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School nutrition professionals and emerging school food leaders are meeting with lawmakers to champion policies that help students learn, eat, and thrive.
Press Contact
Nathan Garcia
FoodCorps
nathan.garcia@foodcorps.org
WASHINGTON, D.C. — June 25, 2026 — Today, FoodCorps Kindred Fellows from across the country are meeting with lawmakers on Capitol Hill to urge Congress to support school meals, hands-on food education, strong school kitchens, local food systems, and the nutrition professionals who help students learn, eat, and thrive.
The Kindred Fellowship is FoodCorps’ national fellowship for school nutrition professionals and emerging school food leaders. Fellows bring firsthand experience from schools, cafeterias, gardens, districts, and local food systems to help lawmakers better understand how policy decisions impact students, families, schools, and communities.
This week’s Capitol Hill meetings are part of FoodCorps’ Kindred Fellowship convening in Washington, D.C., where fellows are connecting with a national cohort of leaders, strengthening their advocacy skills, and sharing what students and schools need to build healthier, more equitable school food systems.
“School meals are one of the most powerful tools schools have to support children’s health, learning, and sense of belonging,” said Mickeala Carter, Vice President of Policy and Communications. “Kindred Fellows know this work firsthand. They see every day how nourishing meals, hands-on food education, strong school kitchens, and local food systems shape students’ experiences at school. Congress has an important role to play in making sure schools have the resources they need to serve students well.”
FoodCorps is urging Congress to champion child nutrition and food education policies that help every student access nourishing meals, hands-on food education, and strong school food systems. These priorities include expanding access to healthy school meals for every student, making food education part of the school day, strengthening healthy and sustainable school meal supply chains, supporting school nutrition professionals, and modernizing school kitchens and cafeteria infrastructure.
For many children, school meals and snacks are a regular source of nourishment that helps them stay focused, feel cared for, and get the most out of the school day. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, millions of children rely on school meals and snacks for more than half of their food intake during the school week, and for many children, school meals and snacks are the most nutritious foods they get in a day.
“Every day, school nutrition professionals do skilled, essential work to feed students well,” said Ashanti Lewis, Director of Federal Government Relations. “When lawmakers hear directly from the people working in schools and communities, they can better understand what students need and what it takes to make nourishing school meals possible. We need policies that support the meals, kitchens, staff, and local food systems behind every tray.”
As Kindred Fellows meet with lawmakers in Washington, D.C., FoodCorps is also inviting advocates across the country to join them through a digital day of action. Supporters can send a message to Congress urging lawmakers to support policies that help students learn, eat, and thrive.
“You don’t have to be on Capitol Hill to speak up for students,” Lewis said. “Advocates across the country can use their own experiences to tell lawmakers why school meals, food education, school gardens, local food purchasing, school kitchens, and school nutrition professionals matter in their communities.”
FoodCorps is asking Congress to support policies that advance the following priorities:
FoodCorps’ Kindred Fellowship is designed to equip school nutrition professionals and emerging school food leaders with evidence-based, community-centered tools they can bring to their own schools. Built on FoodCorps’ 15 years of expertise in school food systems, the fellowship supports leaders working to transform school food in communities across the country.
To join FoodCorps in speaking up for students, visit https://foodcorps.quorum.us/campaign/163690/.
About FoodCorps
FoodCorps is a national nonprofit advancing child well-being through food in school. We partner with students, families, and communities to champion nourishing food at local, state, and national levels. Our leaders support schools in providing nutritious meals, locally-informed food education, and welcoming school environments that set kids up for positive, vibrant relationships with food. Building on this program, we develop leaders, grow networks, and advocate for policies in service of every kid’s health and well-being. FoodCorps is working toward a future where all 50 million public school students have access to food education and nourishing meals in school. Learn more at www.foodcorps.org.
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