JERSEY CITY – In partnership with Hudson County Schools of Technology (HCST), leading foodservice equipment and product distributor BradyPLUS helped bring a bold educational vision to life by sustainably transforming a decommissioned school bus into a fully functional, professionally equipped culinary lab on wheels.
Now serving the Jersey City community, the Outdoor Classroom Food Bus provides students from County Prep High School a hands-on culinary and hospitality experience while raising funds to support the school’s culinary program.
Unveiled during a recent ribbon-cutting ceremony, the Outdoor Classroom Food Bus builds on a 2024 pilot program that enables students to explore all facets of culinary arts, including safety, sanitation, budgeting and resource allocation—all in an immersive, mobile environment. This year’s upgraded model expands the program’s reach and introduces even more advanced kitchen capabilities, thanks in part to BradyPLUS’s role as equipment advisor and foodservice partner.
“This was a truly exciting and innovative challenge,” said Steven Kauf, BradyPLUS sales manager of equipment and supplies. “We worked closely with County Prep to integrate professional-grade equipment that gives students the same hands-on training they’d receive in a commercial kitchen—all in the tight footprint of a converted bus. This is the kind of project that prepares students not just for jobs, but for real-world entrepreneurship.”
BradyPLUS supported County Prep by delivering hands-on expertise across food storage, preparation, cooking, holding and sanitation. In addition to training students on safe and efficient equipment operation, the company helped lay the foundation for real-time learning, service and community impact.
Working collaboratively with the school, BradyPLUS identified and integrated adaptable foodservice equipment and supplies that empower students to serve a flexible, seasonal menu throughout the year while generating revenue for the program. BradyPLUS also provided the bus’s vibrant graphics, giving the mobile kitchen a polished, professional look that reflects the program’s creativity. Dishes featured at the grand opening included inventive creations such as the Rhi-Licious Shrimp Tacos, Shroom-Tastic Burger and Crisp-A-Chokes with zesty lemon garlic aioli.
“Food trucks are one of the fastest-growing segments in foodservice, increasing at a rate of nearly 11% annually, with more than 58,000 operating in the U.S.,” Kauf said. “They’re also more accessible than traditional restaurants, which makes them an ideal training ground for aspiring chefs and food entrepreneurs. We are proud to have played an important role in developing an experiential learning center that is sustainable, provides hands-on learning for students and will serve as a model for other schools.”
In addition to function, the project emphasized sustainability. BradyPLUS helped the school recycle water and select energy-efficient appliances, compostable packaging and locally sourced ingredients to reduce the Outdoor Classroom Food Bus’s environmental impact.
“The Food Bus represents the best of what we strive for at HCST — offering experiential learning that empowers our students to apply their skills in meaningful, real-world settings,” said Dr. Joseph Sirangelo, acting superintendent of HCST. “We are proud to offer a career-focused curriculum and such innovative environments that prepare the next generation of restauranteurs and chefs for the ever-evolving culinary landscape.”
About BradyPLUS
BradyPLUS is a leading national distributor and solution provider focused on JanSan, foodservice, and industrial packaging. We are driven to make customers more successful and operations more productive and sustainable. We offer Supplies PLUS Support: Premium brands, expert advice, and exceptional customer experiences. Our 6,000 associates have a passion for delivering innovative solutions for the business challenges of today and tomorrow. Together, we serve over 100,000 customers nationwide in end markets, including education, government, healthcare, hospitality, restaurants, building services, food packaging & processing, and grocery. For more information, please visit www.bradyplus.com.
