The expansion underscores FoodCorps’ goal of ensuring that every child in America has access to food education and nourishing food in schools by 2030.
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The expansion is part of the organization’s Nourishing Futures initiative, a $250 million commitment that seeks to ensure all 50 million students learn about food and have access to nourishing, free meals in school by 2030.
NEW YORK CITY (May 10, 2023) – FoodCorps, a national nonprofit that partners with schools and communities to nourish children’s health, education and sense of belonging, announced today that it will expand its programming to schools and service sites in Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri and Rhode Island. The expansion underscores the organization’s goal of ensuring that every child in America has access to food education and nourishing food in schools by 2030 through its Nourishing Futures initiative.
FoodCorps currently serves more than 250 schools and districts in 12 states and the District of Columbia. With the addition of these four states, FoodCorps will reach 16 states across the country. Districts like Baltimore City Public Schools and Providence Public Schools will constitute some of FoodCorps’ largest partners, with many of the students identifying as Black, Indigenous, Multiracial, and/or People of Color (BIMPOC).
“We’re thrilled to partner with these schools and communities as we grow our movement to bring nourishing, locally grown foods to children in schools,” said Dr. Robert S. Harvey, FoodCorps President. “Expanding into these new states brings us ever closer to achieving our goal of reaching half a million students a year by 2030. We’re energized by the ideas these school districts are bringing to the table and look forward to working alongside educators and school nutrition leaders to nourish our children’s futures.”
The expansion furthers opportunities for FoodCorps’ AmeriCorps service members to work closely with leaders at schools to understand the food-related needs of each community and support initiatives and projects that will meet their goals. Among other objectives, the expansion will support culturally responsive food education, farm to school programs and greater student involvement in menu creation.
Districts include:
This announcement comes on the heels of a $1 million commitment from PLEZi Nutrition and former First Lady Michelle Obama in support of the Nourishing Futures initiative, announced on May 3 at The Wall Street Journal’s Future of Everything Festival.
For more information on FoodCorps service sites, visit https://foodcorps.org/where-we-work.
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About FoodCorps
FoodCorps partners with schools and communities to nourish childrens’ health, education, and sense of belonging so that every child, in every school, experiences the joy and power of food. Our AmeriCorps members serve alongside educators and school nutrition leaders to provide children with nourishing meals, food education, and culturally affirming experiences with food that celebrate and nurture the whole child. Building on this direct service, FoodCorps advocates for policy change, grows networks, and develops leaders in service of every child’s health and well-being. Our goal is that by 2030, every child will have access to food education and nourishing food in school.
To learn more about FoodCorps’ work across the country, visit http://www.foodcorps.org or follow @foodcorps on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
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