Support Growing Chefs’ Chef-in-Residence and Chef Educators as they teach student chefs how to cut, slice, dice, and serve their peers a hot, nourishing lunch at LunchLAB! Check out this short film by CBC Vancouver to get a feel for what LunchLAB looks like at Lord Roberts Elementary School.
LunchLAB volunteer mentoring student chef at John Norquay Elementary School.
Serving 100-200 kids a hot lunch is a big job. And one that we simply couldn’t do without our LunchLAB volunteers. With the support of volunteers like you, our Chefs-in-Residence are freed up to focus on educating student chefs, and feeding all of the hungry mouths that come through the lunchroom!
Position title: LunchLAB Volunteer
Position location: Lord Roberts Elementary School and John Norquay Elementary School
Impact of the role: Serving 100-200 kids a hot lunch is a big job. And one that we simply couldn’t do without our LunchLAB volunteers. With the support of volunteers like you, our Chefs-in-Residence are freed up to focus on educating student chefs, and feeding all of the hungry mouths that come through the lunchroom!
Our mission: Connecting chefs, kids, and communities to foster systemic change towards healthy, sustainable, just food practices.
Key duties and responsibilities:
Adhere to Foodsafe health and safety procedures including proper hand-washing, mask-wearing, and hair protection
Report to and receive directions from Growing Chefs’ Chef-in-Residence and Chef Educators
Assist in setting up, cleaning, and taking down work stations, service stations, and wash stations
Maintain a clean and safe working environment for all
Build and maintain positive relationships with student chefs by embracing values of collaboration, patience, encouragement, and openness
Provide student chefs with direction and support as they slice, dice, chop, pickle, and blend ingredients for lunch service
Encourage student chefs’ participation and celebrate student chefs’ accomplishments
Remind student chefs of knife safety, food safety, and kitchen safety procedures
Assist with preparing food, as directed by the Chef-in-Residence and/or Chef Educator
Clean and put away equipment and dishes from lunch service
Time commitment: At Lord Roberts Elementary School, volunteer shifts are on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10-2, 11-2, or 12-2, depending on the shift that you choose! At John Norquay Elementary School, volunteer shifts are on Wednesdays and Fridays from 10-2, 11-2, or 12-2. Volunteers aren’t expected to make an ongoing commitment to volunteer with us, but the impact on the students is greatest when they get to work with the same people week after week, so volunteering regularly is encouraged and appreciated!
Work environment: Student instruction, food preparation, and mealtime takes place in the lunchroom. At Lord Roberts Elementary School, the lunchroom can only be accessed by a short flight of stairs. At John Norquary Elementary School, the lunchroom is accessible to folks who use mobility aids. Lunchrooms are quite loud during mealtime, which may be distressing for folks with auditory processing disorders.
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 lunchroom, 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 lunchroom. At the orientation, we will introduce our programs and discuss policies, procedures, and behavioural expectations that our volunteers must abide by when working in schools.
Support and supervision: Volunteer teams will work under the supervision of Growing Chefs’ Chef-in-Residence, and Chef Educators while at school. If volunteers need support during their shift, they can ask the Chef-in-Residence or Chef Educators. 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
Learn new cooking skills and techniques from our Chef team
Gain experience working with youth in a school environment
Be a part of our rad community of supporters by attending Growing Chefs’ 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.