FoodCorps: The New School Food Army

There’s a fresh new army about to make headlines in the fight against our national health crisis, and they’re starting at the grassroots level in high-obesity, limited-resource communities. The aptly named FoodCorps (in the style of AmeriCorps) consists of fifty young American leaders who will dedicate a year of their lives to engage young children in healthy eating habits and provide them with a nutritional education that will stick with them for life. 

"By leveraging federal funds and the revitalized public service program of AmeriCorps, FoodCorps aims to provide the people-power necessary to change the school food environment in communities that need it most." wrote FoodCorps co-organizer Cecily Upton.  “This is more than just another food pyramid poster on the cafeteria wall, FoodCorps is a school food army, putting boots on the ground in service for healthier kids.” 

A total of 41 communities will receive a nutritional education program make-over, a school garden program that will engage students and the community in growing their own food, and a Farm to School program that will put locally grown produce on their cafeteria trays and introduce them to the farmers who worked hard to grow their food. 

How will they do it?
In the coming weeks, trained FoodCorps Service Members will report to an organization in each state with a high-impact track record in working to improve the health of their community. Through the help and introduction of these organizations, as well as the funding and unparelleled support of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation and other partners, 50 Service Members will be stationed at 41 communities in 10 states: Arkansas, Arizona, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, New Mexico, North Carolina and Oregon. 

It is estimated that at least 8,000 children will receive at least 10 hours of garden-enhanced nutrition education in this year alone, and sample student assessments have indicated they will see a measureable increase in nutrition and health awareness.

The aim is not only to improve the health and food IQ of these communities, but also to serve as a resource to researchers in the area of school nutrition. While FoodCorps members are in service, each will train and place 250 new volunteers to carry the torch in school garden and Farm to School initiatives.

Upton adds, "If we’re lucky, the bright, young minds enlisted in the FoodCorps army will go on to change the food environment at large by becoming farmers, politicians, teachers, activists, nurses, and, importantly, parents of kids of their own."  It is expected that after their year of service and training, 50% of FoodCorps Members will pursue careers in fields that contribute to our nation’s wellness. 


To learn more about the FoodCorps and learn how you can serve or become a program site, visit www.foodcorps.org.

Pictured below: FoodCorps Service Members, Host Site Directors, Staff, and trainers with AmeriCorps Director John Gomperts. Photo by; Whitney Kidder