Lead a hands-on, interactive classroom gardening and cooking program that teaches kids about healthy food and healthy food systems! We believe in the importance of connecting young children to their food through hands-on learning, getting their hands in the dirt, and teaching them how their food choices impact their personal health and the health of the environment. Get kids excited about growing, cooking, and eating good, nutritious food with Growing Chefs!
Chef Jay teaching kids about growing food in the Classroom Gardening and Cooking Program.
Position title: Classroom Gardening and Cooking Program Volunteer
Position location: An elementary school near you! We work with schools all across the Lower Mainland and will pair you with a school that works for you.
Time commitment: Volunteers will facilitate 4 lessons across 4 consecutive weeks. Lessons will run on the same day and at the same time every week, either in the late morning or early afternoon. Volunteers should expect to dedicate 2 hours a week to volunteering in the classroom.
Our mission: Connecting chefs, kids, and communities to foster systemic change towards healthy, sustainable, just food practices.
Why we do it:
To improve the health and nutrition of kids and youth
To make local food accessible and sustainable
To support a healthy, sustainable and just food system
To build community communities through food
Key duties and responsibilities:
Meet with your classroom team in advance of each lesson to review lesson outlines and plan lesson delivery
Adhere to Foodsafe health and safety procedures including proper hand-washing and food handling when preparing and serving food in the classroom
Report to and receive direction from school staff and Growing Chefs’ staff
Maintain a clean and safe learning environment for all
Build and maintain positive relationships with students by embracing values of collaboration, patience, encouragement, and openness
Provide students with direction and support as they slice, dice, chop, pickle, and try new foods
Encourage student participation and celebrate students' curiosity and accomplishments
Adapt lesson delivery to meet the needs of the classroom and students that you are working with, as directed by their classroom teacher
Clean and safely store program equipment in between lessons
Boundaries:
Volunteers are not to take photos of children under any circumstances
Volunteers are to use designated adult washrooms while at school. Growing Chefs staff and/or school staff can direct you to adult washrooms
Volunteers should never be left alone with students. Growing Chefs staff or school staff must always be present
Volunteers are not to administer medication. Growing Chefs staff and school staff are trained to administer emergency medication, if needed
Qualifications:
A love of good food and a passion to share it
A desire to be part of a community
Experience working with children is not required but is an asset
FoodSafe Certification is not required but is an asset
Other requirements:
Before joining us in the classroom, all volunteers must:
Complete a screening call with Growing Chefs staff
Apply for a Vulnerable Sector Check
Attend an orientation session
Provide Growing Chefs with two character references
Orientation and training: All volunteers must attend an orientation before joining us in the classroom. At the orientation, we will introduce our programs and discuss policies, procedures, and behavioral expectations that our volunteers must abide by when working in schools.
Support and supervision: Volunteer teams will work under the supervision of school staff and Growing Chefs staff while at school. If volunteers need support outside of their scheduled shift, they are welcome to reach out to Growing Chefs’ Volunteer Coordinator, Sam, at sam@growingchefs.ca.
Volunteer benefits:
Work on a team of other volunteers who are passionate about supporting food justice and food literacy in Vancouver schools
Gain experience working with youth in a school environment
Develop your classroom management and teamwork skills
Be a part of our rad community of supporters by attending engagement and appreciation events
How to apply: Fill out the application form on our website: https://www.growingchefs.ca/volunteer-with-us/. If you have questions about volunteering with Growing Chefs or need support applying, please email sam@growingchefs.ca.