Sarah Hallford

Share your military spouse story:
My spouse spent 13 years in the Air Force before he transitioned to the Space Force in 2020. With nearly 18 years (14 for me) of service, we’ve reached a season of life where we’re beginning to think about our forever home, the final chapters of our military journey and the legacy we hope to leave our Space Force community. In our early years, I started a home-based bakery while taking care of our daughter. In this role I found connection with military families and discovered a source of joy not only for myself, but for the community I was part of at Vandenberg SFB. When we moved to the NRO/Ft. Belvoir in 2023, I took a step back to re-evaluate the impact I wanted to make. I began working as a cook at our CDC while studying nutrition through ASU. That experience sparked a deep curiosity about our food system, leading me to complete an eight‑month farming fellowship last year. Most recently, I accepted a position with TAPS, where I am excited to continue serving our military community.

Describe any leadership positions or provide an overview of your leadership contributions within the military community.
During our time at the 328th Weapons School at Nellis AFB, I had the privilege of serving alongside my mentor as a Key Spouse. Being part of that team was a true honor, and it allowed me to help strengthen our community by creating meaningful opportunities for connection among fellow spouses and families.

What programs or projects are you currently involved in that support the needs of military families?
I currently serve as the Fort Belvoir ambassador for Stronghold Food Pantry, representing their mission to support military families in our community. In addition to this role, I dedicate much of my free time to volunteering with other food‑focused nonprofit organizations in the region, including the Arcadia Center for Sustainable Food & Agriculture, the Capital Area Food Bank, and DC Central Kitchen. Each of these organizations plays a vital role in strengthening food access and providing meaningful support to our military families, and I’m grateful to contribute to their efforts.

What moments best reflect your impact on building inclusive community among military spouses?
One of the moments that best reflects my impact on building an inclusive community among military spouses was serving as a Key Spouse at the 328th Weapons School at Nellis AFB. Working alongside my mentor, I focused on creating a welcoming environment for every spouse who was navigating this incredibly demanding and high‑tempo assignment; especially those who were new, overwhelmed, or unsure where they fit in. My home‑based bakery also became an unexpected bridge to connection, allowing me to support families during PCS seasons, celebrations, and challenging transitions. This reinforced my belief that our community is built through simple, genuine acts of care. More recently, my volunteer work for Stronghold Food Pantry and other organizations has helped me reach spouses from diverse backgrounds and has ensured families feel supported regardless of rank or circumstance. Across each chapter of our military journey, my goal has always been to foster belonging, compassion, and community.

Identify your main advocacy effort and describe your personal connection to the cause.
My primary advocacy effort centers on improving food access and strengthening nutritional support for military families. Through my work as the Fort Belvoir ambassador for Stronghold Food Pantry and my volunteer involvement with organizations such as Arcadia Center for Sustainable Food & Agriculture, the Capital Area Food Bank, and DC Central Kitchen, I focus on ensuring that every military family, regardless of rank, income, or circumstance, has access to healthy, reliable, and dignified food resources. My personal connection to this cause comes from nearly two decades as a military spouse and the lived experience of seeing how often families quietly struggle. For years, our family relied on WIC. These experiences showed me that food is more than nourishment, it is community, safety, and a foundation for resilience. Advocating for equitable food access allows me to support military families in a tangible, meaningful way and ensure that no one feels alone in meeting such a basic need.

Summarize your advocacy outreach strategies, including any events, media involvement, or other communication efforts.
Much of my advocacy outreach takes place through my social media platforms, where I highlight the work I do with organizations such as Stronghold Food Pantry, the Arcadia Center for Sustainable Food & Agriculture, the Capital Area Food Bank, and DC Central Kitchen. During my fellowship with Arcadia, I especially enjoyed sharing glimpses of daily farm work, showcasing the produce we were growing, and posting simple, affordable, and nutritious recipes. My goal has always been to create a welcoming space where food feels accessible—both to families facing need and to those who may not feel confident in the kitchen. Through consistent, approachable communication, I aim to make healthy eating and community resources easier for everyone to engage with.

What do you hope to accomplish with the AFI Military Spouse of the Year^® title?
With this title, I hope to amplify the work I am doing to support military families, particularly in the areas of food access, nutrition, and community connection. My goal is to use this platform to bring greater visibility to the challenges many military families face, especially those related to food insecurity. I want to strengthen partnerships between installations, local nonprofits, and community organizations so families know where to turn to for support. This title would also allow me to expand my outreach efforts, share accessible nutrition education, and highlight the incredible work being done by organizations like Stronghold Food Pantry, Arcadia, the Capital Area Food Bank, and DC Central Kitchen. I hope to use this opportunity to foster a more inclusive, connected, and supportive environment for spouses across all branches and backgrounds. Military families deserve to feel seen, valued, and cared for, and I would be honored to use this platform to help make that a reality.