Join the Corps
Applications for 2027-2028 will open in January. In the meantime, take the eligibility quiz to see if you qualify.
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Support Your Community, Grow Your Career
As a FoodCorps member, you’ll teach kids to grow, cook, and love the nourishing foods that celebrate their communities—and help schools serve more of those foods, too. FoodCorps recruits talented leaders into full-time, eleven-and-a-half month, paid positions, where they grow healthy school food environments in communities across the country through hands-on, experiential food education. Have questions? Email us at apply@foodcorps.org.
What you’ll do
As a corps member, you’ll teach kids about nourishing food and help schools become healthier places for them to learn and grow. Here’s how.
Lead Hands-On Lessons
You’ll teach students to grow, cook, and taste new foods, building their knowledge of and enthusiasm for fruits and veggies. You’ll collaborate with teachers on integrating food into the curriculum, and you may help organize field trips to local farms or visits from chefs.
Influence Nourishing School Meals
You’ll cultivate a cafeteria experience that steers students towards fresh fruits and veggies, gets them excited to try new foods, and celebrates their local traditions. You’ll get kids to try samples during taste tests and brainstorm foods that make them feel strong and nourished. You may even work with food service directors and farmers to get local foods onto the lunch tray.
Build A Culture of Health
You’ll be an active, collaborative member of the school community, working to ensure that the whole school environment—from hallway to classroom to cafeteria—celebrates nourishing food. You may plan family cooking nights and organize food fundraisers, too.
FoodCorps Member Tamara Lewis offers a beet taste test. (Hartford, CT)
Benefits
FoodCorps members receive a competitive wage, health insurance, and a comprehensive benefits package. This role offers valuable experience that supports long-term careers in food education, school nutrition, and policy-related work.
After completing your term, you will join the FoodCorps leadership network, a nationwide community of professionals committed to improving school food and education. As part of this network, you will have access to ongoing career support, mentorship, and opportunities to grow your skills and advance in your field.
Compensation and Time Off
Compensation and Time OffFoodCorps members are eligible to receive up to $40,000 per service term, which equates to $23.38 per hour in a non-exempt, overtime-eligible position. Members are expected to work 38 hours per week, with an average bi-weekly pay of $1,776 before taxes and deductions.
In addition to wages, members receive a generous paid time off package, which includes:
Accrued vacation and sick leave
Fixed time off such as personal days, your birthday, volunteer hours, and Public Health Emergency Leave (PHEL)
Parental leave and bereavement leave
Recognized holidays throughout the year
A winter break
Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)FoodCorps is a qualifying employer under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. This means that, if you meet the federal requirements, your time working at FoodCorps may count toward the 120 qualifying payments needed for federal student loan forgiveness.
Insurance and Benefits
Insurance and BenefitsFoodCorps offers a comprehensive benefits package to support your health, well-being, and financial security. Eligible members receive:
Health, dental, and vision insurance plans, with premiums shared by FoodCorps and the employee
A basic Disability, Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D), and Life Insurance plan fully paid by FoodCorps
Access to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for mental health and personal support
401(k) Retirement Plan Benefits
Family Planning Financial Support
Pre-tax transit and parking benefits
Relocation Support
Relocation SupportTo support a smooth start, all new incoming FoodCorps members will receive a $500 transition stipend. This one-time payment is intended to help cover initial expenses during the gap between your first day of work and your first paycheck.
Member Support Fund
Member Support FundFoodCorps members have access to a Member Support Fund, which provides financial assistance for unexpected expenses that may arise during the service term. Members can apply for funding to help cover costs related to medical or family emergencies, natural disasters, or other unforeseen challenges that impact their ability to serve.
FoodCorps Alumni NetworkOur model for change is about much more than your year of service. You’ll stay connected to FoodCorps throughout your career through our network of over 1,500 alumni.
Corps Tracks
When you join the corps, you’ll choose one of two tracks to guide your work in schools.
Food Education
Corps members mostly work alongside educators to teach kids about food in classrooms and gardens.
School Nutrition
Corps members mostly work with school nutrition staff and community members to bring more nourishing foods into the cafeteria.
CAREER DEVELOPMENT
Here are six core career paths where FoodCorps alumni are changing the world
%
of alumni work in one of these six career paths
More than 70% of FoodCorps alumni go on to careers where they continue shaping the school food system. The most common alumni career paths are:
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