News Summary
Masa Taco Truck has launched in St. Petersburg, aiming to tackle food waste and hunger. Founded by Cameron and Ellen Macleish, all profits support 360 Eats, a nonprofit providing free gourmet meals from surplus food. The truck promotes community awareness and involvement in helping food deserts. Its debut event is set for March 25, 2025, at Nerd Nite St. Pete, encouraging locals to enjoy delicious tacos while contributing to a noble cause.
Exciting New Taco Truck Hits the Streets of St. Petersburg!
St. Petersburg is buzzing with a fresh wave of excitement as Masa Taco Truck officially opens its doors to the community. Launched in March 2025 by the dynamic duo Cameron and Ellen Macleish, this taco truck is taking a unique approach to more than just delicious food—it’s on a mission to *combat* food waste and hunger in our beloved city!
More Than Just Tacos: A Mission Driven by Purpose
Masa isn’t your typical food truck; it operates as a for-profit venture, but here’s the fascinating twist: every single penny earned goes straight into supporting its larger mission against hunger. The *trucking team* takes this commitment seriously. They know the importance of fighting hunger while also addressing the staggering issue of food waste that affects many communities today.
In a groundbreaking partnership, Masa supports its nonprofit counterpart, 360 Eats, which is dedicated to providing free gourmet meals made from surplus food. This innovative nonprofit has been quietly but powerfully at work, serving around *5,000 pounds of* nutritious food each week to those in need, adhering to *USDA and Harvard dietary standards*. However, funding has been tricky for the nonprofit, relying on grants and donations that often come with delays and restrictions. With Masa now operational, 360 Eats is looking at a much more sustainable source of income to fuel its mission.
A Community-Centered Approach
The Macleish team understands that sometimes, it takes a village to make a real change. By integrating Masa Taco Truck into the community, they aim to raise both awareness and funds to help support free meals in food deserts and low-income neighborhoods around St. Petersburg. The taco truck acts as a friendly marketing strategy to engage local folks, attract enthusiastic volunteers, and bring in new donors who want to make a difference.
Expect to see Masa Taco Truck around town! The truck has already made appearances at local events, like the *Brewers Guild Festival* and various pop-up occasions, generating plenty of buzz and excitement in the community. It’s a fantastic opportunity to enjoy good food while also contributing to a worthwhile cause.
Special Event: The Big Debut!
Mark your calendars, taco lovers! The official debut of Masa Taco Truck is happening on March 25, 2025, at Nerd Nite St. Pete, which will take place at *Coastal Creative*. Gather your friends and family to feast on tasty tacos while supporting a bigger cause—it’s a duo of deliciousness!
Aiming for Expansion and Impact
Looking ahead, 360 Eats has high hopes to expand its services beyond Pinellas Park and into the greater Tampa Bay area over the next five years. With Masa hitting the streets, the team firmly believes that they can provide an even more significant impact on the community through delicious food and necessary resources.
Moreover, 360 Eats has already garnered recognition for its community impact, recently winning the *2023 Tampa Bay Lightning Community Hero Award*. This accolade highlights the incredible efforts made to uplift those in need and validates the importance of both 360 Eats and Masa Taco Truck.
The board of 360 Eats welcomed Ronicca Whaley, the owner of Shiso Crispy, last October. Her talents were instrumental in designing the mouth-watering concept and menu for Masa, setting the stage for a delicious experience everyone will soon be able to enjoy.
So, get ready, St. Petersburg! With Masa Taco Truck rolling out onto the scene, not only will you get your taco fix, but you’ll also be part of a great cause working to provide meals for those who need them the most. Every taco you eat makes a difference—how cool is that? Stay tuned for some delicious adventures headed our way!
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Additional Resources
- Wild 94.1: St. Petersburg Taco Truck Fight Local Hunger
- Wikipedia: Taco
- I Love the Burg: Taco Wizard LA Street Food St. Pete
- Google Search: Food Waste Hunger
- I Love the Burg: New Food Truck Juanita’s
- Google Scholar: Food Trucks Community Impact
- I Love the Burg: Liberty Smokehouse St. Pete
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Street Food
- I Love the Burg: Beers on the Pier MOH 2024
Author: STAFF HERE PETERSBURG WRITER
ST PETERSBURG STAFF WRITER The ST PETERSBURG STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREStPetersburg.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in St Petersburg, Pinellas County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, Localtopia, and SHINE Mural Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce and St. Pete Downtown Partnership, plus leading businesses in finance, manufacturing, and healthcare that power the local economy such as Raymond James Financial, Jabil, and Bayfront Health St. Petersburg. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREJacksonville.com, HEREOrlando.com, HERETallahassee.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
