FoodCorps is working to improve our food system, one school at a time.

Grantee Profile

FoodCorps is a new nonprofit organization whose mission is to empower a new generation of leaders to help end childhood obesity by connecting vulnerable kids to healthy food. To pursue this work, FoodCorps is launching a national AmeriCorps program that will recruit young leaders for a year of service in high-obesity, limited-resource communities. The organization will apply a public service model proven effective by City Year, AmeriCorps, and Teach for America to the pressing problems of healthy-food access, childhood obesity and diet-related disease. In mid-2012, FoodCorps’ second cohort, comprised of 80 service members and 12 FoodCorps Fellows, newly created statewide staff positions meant to support the service members, began their term of service.  These young leaders commit to a year-long term of public service aimed at improving food education and access in high-obesity, limited-resource schools in 12 states. Working under the direction of local partner organizations, service members build and tend school gardens, expand farm-to-cafeteria sourcing of healthy food, and conduct nutrition education in communities of need.

About Our Grants

The Foundation’s 2014 grant is the first installment of a three-year, $300,000 investment in FoodCorps.  The funds will support FoodCorp’s efforts to give American youth an enduring relationship with healthy food by transforming school food through the hands and minds of emerging leaders.