Food Literacy Corps members deliver dynamic, fun cooking and nutrition classes to low-income communities in Sacramento, with a focus on K-6 elementary school children in afterschool programs. You’ll joyfully introduce the students to new fruits and vegetables, teach them simple, accessible recipes, and empower them to improve their health long-term by changing their knowledge, behavior and attitude around healthy foods. Additionally, members recruit and engage community volunteers
Service Activities
As a Food Literacy Corps member, you’ll engage in the following activities:
-Lesson Delivery: Delivering Food Literacy Center’s engaging 14 week curriculum to afterschool programs. Working with large and small groups of K-6 school age children. Lead activities, produce tastings, teach cooking lessons.
-Lesson Preparation: Prepare activities in advance of the lessons. Review and practice lessons with your team. Prep foods using food safe techniques.
-Outreach: Participate in community events with the goal to engage more community volunteers.
-Data collection: Collect data about program success, including student surveys and assessments and volunteer outreach and community events. Complete data entry projects.
-Professional Development: Participate in a wide range of professional development opportunities and trainings.
Community Need Addressed
Only 4% of American children eat their recommended servings of daily vegetables. 38% of California children are overweight. Researchers believe we have two generations of Americans who do not know how to cook. Meanwhile, the entire global food chain may account for a third of what’s heating our planet. Our current food system is taking a toll on our health, the environment, our kids and the economy.
Position Outcomes
Our goals include reducing childhood obesity and improving healthy eating habits among low-income children, increasing environmental stewardship and supporting community development that sustains healthy food choices in communities of highest need. Our goal is also for kids to have fun and develop love for healthy food that creates a lifetime of healthy habits.
Benefits
Childcare assistance if eligible, Education award upon successful completion of service, Health coverage, Living allowance, Student loan forbearance, Training
Food Literacy Corps members receive a stipend of $13,700 that will be paid in biweekly installments over the course of the 11-months of service, in addition to optional health insurance coverage, childcare benefits (if eligible) and mileage reimbursement. Upon successful completion of the program, members are eligible for an Education Award of $5,920 provided through AmeriCorps.
Education Benefits
Food Safe Handler Certification
Skills you will gain
cultural competency, time management, public speaking, classroom facilitation, cooking, data collection, program evaluation
Competencies You Will Develop
Communication
Demonstrate sensitivity and empathy, Lead group discussion, Listen to and consider others' viewpoints, Maintain open lines of communication with others, Speak clearly, in precise language and in a logical, organized and coherent manner
Creativity & Problem Solving
Able to identify and define the problem, Capable of generating possible solutions, Communicate the problem to appropriate personnel, Improvise
Teamwork
Develop constructive working relationships and maintain them over time, Establish a high degree of trust and credibility with others, Interact professionally and respectfully with supervisors and co-workers, Stay positive and outcome oriented, Use appropriate strategies and solutions for dealing with conflicts and differences to maintain a smooth workflow
Decisions
Accepts responsibility, Identify and prioritize the key issues involved to facilitate the decision making process, Quickly respond with a back-up plan if a decision goes amiss
Tools
Operate tools and equipment in accordance with established operating procedures, safety standards, and ethical guidelines, Seek opportunities to improve knowledge of tools and technologies that may assist in streamlining work and improving productivity
Planning
Able to prioritize various competing tasks, Create environment of contribution, Create plan of action, schedule tasks so that work is completed on time, Demonstrate the effective allocation of time and resources efficiently, Facilitate group planning
Service
Be pleasant, courteous, professional and respectful when dealing with internal and external customers or clients, Honor the privilege of being able to work with and for those being served, Understand and anticipate the needs of others, Understand the importance of one's role in the functioning of the organization, Understand the significance of maintaining a healthful and safe environment