How FoodCorps Members Support Kids’ Mental Health
A Measurable Difference
FoodCorps’ service is directly improving the health and lives of students across the country and working to affect systems change at every level, from local districts to federal policy.
Our Impact
FoodCorps’ work is making a difference in kids’ relationships with food. Learn more about our service corps, who we reach, and the impact we make every day.
Who we serve
2021-2022 school year
%
of students, on average, receive free or reduced-price lunch, relative to 77% nationwide%
of students identify as BIMPOC, relative to 51% nationwide
254
schools served
106,186
students reached through direct service
FoodCorps AmeriCorps Service Member Dainese Pridgeon adds a scoop of veggies to a student’s plate. (Cedar Rapids, IA)
Reaching Students, Feeding Communities
Strong relationships are a cornerstone of FoodCorps service. Five years of FoodCorps support in Iowa helped service member Dainese Pridgeon step into her role in 2018. So when schools closed in March 2020, she had the trust that was needed to immediately begin helping cafeteria staff cook and bag meals for Cedar Rapids families five days a week. Dainese credits those who came before her: “It makes me so grateful to the first FoodCorps members, who let me do what I was doing.”
Our service members
2021-2022 school year
%
of service members identify as BIMPOC*
%
of service members are serving in their local communities
*We are working to ensure that service members reflect the communities they serve. See our EDI report for how we are working toward this goal.
73%
of service member alumni continue to make an impact through careers in policy, education, and public health
Impact on schools, students, and the school food system
Of the 254 schools we serve in 2021-2022:
15,000
lessons taught
&
6,000
food tastings led by service members so far
%
of schools have received taste tests of new menu items in the cafeteria
%
of schools have received support for over 350 school gardens
Collaborating for Policy Change
When FoodCorps arrived in Connecticut in 2012, conversations with other organizations sparked an interest in getting farm to school — or healthy, local foods served directly to students — off the ground. A few years later, through partnerships with state agencies, anti-hunger groups, and food systems organizations, the Connecticut Farm to School Collaborative was born. Members met with legislative champions and shared stories about the impact of farm to school, eventually testifying before the Education Committee. In 2021, their work paid off. The CT Grown for CT Kids program launched with $500,000 of federal funding, helping to ensure Connecticut kids eat more fresh, local foods.
Impactful stories
How FoodCorps Members Support Kids’ Mental Health
From mindfulness in the garden to plant part yoga.
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“Newark Chose Me”: A Talk with Bridgette Byrd
How one New Jersey service member connects to her city through food.
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WATCH: A Fifth Grader Explains Why Food Education Matters
Maine student Ben Rivers spoke to his school board about food and garden education.
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Making Free School Meals a Reality in New Mexico
Inside the push by lawmakers and organizers to nourish New Mexico’s kids.
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How Farm to School is Connecting Michigan Kids to Healthy Food
In Michigan, service members, local farmers, legislators and a school chef are teaming up to get kids excited about healthy, local foods.
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Report: How Schools Have Worked Together to Feed Kids During COVID-19
We wanted to learn how school communities are keeping kids fed during these challenging times. Here are the mid-year findings.
Read more