A new taco truck, Masa, debuted this month, and co‑owners Cameron and Ellen Macleish use 100% of its profit to help end hunger and food waste in St. Pete. Masa adds another revenue stream for the Macleishs’ parent project, 360 Eats, which delivers free, healthy, gourmet meals to food deserts and low‑income areas.
Find Masa next at Nerd Nite St. Pete at Coastal Creative (2201 1st Ave S) on March 25 at 6 p.m.
ADVERTISEMENT
Before launching Masa, 360 Eats solely operated on grants and donations, which required extensive applications and long wait times without guaranteeing funds. Masa addresses that issue, allowing the Macleishs to fund 360 Eats through direct sales, in addition to grants and donations.
“Given our funding sources are small and limited,” said Cameron, “Masa works as a cool marketing strategy to let people know what we do. Through that, we get a lot of volunteers and new donors. It’s a cool way to engage the community.” Masa has catered events, appeared as a pop‑up, and served at festivals such as the Brewers Guild Festival.
Local expert helps develop Masa’s concept
Ronicca Whaley, owner of the popular Shiso Crispy concept, joined 360 Eats’ board of directors in October 2024. Leveraging her expertise, Whaley developed the taco truck concept, curated the menu, and connected Masa to event organizers. While Masa funds 360 Eats’ free community meals program, it operates differently.
Masa does not supply free meals like its parent project. Instead, its sales provide an alternative revenue stream alongside grants and donations. In contrast, 360 Eats’ free meals program uses excess food that would otherwise be discarded due to overstocking or slight packaging tears. Masa purchases its ingredients and aims to drive public awareness and volunteer opportunities rather than directly serve food deserts and low‑income areas.
Check out Masa’s calendar to find them at an event near you.
360 Eats delivers nutritious gourmet meals into the heart of food deserts
Operating out of another food truck, 360 Eats and its Sustain-A-Bowl initiative deliver free, healthy, gourmet meals into the heart of food deserts and low‑income senior centers. Through various donors and partnerships, each week 360 Eats receives about 5,000 lbs of perfectly good food that would otherwise be discarded. A staff of dietitians and chefs sorts the food and develops a weekly bowl concept adhering to the USDA’s My Plate standard and Harvard’s nutrition model. The bowls contain a balance of healthy grains, vegetables, and a choice of protein, along with a side of fruit, all dressed with in‑house sauces.
Volunteer opportunities at 360 Eats
For their efforts, 360 Eats was awarded the 2023 Tampa Bay Lightning Community Hero Award. “Selflessness, passion and kindness are qualities in people that inspire me on a daily basis,” said Cameron. 360 Eats plans to cover most of Pinellas Park within the next year and expand throughout the greater Tampa Bay area within the next five years.
Follow 360 Eats on Instagram for further developments, and if you’re Interested in volunteering, read about how you can contribute to the 360 Eats mission here, or if you or a community you know needs meals, check the 360 Eats distribution calendar here.
ADVERTISEMENT
