Nourish Iowa: Local Food System Access And Operations Vista

Nourish Iowa: Local Food System Access and Operations VISTA

As a Nourish Iowa VISTA member, you will serve among a cohort of members whose service is building a more equitable food system in Iowa, sponsored by the Center for Energy & Environmental Education at the University of Northern Iowa, and will have frequent opportunities to share knowledge within this community through cohort-wide meetings & site visits. In addition to all standard VISTA benefits, you will engage regularly with leaders in food systems via local, statewide, and national coalitions and associations, in addition to professional development opportunities coordinated by a VISTA Leader in your cohort.

Nourish Iowa members are also eligible for free enrollment in Iowa State University's Local Food Leader certification course. Please visit our website for more openings and information about current living allowance rates and benefits. In this position, you will be placed with Field to Family in Iowa City, a mission-driven nonprofit that provides food system education; supports a shared vision of a community food system that enhances economic, environmental and community health; and expands access to locally produced food for all in the Iowa City/Cedar Rapids region.

Field to Family works to increase access to local food in Iowa so more people in institutions such as schools, retirement communities, colleges, universities, and hospitals can enjoy meals grown by farmers a few miles away everyday. We envision a strong and community-based Eastern Iowa local food system with infrastructure to support a thriving wholesale market for foods from the region that are high quality, fairly priced, and sustainably produced. Your service will contribute to greater equity in Iowa City's local food system for farmers and residents considered Socially Disadvantaged by the USDA. Further help on this page can be found by clicking here.

Member Duties : As a Local Food System Access & Operations VISTA, you will Support Field to Family's goal to build a more local, inclusive, and just food system by expanding access to healthy and local foods for those who are structurally excluded from conventional support systems by improving Field to Family's hub operations & expanding capacity for increased community engagement. You will gain a strong understanding of Field to Family's goals, partners, and programs, particularly food hub operations.

This role will develop your expertise in local food systems, logistics, food safety, and technology. Your service will contribute to the sustainability of Field to Family's volunteer network, including developing a food hub volunteer management plan. You should work well alongside diverse groups of people with accountability & compassion; be eager to establish & maintain positive working relationships; & have an equity centered mindset, excellent communication, & interpersonal & organizational skills

Program Benefits : Living Allowance , Health Coverage* , Training , Stipend , Choice of Education Award or End of Service Stipend , Childcare assistance if eligible , Education award upon successful completion of service , Relocation Allowance .

Terms :

Permits attendance at school during off hours , Permits working at another job during off hours .

Service Areas :

Community and Economic Development , Entrepreneur/Business , Health , Neighborhood Revitalization , Hunger , Technology , Children/Youth , Environment , Education , Community Outreach .

Skills :

Computers/Technology , Urban Planning , Communications , Fund raising/Grant Writing , Team Work , Education , General Skills , Business/Entrepreneur , Community Organization , Recruitment , Conflict Resolution , Public Speaking , Public Health , Writing/Editing , Leadership , Teaching/Tutoring , Non-Profit Management , Law , Social Services , Environment , First Aid .