The Storm Brew Coffee Cart: Empowering Students, Building Community

Our STORM BREW coffee cart is now open at the SRRHS (in the commons). 

Support our Culinary Team and our Functional Skills program, while enjoying delicious coffees, smoothies, and pastries. 

Open Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday mornings from 7:10 a.m.–8:15 a.m. Accepting cash and credit cards. 

The Storm Brew Coffee Cart: Empowering Students, Building Community

At Sauk Rapids-Rice High School (SRRHS), students are brewing more than just coffee—they’re crafting opportunities, fostering connections, and creating a legacy of collaboration. 

On Tuesday, December 3, the highly anticipated Storm Brew Coffee Cart officially opened, representing the combined efforts of SRRHS’s Culinary Arts Program and the 9-12 Developmentally Cognitively Disabled (DCD) Program.

This innovative, student-led initiative offers vocational training in customer service, food preparation, leadership, and mentorship, all while fostering an inclusive environment. Through hands-on experiences, students of all abilities gain real-world skills that prepare them for future careers.

How It All Began:

The idea for Storm Brew began with SRRHS educators Mary Levinski, Family and Consumer Science Instructor, and Jennifer Kranz, Special Education Teacher, who pursued an Innovation Grant through Resource Training and Solutions. With the help of alum Maddie Waseka (Class of 2015) from Copper Kitchen, they secured the grant, which required collaboration with local businesses. Matching funds and support from community stakeholders made the dream a reality.

Key contributors include:

• SRRHS Industrial Technology Program
• Ron’s Cabinets: Custom-built the coffee cart, exemplifying local craftsmanship.
• Eminent Coffee Roasters: Led by alum Josh Kaeter (Class of 2009), provided the Perfect Storm coffee blend.
• Copper Kitchen: Designed the cart and menu, blending creativity with function.

This project is a testament to the community’s commitment to giving back and investing in students.

The Storm Brew Experience

The Storm Brew Coffee Cart serves coffee, smoothies, and baked goods on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. Culinary students mentor DCD students, teaching them essential job skills like customer service, and inventory management.

Culinary students also benefit by applying their skills in real-world settings, from running the cart to baking pastries and managing inventory. As part of their curriculum, students train as managers and practice catering events, such as the Hall of Fame Breakfast and the FFA Banquet. This is another opportunity to perform these skills. The collaboration doesn’t stop with the cart. Staff can enjoy delivery service from our DCD students, and whole bean bags of the Perfect Storm blend to be available for purchase soon.

More Than a Coffee Cart

Beyond serving great coffee, Storm Brew is creating a ripple effect in the Sauk Rapids community:

• Empowering Students: Equipping them with skills for future employment.
• Strengthening Connections: Building relationships between students, staff, alumni, and local businesses.
• Fostering Local Pride: Highlighting the talents and contributions of alumni like Maddie and Josh, who give back to their roots.

The Storm Brew Coffee Cart is more than a school project—it’s a celebration of creativity, collaboration, and community spirit. It’s bold, it’s innovative, and it’s proudly Storm.