Railroad Town in downtown Opelika. The truck is expected to get out to more events in 2025 and could be featured during Opelika’s Food Truck Fridays.