ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — 360 Eats is a nonprofit food rescue service that is expanding its nutrition efforts in South St. Petersburg.

What You Need To Know

  • 360 Eats collects food from local supermarkets and restaurants before it goes to waste

  • They have now expanded their reach with a weekly event at the James B. Sanderlin Family Center, which was made possible by a grant of over $60,000 awarded by Healthy St. Pete and Orlando Health Bayfront

  • 360 Eats also received a grant to sponsor its culinary internship program, targeting those seeking first-time employment

When food at local markets doesn’t sell and isn’t cooked at a restaurant, the nonprofit collects it before it goes to waste.

They serve nutritious meals through their mobile food truck.

For some south St. Petersburg residents standing in line, the food they’re receiving from this 360 Eats food truck may be their healthiest meal of the day.

In fact, it may be the only option available nearby as the area has officially been recognized as a federal food desert.

“You see, the people here. They need help and they don’t have money," said customer Shirley Melton. "They’re losing their homes, and they don’t have jobs. And it’s very seldom that you see where somebody is trying to help.”

Cameron MacLeish co-founded 360 Eats with his mother, Chef Ellen MacLeish, in 2020 in Clearwater.

“It’s essential that we have services like ours out there providing meals to individuals,” said Cameron. “For a lot of these people, they’re there. They’re juggling between, you know, working full-time jobs, getting their kids into after-school programs, things of that nature. And it can be really challenging to find the time to prepare and cook nutritious food for your family.”

Ellen Macleish was a career chef prior to establishing the nonprofit.

“We take what we get and we are trying to serve nutritious meals,” she said.

Cameron says they have come a long way since their launch four years ago. They have now expanded their reach with a weekly event at the James B. Sanderlin Family Center. This expansion was made possible by a grant of over $60,000 awarded by Healthy St. Pete and Orlando Health Bayfront.

“We developed a community event where people can seek food assistance in a dignified way,” said Cameron.

360 Eats also received a grant to sponsor its culinary internship program, targeting those seeking first-time employment.