Fifth-grade classmates at Lewes Elementary School wrapped up their microeconomics unit in social studies with a hands-on, flavorful learning experience thanks to a visit from local food truck owners Kristi and William Sutliffe of Frios Gourmet Pops.
Throughout the unit, students explored key economic concepts by designing their own food truck businesses from the ground up. Working in teams, they created business names, planned menus and managed a budget, making real-world decisions about pricing, ingredients, advertising and overall profitability. The project blended creativity with financial literacy, offering students an engaging introduction to entrepreneurship.
To bring the lesson to life, the Sutliffes visited the school to share the story behind their own small business, including the challenges and rewards of running a mobile food operation. Giving students a firsthand look at what it takes to be successful entrepreneurs, the Sutliffes spoke about what inspired them to open Frios, and how they source ingredients, manage inventory and attract customers. After the presentation, students had the opportunity to ask questions about business ownership, daily responsibilities and how the duo keeps their popular popsicle truck running smoothly.
The visit ended on a sweet note as each student enjoyed a Frios popsicle, celebrating both the completion of their unit and the hard work they put into their food truck projects.
“This experience provided students an invaluable way to connect classroom learning to real-world application,” said Dr. Kimberly Corbidge, Lewes Elementary principal. “It truly helped students see how economic concepts play out beyond the classroom.”
Lewes Elementary educators look forward to continuing partnerships with local businesses that bring authentic learning opportunities to students, and inspire the next generation of innovators and entrepreneurs.