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Applications are due May 27, 2022. Interested candidates should apply at FoodCorps website at www.foodcorps.org/apply/
FoodCorps is a nationwide team of AmeriCorps leaders that connects kids to locally grown food in schools. For close to ten years, FoodCorps has partnered with Massachusetts communities to place emerging leaders in schools to teach food and nutrition education, support school gardens, and introduce and expose children to new foods in the cafeteria. We do that by placing motivated leaders in diverse communities for a year of public service.
FoodCorps School Nutrition Pilot Program supports district-wide school nutrition departments to increase local sourcing, expand culturally relevant menus, and facilitate community-wide school meal engagement through social media, informational resources, and community initiatives.
Lowell Public Schools is the most diverse school district in the state, providing a high quality education to children from families who represent over 20 different countries and speak 17 different languages. The district’s Food and Nutrition Services (LPSFNS) meets the needs of their student body by serving a dynamic, culturally responsive menu paired with nutrition education and promotional programming for students K-12 seeking an inclusive, healthy, tasty experience in their school cafeterias.
To be considered for a FoodCorps service member position, you must:
- Be 18 years or older by the start of your service term
- Be a legal, permanent resident of the United States
- Hold a high school diploma, GED or equivalent
- Have reliable access to a car
LPSFNS is looking to host two School Nutrition Service Members who serve at a district level alongside the LPSFNS Management Team. These members are instrumental in cultivating the district’s nutrition educational programs, food promotion materials, student menu feedback initiatives and farm to school goals. Day to day activities for a FoodCorps member in Lowell may include:
- Support the school district’s transition to reformed nutrition programs and school menus with new executive chef
- stopping by a kitchen to support a Food Service Worker as they trial a new recipe for the lunch menu;
- Support the training of kitchen staff to make more culturally relevant meals
- hanging out in a cafeteria to help students vote on their favorite lunch item;
- gathering footage for a new YouTube promotional video or instagram post – including touring a local farm, cooking a Harvest of the Month recipe or interviewing a food service staff for a spotlight;
- managing what fruits and vegetables are highlighted weekly at a local elementary school as part of its Fresh Fruits and Vegetables program;
- teaching an afterschool cooking and garden club with 10 5th graders; attending a Family Open House and handing out new menu item samples.
- Get active in local food politics and relevant food justice activities.
- As demonstrated, FoodCorps Members at Lowell Public Schools have a rich work plan that includes both hands-on programming, food preparation and teaching alongside food service colleagues, teachers, or
- community members as well as independent projects such as social media campaigns or food service data analysis that can be done solo, remotely, or in collaboration with your FoodCorps colleague.
- Passion for connecting children to the joy and power of food
- Commitment to working with underserved youth
- Motivation to serving full-time in a diverse community for a year
- Perseverance in the face of challenges and creativity in finding solutions
- Desire to gain hands-on experience in food justice
- Respect for diversity of opinion, experience, and background
- Demonstrated commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion in all aspects of your work
- Self-starter comfortable with both independent and collaborative work
- Commitment to working alongside and elevating Lowellian voices to grow the district’s food and nutrition initiatives.
- Background in communications, particularly social media management
- Interest/experience in graphic design
- Interest in how school meals are made and food production
- Interest/experience in working with children, K-5
- Experience distilling information to audiences of all ages
- Experience working in or studying food systems, agriculture, public health, education, school nutrition, culinary arts, community organizing, and/or public service
- Interest/Experience working in a dynamic and fast-paced environment
- Familiarity with New England and Lowell specifically is a plus
- Bilingual in Spanish, Khmer, Arabic, Swahili, Portuguese, Burmese is a plus
- Up to $32,500 living stipend pre-tax, paid bi-weekly*
- $6,495 pre-tax AmeriCorps Segal Education Award, upon successful completion of your term of service
- Health insurance**
- Partial childcare reimbursement, if you qualify
- Student loan forbearance, if you qualify
- Access to a robust training, mentorship, and professional development program
- Hands-on experience and training in the food justice sector
- Access to a large network of FoodCorps Alumni and leaders in food justice
*Massachusetts Service Members earn $32,500 based on cost of living
**Participation in the FoodCorps health insurance option is required if you cannot provide proof of existing coverage.
In order to successfully complete your term of service, you must, at a minimum, serve 1,700 allowable hours. The service duration is August 8, 2022 – July 7, 2023.
FoodCorps service members report to the designated supervisor at their service site. FoodCorps state and national staff provide additional guidance and oversight.
Service members are expected to abide by rules of conduct set forth in their member contract and will be evaluated for performance twice during the term: at the midpoint and end of service. Performance is evaluated based on progress toward achieving goals set forth in your unique service plan as well as general professional conduct in the service environment. Service members who break the rules of conduct may be suspended and/or terminated at any time.
All FoodCorps service members must pass a three-part background check to be eligible for service, including clearing the National Sex Offender Public Registry, state background checks in your state of service and residence at time of application, and an FBI criminal history check (fingerprint-based).
This position includes access to vulnerable populations (individuals with disabilities, senior citizens, and/or youth). To successfully perform their duties, service members must be able to stand for extended periods of time to teach; supervise groups of children in- and outdoors; perform manual labor in the school garden, including digging, getting up and down, lifting garden equipment; aid children in the garden; coordinate and organize meetings; recruit and manage volunteers; and travel to and from National Orientation and Gatherings as required.
Your position is unique to AmeriCorps and does not displace organization staff or volunteers.
FoodCorps is an equal opportunity organization and we respect diversity. FoodCorps does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, race, color, creed, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, alienage or citizenship, disability, marital status, military or veteran status, or any other legally recognized protected basis under federal, state, or local laws, regulations or ordinances.
FoodCorps provides reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees as required by law. Applicants with disabilities may request reasonable accommodation at any point in the employment process.
All service positions at FoodCorps are at-will. Service positions, though designed to last for one year, are not guaranteed for a set period of time. Both service members and FoodCorps have the right to terminate the position at any time. FoodCorps reserves the right to conduct employment, education, and background checks upon which your position may be contingent.
Because we prioritize the health of communities and kids, FoodCorps has decided to require COVID- 19 vaccination for staff and service members, to the extent permitted by applicable federal, state, and local law. We came to this decision after much discussion and consultation and recognize that some people and partners might have to make tough decisions because of it. More information about this requirement and the exemption process to apply for a legally-required exception to the vaccination requirement will be provided during onboarding, should you receive an offer from FoodCorps.
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