Renfrew Collingwood Food Security Institute: The Food Security Institute is Hiring

Jaime and Crecien potting up sunchokes (Jerusalem artichokes).

Thanks to our wonderful Rooftop Garden leadership team, the garden is in full swing. We have been harvesting herbs, radishes, mixed Asian greens, and heirloom varieties of lettuce for use in our community food programs. Rooftop Garden drop-in time (Wednesday evenings 5-7pm) is the perfect time to enjoy our food-producing urban oasis. Look around, take in the sights and smells, share some new gardening skills, and help out our community by contributing some time to the garden!

Scroll down to see a few recent rooftop photos.

Sustainable Urban Agriculture and Food Security Practicum Opportunity

Renfrew Collingwood Food Security Institute
c/o Collingwood Neighbourhood House
5288 Joyce. St, Vancouver BC
V5R 6C9, 604-435-0323

Term: 10-week summer student position

Level of education: Secondary or post-secondary with an interest in planning, geography, social work, environmental sciences, agriculture/land and food systems,
anthropology.

Projected start date: Last week of June 2010

Description of Organization: The Renfrew Collingwood Food Security Institute (RC FSI) is a non-profit organization established in 2002. We support and encourage initiatives focused on organic growing, healthful cooking, harvesting, sharing of food knowledge and resources, leadership development, and capacity building. The RCFSI works in collaboration with Collingwood Neighbourhood House to develop community learning, leadership, and networking around the issues of food security and food sovereignty through a community development model.

We believe that food is a human right, and that the “right to food” means more than meeting basic nutritional requirements. We use food as a meeting point for community capacity building, inter-cultural and inter-generational understanding, and making Renfrew Collingwood a place of safety and belonging.

Description of Roles and Responsibilities:
• Assist the Coordinator in promoting and developing food and food growing programs and resources, including rooftop gardening, community kitchens, and mason bee monitoring
• Facilitate or co-facilitate cooking and food preservation workshops with participants
• Work with volunteers and leadership teams to harvest and/or collect locally produced fruits and vegetables for distribution to low-income residents
• Document residents’ food traditions through photography, interviews, and storytelling transcription. Examples include immigrants’ gardening practices and Aboriginal food traditions
• Help map community food resources and facilitate participatory initiatives through volunteer support and leadership teams
• Assist in hosting community celebrations and educational events around organic food growing and sustainable food systems
• Assist in website/blog content development and maintenance
• Document and evaluate progress of work through weekly reports to supervisor

Specific Qualifications: Due to restrictions from HRSDC funding, the suitable candidates must be 15-30 years of age, legally able to work in Canada, and have been in full-time studies in the previous year and be returning to full time studies in the fall of 2010.

Preferred Qualifications Include:
• Knowledge and passion for food issues and urban agriculture
• Familiarity with "food security" and "food sovereignty" issues
• Experience working with/leading volunteer teams
• Organizational and time management skills
• Willingness to work flexible hours including weekends and evenings
• Ability to work independently
• Preference will be given to persons living in the Renfrew-Collingwood Neighbourhood

Training Provided:
• Program development and delivery
• Community development models for sustainable agriculture practices, food sharing, and related issues
• Skills around gardening, food preservation, leadership, and participatory workshop facilitation
• Opportunity to achieve Food Safe Level 1 certificate

Compensation: $8.50/hr + benefits (35 hrs/week; 10 weeks)
This position is subject to funding through HRSDC Canada.

Closing Date: June 17 2010

We thank all individuals who apply for this position, and will be contacting shortlisted candidates directly. No phone calls please.

Please send resume and cover letter to foodsecurity[at]cnh.bc.ca
Attention: Stephanie Lim.