A.M. Fit Meals & Florida Chefs Workshop: Fueling a Healthier Tampa Bay

Discover how A.M. Fit Meals grew from a startup to Tampa’s top meal prep company with support from Florida Chefs Workshop — a shared-use commercial kitchen in St. Petersburg helping food entrepreneurs thrive across the Tampa Bay area.

Empowering Food Entrepreneurs in Tampa Bay

Florida Chefs Workshop isn’t just a kitchen — it’s where food entrepreneurs turn their vision into reality. As a fully licensed, shared-use culinary space located in the heart of St. Petersburg, we’ve helped launch and support hundreds of food-based businesses across the Tampa Bay area. From caterers and bakers to food truck operators and meal prep visionaries, our kitchen is where culinary dreams get their first real shot.

One of those dreams belongs to Matt Ballard, founder of A.M. Fit Meals — a Tampa-based meal prep company that has rapidly grown into a community favorite for healthy, chef-prepared meals. Since joining Florida Chefs Workshop in 2022, Matt has transformed his vision into a thriving business built on convenience, clean eating, and community impact.

In this post, we’re proud to highlight Matt’s story and the success of A.M. Fit Meals — not just as a growing brand in Tampa’s wellness scene, but as a perfect example of how the right commercial kitchen can help food entrepreneurs scale, succeed, and serve their city.

Matt’s journey is one of resilience, purpose, and the kind of hustle that transforms a passion for healthy living into a thriving business. From his earliest days prepping meals in our shared kitchen to now serving clients across St. Petersburg and Tampa, A.M. Fit Meals is proof that with the right support, great things can grow — one perfectly portioned plate at a time.

Meet the Visionary: Matt Ballard’s Journey from Hardship to Health Hero

Every now and then, someone walks into our kitchen with more than just a business idea — they bring a story. A fire. A sense of purpose that can’t be taught. That’s exactly what Matt Ballard brought with him when he joined Florida Chefs Workshop in 2022. From the very beginning, you could tell this wasn’t just about food — this was about fueling change.

Raised in poverty and surrounded by challenges, Matt’s early life was anything but easy. But instead of letting those obstacles define him, he turned them into momentum. By the time he was 15, he was already training Division I athletes. At 16, he had his own apparel brand. And at 18? A sports supplement company. While most of us were still figuring out how to make ramen, Matt was out making moves.

An accomplished athlete and national powerlifting record-holder, Matt channeled his energy into health and fitness — and later, into helping others do the same. His discipline and drive led him to become one of the top personal trainers at Crunch Fitness, where he broke records not just with reps, but with revenue.

But life, as it often does, threw him a curveball.

The sudden loss of his father and a period of homelessness tested every ounce of his resolve. Living out of his car while building what would eventually become A.M. Fit Meals, Matt never lost sight of his purpose. Instead, he doubled down. Through grit, faith, and an unshakable belief in helping others, he turned his vision into a full-fledged business — one rooted in community, health, and hustle.

Matt reminds me of a young Tony Robbins — someone who’s not just motivated, but mission-driven. He’s a force of nature with a heart for impact and a mindset built for success. And just like Robbins, Matt isn’t interested in shortcuts. He’s here for the long game. To grow. To serve. To lead.

A.M. Fit Meals is more than just a meal prep company — it’s the culmination of a story that proves where you start doesn’t have to be where you finish.

A.M. Fit Meals: Making Healthy Eating Easy & Accessible 🥗💪

At its core, A.M. Fit Meals is all about making healthy eating simple, sustainable, and satisfying — even for the busiest lifestyles. Founded on the idea that nutritious food shouldn't be a chore, Matt Ballard built a brand that delivers flavor, fitness, and convenience in every bite.

Each meal is chef-prepared, portion-controlled, and macro-balanced — designed for energy, performance, or just getting through the week without grabbing takeout. The menu rotates weekly and includes everything from protein-packed breakfasts and hearty lunches to clean dinners and guilt-free snacks. 🥦🍗

Customers can order online for delivery throughout Tampa Bay, or choose local pickup at their gym or neighborhood drop site. Whether it’s arriving at your doorstep or waiting in a cooler at your favorite CrossFit box, A.M. Fit Meals makes clean eating effortless. No planning, no prepping — just heat, eat, and get on with your day. 🚗📦

Flexibility is part of the magic. Clients can build their own plans or let “The Fit Chef” take the wheel. Whether you're going low-carb, fueling gains, or just want a reset from the weekend, there’s something on the menu that fits your lifestyle — without the bland or boring. And it’s all made from fresh, high-quality ingredients that taste as good as they perform. ✅

But A.M. Fit Meals doesn’t stop at lunch and dinner. The company has expanded into high-protein treats (hello, A.M. Protein Donuts 🍩) and nutritious snacks that keep customers fueled between meals. Through their sister brand, A.M. Fit Stop, they also offer smoothies, açaí bowls, and supplements — rounding out a full-circle approach to wellness and convenience.

For anyone trying to stay on track without sacrificing time or taste, this is the kind of healthy meal delivery Tampa’s been waiting for. Fresh, fast, and focused on your goals — just the way meal prep should be.

Growth Powered by Florida Chefs Workshop 🚀🍽️

Every food business needs a solid foundation — and for A.M. Fit Meals, that foundation was built right here at Florida Chefs Workshop. When Matt Ballard joined us in 2022, he wasn’t looking for shortcuts. He was looking for the right space, the right tools, and a community that understood the grind of starting from scratch. And that’s exactly what he found.

Our fully licensed, shared-use commercial kitchen gave Matt the ability to scale quickly without the overwhelming costs of building his own facility. Instead of worrying about permits and equipment, he focused on what he does best — creating clean, flavorful meals that support active lifestyles across Tampa Bay. 🔥

With production handled in our state-of-the-art kitchen in St. Petersburg, Matt was able to:

🔪 Perfect his recipes in a professional setting
📈 Ramp up volume as demand skyrocketed
📍 Expand his reach from St. Pete to Tampa and beyond

In just over a year, A.M. Fit Meals grew into a multi six-figure business — a massive accomplishment fueled by grit, passion, and the power of the right kitchen partnership.

Even after opening his own brick-and-mortar space, Matt credits Florida Chefs Workshop as a critical part of his launch. Our kitchen helped him bridge the gap between a great idea and a thriving brand — the kind of success we love to see from our clients.

From “meal prep St. Pete” roots to becoming Tampa’s go-to name for clean eats, A.M. Fit Meals proves that when food entrepreneurs have access to the right commercial kitchen for rent, the sky’s the limit.

Community Impact & Recognition 🏆❤️

Success means more when it’s shared — and that’s something Matt Ballard and A.M. Fit Meals take to heart. From day one, this business wasn’t just about nutrition and convenience. It was about contribution. And over the past two years, A.M. Fit Meals has made giving back just as important as growing forward.

Through partnerships with organizations like Feeding Tampa Bay and Operation Lightshine, A.M. Fit Meals has donated thousands of meals to families in need and supported efforts to combat human trafficking in the local community. It’s not a side project — it’s built into the brand. Every time someone places an order, they’re fueling more than just themselves.

That deep sense of purpose hasn’t gone unnoticed. In 2024, A.M. Fit Meals was voted “Best Meal Prep Company” in Tampa Magazine’s annual Best of the City awards — a huge honor and a reflection of the loyalty and love they’ve earned from customers across the region. 🥇

And the momentum didn’t stop there.

The company has also partnered with gyms and fitness centers across Tampa Bay, offering convenient grab-and-go meals right where clients need them most. Top partners include:

Gold’s Gym 💪
F45 Training 🏃‍♀️
Crunch Fitness 🏋️

These partnerships help bring fresh, clean meals straight to the places where health-conscious people are already showing up and putting in the work — and the convenience is a big win.

The reviews? Nothing short of glowing. Customers consistently praise the flavor, freshness, and time-saving ease of the service. For busy professionals, athletes, parents, and anyone who’s just done with cooking three times a day — A.M. Fit Meals has become a game-changer.

In a world full of “meal prep” promises, A.M. Fit Meals stands out for actually delivering — and not just to your door. They deliver on quality, consistency, and community values. And that’s why their story matters.

The Florida Chefs Workshop Effect 🌟👨‍🍳

At Florida Chefs Workshop, we don’t just rent kitchen space — we build launchpads. Whether you’re crafting gourmet meals, baking with passion, prepping for food truck service, or dreaming up the next big snack brand, our goal is to give you the tools and support to make it happen.

A.M. Fit Meals is a perfect example of what’s possible when talent meets opportunity. With access to a fully equipped, licensed kitchen, Matt Ballard was able to start smart, scale fast, and stay focused on growing his business — not getting bogged down in permits, overhead, or red tape.

And he’s not alone.

Over the past seven years, Florida Chefs Workshop has helped hundreds of food businesses get off the ground — many of which have gone on to open storefronts, expand regionally, or develop thriving online followings. We’re proud to be a resource for:

Meal prep companies looking to grow their weekly production
Food truck owners needing a dependable commissary base
Caterers and bakers launching full-time from part-time dreams
Specialty food makers building packaged products for retail

If you’re looking for a commercial kitchen for rent in St. Petersburg or Pinellas County, we invite you to tour our space, meet our team, and see how your business fits into our vibrant culinary community.

From meal prep in St. Pete to major milestones in Tampa, stories like A.M. Fit Meals remind us why we do what we do. It’s not just about kitchen space — it’s about helping passionate people bring their vision to the table. And if you're ready to make your move, we’re ready to help you cook it up.

Fueling Dreams, One Kitchen at a Time 🔑🍴

From vision to victory, Matt Ballard’s journey with A.M. Fit Meals is everything we hope for at Florida Chefs Workshop. His story proves that with the right mindset, mission, and support system, food entrepreneurs can build something that nourishes more than just appetites — it can nourish communities.

Whether you’re a personal trainer dreaming of a meal prep line, a baker ready to scale your signature treats, or a food truck owner seeking a reliable base of operations, our shared-use commercial kitchen in St. Petersburg is here to support your success. Just like it did for Matt.

Ready to turn your culinary concept into a real, thriving business? Let’s talk.

📍 Florida Chefs Workshop – Proudly serving Pinellas County and the greater Tampa Bay area

🌐 www.floridachefsworkshop.com

📞 (727) 308-1256

📧 customerservice@floridachefsworkshop.com