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In what is becoming one of the most time-honored and important SFA traditions, our 4th-annual Encuentro - a national gathering of the SFA network - will be held in Immokalee from Thursday, September 18 through Sunday, September 21, 2008.
In the wake of the landmark Burger King campaign victory, the 2008 Encuentro will be more important than ever as we plan, strategize, and build relationships for the next year (and beyond) in the Campaign for Fair Food.
As students and young people, our organizing is essential to the success of the broader campaign, and each year the Encuentro gives us the opportunity to meet face-to-face to lay the groundwork for that organizing.
Please apply to attend the 2008 Encuentro and come be a part of this process, whether you’ve been around since the Taco Bell boycott or just became involved more recently. (Due to limited resources and the constraints of holding a national conference in a place like Immokalee, we can only accept a limited number of participants. The application process ensures that those who attend the Encuentro are representative of SFA, in many senses of the word.)
For more information, check out http://www.sfalliance.org/2008encuentro.html
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Full-time, permanent senior position
Background:
Food First, the City of Oakland and various community-based organizations (CBOs) are collaborating to build greater food security and a sustainable city food system by the establishment of an Oakland Food Policy Council (OFPC) to advance public policies that favor locally-owned neighborhood food systems.
The Food Policy Council will seek to: increase food security, build greater public health, support local agriculture, promote energy efficiency, reduce energy consumption, protect environmental resources, promote a “closed-loop” food system, promote local economic development, and increase public “food literacy.”
The Food Policy Council Coordinator should provide structure, vision, and direction for the Council. The Food Policy Council Coordinator will engage government, communities and the private sector in Oakland to develop a strategic plan for a sustainable food system; will actively advocate for and support implementation of new and existing food policies and programs, will raise funds for the OFPC.
Principal duties:
- Will work closely with the City of Oakland, Alameda County, the HOPE Collaborative and local CBOs to establish the Oakland Food Policy Council as an inclusive social mechanism for advancing healthy, vibrant and sustainable food systems in Oakland.
- Consult with Oakland neighborhood associations, local CBOs, the HOPE Collaborative, city, county and state offices to determine the best policies and actions for a fair, sustainable, economically vibrant food system for Oakland;
- Develop annual Strategic Plan for Oakland’s food system development, in consultation with neighborhoods, CBOs, the HOPE Collaborative, the private sector and government offices.
- Draft papers and reports for the Oakland City Council regarding policies and actions to advance the Strategic Plan;
- Serve as a liaison between different actors and institutions in the Oakland Food System
- Formulate a 3-year budget and raise funds for the full operation of the OFPC
Qualifications:
The successful candidate will be extensively familiar with urban food systems, poverty, food security, and health and food justice issues. They will possess excellent networking, community relations and writing skills. Leadership, self-motivation and the ability to coordinate work with collaboratives, neighborhood groups, and government officials a must. Prior work experience will include 5 years minimum:
- Working in Bay Area food systems within the city, county, CBO, or private sector.
- Policy analysis, formulation and development
- Community development (food, health, youth, housing, etc.)
- Fundraising
Salary commensurate with experience.
How to Apply:
Please send email your resume, cover letter, salary requirements and a writing sample to
For further background information see the 2006 Oakland Food Assessment http://oaklandfoodsystem.pbwiki.com/ or visit our website at http://www.foodfirst.org.
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Description: What can we learn about the importance of dining together by exploring etiquette books? Sociologist and food studies scholar Alice Julier will discuss her research into historical and contemporary etiquette books written for white and black audiences. She explores the similarities and differences in meal and dinner forms in order to understand the significance of these “commensal relationships” for Euro-whites and African Americans.
The talk will be followed by Q&A and an informal reception.
Wednesday, July 30
6:00 p.m.
Boston University
808 Commonwealth Avenue
Room 117
617-353-9852
This event is free and open to the public, but please RSVP to: cularts@bu.edu
Presented by the MLA in Gastronomy Program at Boston University
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DEADLINE EXTENDED TO August 4th!
The Harvest Awards honor individuals, organizations, and businesses across the United States that do an exceptional job of supporting sustainable agriculture and regional food systems. Do you know visionary farmers who not only raise amazing food but have also developed innovations in growing, marketing, and collaborating with their community in new and exciting ways? Are there inventive individuals, organizations or businesses in your community who are developing cutting-edge models to connect people and sustainable, regionally-produced food?
Please help us recognize outstanding work from around the country by nominating someone whose work you admire. This year’s categories include:
- Farmer Award
- Connecting Communities, Farmers, and Food Award
- Wave of the Future Award
- Good Food for Health Award
Please visit our website www.glynwood.org for nomination details and to make an electronic submission. To receive nomination forms via snail mail, please contact Kim Vargo at or (845) 265-3338 ext. 131. Additional information about Glynwood Center and past Harvest Award winners can also be found on our website. Nominations must be postmarked or e-mailed no later than August 4, 2008.
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Registration form on website http://www.thefoodproject.org/blast/internal1.asp?ID=179
Throughout the year, The Food Project hums like a complex ecosystem: all different pieces of the organization work together and complement each other to provide youth and community with a sustainable food system and a sense of social awareness. But how does it all work? What is the recipe for success in farming, youth development AND social change?
This July, we will answer these questions when we open our doors for the “Summer Institute.” This three-day workshop offers a rare chance to see the intimate details of The Food Project’s inner workings. The Summer Institute is an engaging, interactive learning experience for anyone interested in the issues of youth, land, food and community.
Day 1:
Our first day will be split between two topics: mission-based management and production agriculture with youth. The first part of the day will be spent training participants on the tools and artistry needed to run a high participation, mission-driven organization. We will discuss what it takes personally, philosophically, and professionally to create and sustain an organization.
The second half of this day will focus on running a production farm with young people. Our Director of Agriculture will lead a hands-on training based in our rural fields and greenhouse. It will include the practices one needs to involve youth in a productive farming operation.
Days 2 and 3:
The next two days of this Institute allow participants to experience The Food Project’s Summer Youth Program first-hand. This program is our beginning program for youth engaged in community development through food systems work. For over ten years, many people have asked to see this innovative program in action. In this segment of the training, you will learn about the program’s structure, farm side by side with teens, attend a community lunch, watch teens run our farmers market in the city, and engage your peers about how to create effective youth in food systems programs in your community.
This three-day workshop promises to be interactive, intimate, and experiential. Enrollment is limited to 25 participants. We will accept applications on a first come, first serve basis.
For more information on TFP’s Summer Institute, please contact Maggie Mathew at or call 781-259-8621 x22.
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Cirque du Soleil is generously putting on a benefit performance of KOOZA, its latest show, on Friday, September 12 at the Bayside Expo Center. Each ticket is $100 and all of the proceeds support The Food Project and its youth programs.
Check out this page for more information or contact Jen James to purchase your tickets today. Don’t miss out on this exciting opportunity!
Jen James: or 781-259-8621 x24.
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Seattle-based Solid Ground is hiring for seven positions with The Apple Corps for 2008-2009 (http://www.solid-ground.org/Programs/Nutrition/applecorps/Pages/default.aspx). Brief position descriptions are below. For additional information on how to apply, please contact Michael Kim,
The Apple Corps, a program of Solid Ground (http://www.solid-ground.org), recruits and trains Americorps national service members to works to reduce hunger, obesity, and poor health in children and families in Seattle and King County through school and community-based efforts. Apply now for the following Apple Corps positions are available for start in September 2008:
School-Based Program Development and Outreach Americorps - Five Americorps members will conduct Apple Corps’ school-based projects to address the root causes of hunger food insecurity, obesity, and poor health in children and families in Seattle and King County. In the schools, Americorps members will work alongside Public Health nutrition educators from the Seattle Nutrition Action Consortium (SNAC). Corps members provide in-class and out-of-school time nutrition education, physical activities, and wellness promotions at Seattle public elementary schools. They also provide resources and technical support to Apple Corps sites to create healthier school and community environments.
Lettuce Link Program Development and Outreach Americorps– One Americorps member will work with Lettuce Link, a Solid Ground program that creates access to fresh, nutritious and organic produce, seeds, and gardening information for low-income families in Seattle. The corps member will work to help expand the availability of fresh, locally grown produce in food banks and meal programs by developing systems and support that enable more community gardeners and fruit tree owners to raise and donate produce. Additionally, the volunteer will help promote food security and backyard gardening through outreach events, seed distribution at food banks, and working at Marra Farm.
P-Patch Program Development and Outreach Americorps– One Americorps member will work with the City of Seattle Department of Neighborhood’s P-Patch program. The P-Patch Program, in conjunction with the not-for-profit P-Patch Trust http://www.ppatchtrust.org, provides organic community garden space for residents of 70 Seattle neighborhoods serving all citizens of Seattle with an emphasis on low-income and immigrant populations and youth. The corps member will work to support the community-based program areas of the P-Patch Program with a special emphasis on youth focused programs. These program areas include: community gardening http://www.seattle.gov/Neighborhoods/ppatch/locations.htm, market gardening http://seattlemarketgardens.org, youth gardening http://www.cultivatingyouth.org/, and food policy http://www.seattle.gov/Neighborhoods/ppatch/foodpolicy.htm, in the City of Seattle.
For more information on how to apply please contact
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Organization Description:
CFSC is the premier national organization promoting innovative community-based solutions to the nation’s food, farming, and nutrition problems. Established in 1994, CFSC has 250 organizational members across the US and Canada. We are dedicated to building strong, sustainable, local and regional food systems that ensure access to affordable, nutritious, and culturally appropriate food to all people at all times. The Coalition achieves its goals through a comprehensive blend of training, networking, and advocacy to further the efforts of grassroots groups to create effective solutions from the ground up. For more on our organization, see http://www.foodsecurity.org.
Job Description:
The Policy Director will direct policy work for both the National Farm to School Network, a collaborative program of the CFSC and the Center for Food & Justice, Occidental College, and the Community Food Security Coalition. S/he works as a team with staff members, and collaborating organizations to formulate and implement strategies to further policy objectives. The Policy Director acts as a conduit to translate policy goals into action by connecting with advocacy groups, policymakers and their staff, and other actors in the domestic policy community. This position requires a high level of autonomy, initiative, and ability to work with a range of players in the policy world.
Responsibilities:
- The Policy Director will work full time to coordinate the CFSC and the National Farm to School Network federal policy programs from our Washington, DC office.
- Identifies and cultivates contacts among research, advocacy, administration and congressional audiences
- Represents CFSC and participates in conferences, coalition meetings and public events
- Plans, coordinates, and hosts events, such as Hill briefings, press conferences, and public debates
- Monitors and tracks policy developments and current issues
- Draft articles, policy analyses, legislation, and other written products as needed
- Directs outreach and organizing efforts to build a national network of activists informed on food and farm policy
- Develops and maintain relations with key partners and networks, coalitions, and organizations critical to the achievement of CFSC policy goals
- Develop and implement federal legislative and administrative policy strategies to move priorities forward
- Manage the policy formation and prioritization process, including regional and state outreach
- Work with policy committees, direct policy program staff and interns
Qualifications:
- Live in the DC area or be willing to move there by September 08
- A minimum of five years experience in federal policy advocacy, including working with Congress and USDA.
- Experience in managing staff, and in working in a collaborative setting
- Experience in organizing toward a policy goal
- Knowledge of and past work experience in nutrition, agricultural or food systems policy
- Masters degree in agriculture, city and regional planning, public health, nutrition, public policy or related field preferred
- Excellent communication and writing skills
- Ability to travel nationally as needed
- Ability to work in an independent office, yet as part of a geographically diverse team.
- Ability to handle multiple projects in a fast moving environment
- Commitment to food security issues a plus
Compensation and Benefits:
Compensation for this position is based on qualifications and experience. CFSC offers excellent health and dental insurance, retirement, flexible holidays, vacation and sick leave benefits.
Application: Send resume, cover letter, salary history, 1-2 short writing samples, and contact information for three references to Andy Fisher at . Deadline for applications is August 8, 2008, with a preferred (but flexible) start date in September 2008.
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This is a full time AmeriCorps position.
Sponsor: Garden of Wonders, Abernethy Elementary School (Portland Public Schools) www.gardenofwonders.org. Contact Tammy Barron, Principal, 503.916.6190, (e-mail preferred).
Project Location: Abernethy Elementary School, 2421 SE Orange, Portland, OR 97214. This position is in partnership with the Northwest Service Academy (NWSA), an AmeriCorps program of ESD112.
Position Summary: The Garden of Wonders is a fully integrated food and garden education project for students in grades K-5. The position of Project Education Coordinator of the Garden of Wonders will provide an AmeriCorps member with the unique opportunity of working with students, educational professionals (primary grades), farmers, chefs and a strong parent community to enhance a systems approach to educating students about the cultural histories of our food, where and how it is grown, and it’s role in sustainable and ecological systems.
General Responsibilities (to include, but not limited to):
- Teach garden-, food- and environmentally-based lessons in the Garden of Wonders and garden classroom
- Coordinate all garden and food-based activities at the school (with Project Director)
- Recruit, Train and Coordinate Volunteers
- Participate in Project development with Leadership Team
- Increase the Visibility of the Project, within the school community, with community partners and other groups with similar projects.
- Evaluate and Communicate the Results of the Project Regularly
- Support a Smooth Transition between AmeriCorps members
- Complete and submit all necessary NWSA/AmeriCorps paperwork and reports in a timely manner.
- Attend and complete all NWSA/AmeriCorps training and service requirements including orientation, trainings, team meetings and national service days.
- Wear an NWSA uniform and/or appropriate identifiers and required safety gear while performing service or attending official events.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience teaching and working with elementary students
- Science, food or agricultural background
- Community building skills
- Current Multnomah County Food Handlers certification.
Position Requirements:
See AmeriCorps Application Page
Member Benefits Include:
A taxable, monthly living allowance, educational award, basic medical insurance, loan forbearance, childcare for those who qualify,
A complete job description and application information can be found at http://northwestserviceacademy.org/positions/PPS_ABR.pdf or www.northwestserviceacademy.org.
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Atlas Farm, certified organic vegetable farm in Deerfield, MA seeks assistant farm manager. We seek applicants interested in learning about running a vegetable farm, and willing to make a multi-year commitment to the farm. We are interested in training the right person and are looking for someone with 1-2 years experience on vegetable farms, some tractor experience and mostly a strong desire to learn. This person would assist the farm owners with all aspects of farm management including production, marketing, equipment work and field crew supervision. We seek someone with a solid work ethic, an attention to detail and a dedication to producting a high quality product. Maybe you’re an apprentice this season and exploring your options for 2009? Or are looking to get back onto a farm and are interested in starting in 2008. Drop us a note.
Competitive salary and benefits and possibility for year round position.
For more information, please see our website, www.atlasfarm.com.
We also have positions open for field crew workers for this season.
To apply please send letter of interest and resume to or mail to Atlas Farm 8 Pine St. South Deerfield, MA 01373. Questions about position should also be directed to .
