FoodCorps School Nutrition Service Member

Who We Are

FoodCorps partners with schools and communities to nourish kids’ health, education, and sense of belonging so that every child, in every school, experiences the joy and power of food. Our AmeriCorps members serve alongside educators and school nutrition professionals to provide kids with nourishing meals, food education, and culturally affirming experiences with food that celebrate and nurture the whole child. Building on this direct service, FoodCorps advocates for policy change, grows networks, and develops leaders in service of every kid’s health and wellbeing. Our goal is that by 2030, every child will have access to food education and nourishing food in school!

What We’re Looking For

• Passion for building a nourishing school food environment
• Demonstrated leadership aptitude and effective communication skills
• Motivation and commitment to serve full-time directly in a community
• Self-determination and initiative in the face of challenges while working creatively to find solutions
• Respect for diversity of opinion, experience, and background
• Display a growth mindset by willing to grow through coaching and implementation of feedback
• Knowledge of the culture, history, and/or language of the communities we serve
• Desire to collaborate with those who provide hands-on food education

To be considered for a FoodCorps service member position, you must:

• Be 18 years or older by the start of your service term
• Be a legal, permanent resident of the United States
• Hold a high school diploma, GED or equivalent

Individual service positions differ by location. There may be additional requirements, such as language proficiencies and access to a vehicle, depending on the site to which you apply.

What You’ll Do

Service members work with schools, service site organizations and local communities to promote nourishing school food environments. They do this in a variety of ways:

Essential Functions

• Establish and support feedback loops, coordinate student-led advisory groups and collaborate with other service members on school meals related projects. Contribute to the operational aspect of local procurement efforts that support menu development 
• Advance and promote nourishing school meals through collaboration with food service staff, coordinating and supporting skill-building for school staff, and contributing to community partnerships that support school meal initiatives. 
• Coordinate parent/community advisory groups, improving communication and perception of school meals between the nutrition department and school community, and engage with the community through event coordination and participation. 
• Support holistic social and emotional development, empower students and celebrate cultural identity/practices, center justice and support consumption of nourishing meals. 
• Participate in FoodCorps training around family engagement, and anti-racism in service. 

Non-Essential Functions

• Provide direct support to the food service operation including food preparation and service, maintaining safety and sanitation standards, recordkeeping and lifting heavy boxes.
• Stay abreast of relevant USDA regulations that affect the operational aspect of their school nutrition program.
• Work with garden equipment and supplies such as shovels, wheelbarrows, soil, seeds and knives. 
• Raising resources or grant writing including keeping up to date records and coordinating grantees on updates and storytelling. 

What You’ll Gain

• Up to $33,000 living stipend for Service Members, paid bi-weekly. 
• $7,395 AmeriCorps Segal Education Award, upon successful completion of your term of service
• Health insurance*
• Partial childcare reimbursement, if you qualify
• Student loan forbearance, if you qualify
• Training, mentorship, and professional development opportunities

*Participation in the FoodCorps health insurance option is required if you cannot provide proof of existing coverage.

Where You’ll Serve

FoodCorps offers the School Nutrition service positions in multiple states. To see our local Service Sites, visit: https://foodcorps.org/apply/where-youll-serve/.  

Selected service members can apply for funding to help minimize the cost of housing or moving expenses as you transition to FoodCorps service through the Service Member Support Fund. 

The Details

In order to successfully complete your term of service, you must, at a minimum, serve 1,700 allowable hours.  The service duration is August 5, 2024 – July 4, 2025.

FoodCorps service members report to the designated supervisor at their service site. FoodCorps state and national staff provide additional guidance and oversight.

Service members are expected to abide by rules of conduct set forth in their member contract and will be evaluated for performance twice during the term: at the midpoint and end of service. Performance is evaluated based on progress toward achieving goals set forth in your unique service plan as well as general professional conduct in the service environment. Service members who break the rules of conduct may be suspended and/or terminated at any time.

FoodCorps is a proud member of the AmeriCorps network. All FoodCorps service members are full-time AmeriCorps members and are therefore bound by AmeriCorps rules and regulations, including abiding by AmeriCorps prohibited activities and ensuring that volunteers abide by prohibited activities, which can be found in your member contract and your FoodCorps Service Member Manual. See www.americorps.gov for more information about AmeriCorps service.

All FoodCorps service members must pass a three-part background check to be eligible for service, including clearing the National Sex Offender Public Registry, state background checks in your state of service and residence at time of application, and an FBI criminal history check (fingerprint-based). This position includes access to vulnerable populations (individuals with disabilities, senior citizens, and/or youth). To successfully perform their duties, service members must be able to stand for extended periods of time to teach; supervise groups of children in- and outdoors; perform manual labor in the school garden, including digging, getting up and down, lifting garden equipment; aid children in the garden; coordinate and organize meetings; recruit and manage volunteers; and travel to and from National Orientation and Gatherings as required.

Your position is unique to AmeriCorps and does not displace organization staff or volunteers.

FoodCorps is an equal opportunity organization and we respect diversity. FoodCorps does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, race, color, creed, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, alienage or citizenship, disability, marital status, military or veteran status, or any other legally recognized protected basis under federal, state, or local laws, regulations or ordinances. 

FoodCorps provides reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees as required by law. Applicants with disabilities may request reasonable accommodation at any point in the employment process.