Lunch Across America

From museum magic to school lunch makeovers, this episode dishes up a coast-to-coast journey with The Henry Ford’s Spence Medford and Christy Sherding. Discover how a historic innovation hub is shaking up school meals, spotlighting edible education, and launching a national movement—complete with chefs, students, and a documentary premiere. Hungry for change? Grab your lunch tray and tune in! J. Spencer “Spence” Medford is a nationally recognized nonprofit executive with nearly three decades of experience leading high-impact initiatives across philanthropy, cultural engagement, and education. He currently serves as Senior Vice President and Chief Advancement Officer at The Henry Ford, one of the nation’s foremost cultural institutions, where he is a member of the executive leadership team helping to manage a $91 million operating budget and a multi-venue campus that attracts 1.7 million annual visitors. At The Henry Ford, Medford oversees the institution’s external relations strategy—including philanthropy, government relations, education, and community partnerships—and contributes to shaping brand identity, institutional planning, and national visibility. He previously oversaw marketing and communications during a period of organizational transformation. Medford led The Henry Ford’s $166 million Innovation Project campaign, exceeding its original $150 million goal, and is currently directing fundraising for the $30 million Jackson Home project, an effort to relocate and interpret the historic Selma home of the Jackson family in Greenfield Village. He also co-founded Farm to School Lunch Across America, a Clinton Global Initiative Commitment to advocate for school-supported agriculture nationally, and led the effort to create the Carver-Carson Society, a philanthropic community focused on food, agriculture, and environmental sustainability. His leadership of Invention Convention Worldwide has expanded the program to 30+ regions across the U.S., serving K–12 students through invention education. Christy Sherding Director of Donor Relations and Engagement and Edible Education Leader, The Henry Ford Christy Sherding is Director of Donor Relations and Engagement and an Edible Education Leader at The Henry Ford. Sherding was appointed Director, Donor Relations and Engagement in September 2021 but has worked for The Henry Ford in various capacities since 2018. Her career experience also includes consultant work at PJH & Associates, Inc., Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY, and Doing Development Different in Metro Detroit. She was a Fulfillment Coordinator for The Fulkerson Group and worked on events such as 2021 Detroit Jazz Fest and Motor Bella 2021. Sherding was a Special Events 2023 Gala Award Finalist for her work on the Carver-Carson Society Moveable Feast and Award Dinner Honoring Alice Waters. She has been deeply involved in The Henry Ford’s edible education initiatives and the formation, activities, and growth of the Carver-Carson Society. Sherding has been key in the creation of THFs Farm to School Lunch Across America program which was launched as a pilot in 2024. She worked throughout 2024 as the initiative’s impact experience producer executing events in seven different schools focusing on highlighting their participation in school supported agriculture. Additionally, she managed a film crew from WTP to document her travels with the program. That content has since been turned into a 45-minute documentary called The Henry Ford’s Farm to School Lunch Across America: Innovation in America’s School Lunchrooms. The documentary is premiering on Monday, October 27th, 2025. Sherding earned her degree in Public Relations from Eastern Michigan University. Sherding has served on the Board of Directors for Dearborn Public Library Foundation and on the Derby for Kids Emerging Leaders Committee for Children’s Foundation Detroit. She is married and the mom to two girls, a boy and a pug. initiated the Francis Ford at The Henry Ford film retrospective and partnered with leading figures in film, food, and civic engagement to bring fresh energy and visibility to the institution. Prior to joining The Henry Ford in 2010, Medford held senior development roles at Swedish Covenant Hospital, the University of Illinois at Chicago, Northwestern Memorial Foundation, and DePaul University, where he earned his B.A. in American Studies. He has raised over $200 million across sectors and is known for his ability to create mission-aligned programs, secure transformational gifts, and engage diverse communities through thoughtful storytelling and authentic partnerships. Medford previously served on the boards of Literacy Chicago and Henry Ford Academy and is a member of the Detroit Athletic Club and the Association of Fundraising Professionals. The Henry Ford Lunch Across America Lunch across america press release Press release #2 Carver Carson Society Henry Ford Academy We would love to hear from you! Send us a message.