Fellows gather at the Kindred Opening Weekend in Philadelphia in October. Photo by Justus Henry, Margo Reed Studio.
Fellows gather at the Kindred Opening Weekend in Philadelphia in October. Photo by Justus Henry, Margo Reed Studio.

FoodCorps Welcomes Second Cohort of Kindred Fellows 

PHILADELPHIA (Oct. 22, 2026)—FoodCorps is proud to introduce the second cohort of its innovative Kindred Fellowship for School Nutrition Leaders, a nine-month program equipping school nutrition professionals to effect change in their fields. 

Over the course of the year, Kindred fellows will learn to drive change in school nutrition through community-centered, evidence-based practices. Fellows gathered in Philadelphia this weekend to kick off the program, build connections, and share their visions for an impactful year of nurturing change in school food. 

The second cohort of Kindred fellows includes:

  • Alonso Alonso, Assistant Director of Nutrition Services, El Monte City School District
  • Anna Severns, Senior Nutrition & Compliance Manager, Healthy Bites Collective
  • Becca Boone, Farm to School Lead, Aurora Public Schools
  • Caitlynne Palmieri, Garden and Food Justice Coordinator, Boys & Girls Clubs of Martin County
  • Dr. Camille Lewis, Jefferson County Extension Director and 4-H Agent, University of Florida
  • Cassidee Jones, Community Education Manager, Farm Fresh RI (FFRI)
  • Corrie Allen, Director of Dining Services, Chartwells K12
  • Dain Holland, Culinary and Farm Director, The STEAD School 
  • Dr. Derricka B. Thomas, Director of Child Nutrition & Wellness, Simpson County School District
  • Ellen McKnight Hill, Executive Director, Child Nutrition Program, East Baton Rouge Parish School System 
  • Ilene Agustin, Director of School Nutrition, Colorado Charter School Institute
  • Johanna Bishop, Nutrition Education Specialist, Greeley-Evans School District 6
  • Katie Enterline, Floating Food Service Manager, Chambersburg Area School District
  • Kelsey Lloyd, Nutrition Manager, SodexoMagic
  • Kenneth Varner, Senior Community Engagement Manager, Healthy Schools Campaign
  • Kneilah Flowers, Nutrition Coordinator, Institute of Community Services, Inc./Project Head Start
  • Mariapia Watzig, Nutrition Wellness Coordinator, Centennial School District
  • Markitta L. Jones, M.S., Nutrition Director, Institute of Community Services, Inc./Project Head Start 
  • Martha Ramkellawan, Food Service Director, Greenwich Public Schools
  • Megan Salyer, Nutrition Specialist, Fairfax County Public Schools
  • Melisa McCullough, Food Service Director, Calhoun County Youth Center
  • Natasha Carper, Food Service Director, Pine River Area Schools
  • Olivia Flores, Nutrition and Farm to School Specialist, Rio School District
  • Sean Shatto, Chicago Good Food Purchasing Implementation Manager, Chicago Food Policy Action Council
  • Sophie Scott, Sustainable Seafood Program Manager, Gulf of Maine Research Institute
  • Sylvia Ng, Director of School Food Institute & The Lunch Box, Chef Ann Foundation
  • Taylor Frederick, Culinary Programs Director, Nourish Colorado
  • Tiffany M. Page-Cooper, Program Director, Youth Educational Services, Langston Hughes Community, Business & Resource Center
  • Victoria Montgomery, Food Service Manager, Oregon Youth Authority

FoodCorps is grateful to the following funding partners for their support of the Kindred Fellowship and our other leadership development offerings: the Dohmen Company Foundation; the Rachael Ray Foundation; and Aetna, a CVS Health company.

ABOUT FOODCORPS
For 15 years, FoodCorps has championed child well-being through food in school. As a national nonprofit, FoodCorps works with students, families, and communities to make nourishing food the norm in cafeterias, classrooms, and school gardens. In collaboration with local partners, we build schools’ capacity to provide nutritious meals, locally informed food education, and positive, vibrant experiences with food. Building on our school programming, 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 access food education and nourishing, free meals in school. Join us in transforming the school food system at www.foodcorps.org.

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