Oakland Unified’s Health and Wellness Unit / Central Kitchen and Education Center houses FoodCorps programming, and its overall vision is to run programs that encourage environment, food and garden access and programming. OUSD has a long-standing commitment to farm to school programming and local procurement including CA Thursdays and Harvest of the Month at FoodCorps schools with ongoing expansion across the district. 2021 saw the launch of The Center, OUSD’s new central kitchen, instructional farm, and food education hub with the goal of further deepening students’ connection to place, food, and community. FoodCorps Members bring this work and vision into action with day to day lessons and service. For more information on our programming, please visit this website: https://sites.google.com/ousd.org/thecenteredprogramming

FoodCorps members in Oakland are placed at elementary schools or at a district position based at The Center. Corps members lead hands-on nutrition and garden education, support taste tests and Harvest of the Month programming, are fully embedded into district Environment, Food & Garden initiatives, and receive ongoing professional development and support throughout the year through cohort-wide meetings and connection with district staff.

Becoming a corps member in California connects you to a legacy and future of innovative farm to school programming, vibrant school communities, and equitable access to nourishing school meals. FoodCorps California members are part of a large cohort partnering in communities across the state. California corps members are important members of the school and district community, lead nutrition and garden lessons, promote social and emotional wellness, and support initiatives such as School Meals For All, California Thursdays/California Food for California Kids, and Harvest of the Month programs by running taste tests, supporting meal programs, and making mealtime an educational and socially fulfilling time.