Victoria's Camosun College rolls out food truck classroom

VictoriaCamosunCollege is using the ever-growingfood truck trendas a learning opportunity.

The school's Culinary Arts program is using the food truck to give students the opportunity to learn about a fast-growing sector of the food industry, said program headSteve Walker-Duncan.

"The food truck sector of the food services industry is a vibrant and active and really trendy area," saidWalker-Duncan.

He said a food truck is an opportunity for aspiring cooks to get into a small business at a very affordable price. With the high cost of rent in B.C., it's an opportunity that has growing appeal.

"We're really excited to be able to provide this learning platform for students across the college."

He said conversations aboutfood trucks have taken place at the campus for years, and while the food truck isprimarily aimed at culinary students, it can help students in other disciplines.

Students of metal work, automotive repair, plumbing, graphic arts and marketing are all expected to apply their newly acquired skills to the truck.

In order to cater to a wide variety of cuisines,Walker-Duncan said the truck, which was purchased second-hand,has to be modified. The school's automotive department is inspecting it to assess its road worthiness.

"They're going to make sure it is mechanically sound," he said. "Then we will move towardpulling out the old equipment and looking at what we need to modify for counter space and those kinds of things."

Walker-Duncan said students are very excited for the truck to be operational thisApril. There are areas of the campus where food services aren't easily accessible, and he hopes the truck will change that.

"All of our students are just giddy," he said. "They're really looking forward to getting active on the truck."

With files from All Points West