The Florida ProStart program began as a pilot program in the 1994-1995 school year with six programs.  Today, it is 211 schools strong.  This directly correlates to the explosive growth of the foodservice industry, which was the original intention of the ProStart program founders, the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF).  As the foodservice industry was growing, the NRAEF forecasted an alarming shortage of restaurant managers.   ProStart was created to interest high school students in this diverse industry to head off these shortages.

At the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association Educational Foundation (FRLAEF), we, along with our sponsors, are doing our part to keep the foodservice industry vibrant as we touch the lives of over 30,000 students and their teachers with industry training, scholarships and grant funding.

ProStart is a nationwide, two-year program for high school students that develops the best and brightest talent into tomorrow’s industry leaders. From culinary techniques to management skills, ProStart’s industry-driven curriculum provides real-world educational opportunities and builds practical skills and a foundation that will last a lifetime.

By bringing industry and the classroom together, ProStart gives students a platform to discover new interests and talents and opens doors for fulfilling careers. It all happens through a curriculum that teaches all facets of the restaurant and foodservice industry, inspires students to succeed and sets a high standard of excellence for students and the industry.

For a current list of Florida ProStart schools CLICK HERE