Follow the BEET!

Did you see our team walking in the Human Race Event on May 4^th? In case you missed us, we were the ones wearing fruit and vegetable shirts and hats!

Our team raised over $4500!!! for the Farmers’ Market Food Stamp Match Program… a program that encourages families to use their CalFresh/EBT funds to purchase fruits, vegetables, meat, and plant starts at the farmers’market… by matching their EBT charges with up to $15 in “farmers’ market bucks”… great for family’s health and great for supporting our local farm businesses!

Our fundraising team was a huge collaboration between local businesses (like local farm vendors, the Westside Renaissance Market, and Parducci Winery), local healthcare clinics and staff (like Hillside Health Clinic and ARCH’s Healthcorps Navigators), local agencies (like NCO and the Planning and Prevention Unit at Mendocino County’s Public Health Dept.), as well as individuals from across the community.

Want to learn more about this program? Interested in donating? Check it out on the Farmers’ Market Food Stamp Match Program webpage.

Become an AmeriCorps with the Gardens Project!

Want to be of service? Improve the health and resilience of our community by boosting the local food system?
Then AmeriCorps HealthCorps is for you!

The Gardens Project is currently recruiting  one AmeriCorps Community HealthCorps member for 2013-2014!

Applications are due May 24th!
 

Position Description: 

* Facilitate the development of community supported and school gardens based on a community ownership model.
* Coordinate a continuously expanding Gardens Network of community and school gardens
* Perform outreach and promote access to existing and new community and school garden programs.
* Increase community and school-based gardening opportunities.
* Research and develop garden, nutrition and garden leadership based educational and training resources
* Develop and manage volunteer Program  

Minimum Qualifications:

* Bilingual in Spanish/English
* Strong writing and oral presentation skills
* Knowledge and experience with gardening/farming, and nutrition education
* Experience working with youth, tutoring, and/or teaching
* Competency in MS Office suite
 

Stipend & Benefits:
 

      * A $12,100 living allowance paid in bimonthly installments
* CalFresh food program (food stamps) benefits of up to $200/month
* Health insurance coverage and child care benefits starting immediately
* May be eligible for a $5,550 education award upon successful completion of term of service
* Student loan forbearance
* Requires a minimum of 1700 service hours over a minimum 10 month term
 

Apply through AmeriCorps at americorps.gov and submit a supplemental application as outlined under the programs tab at ruralcommunityhealth.org

 Contact the Gardens Project if you have additional questions about this local opportunity. 

B.E.A.N.S. is Hiring High School Students!



BEANS teens Devina and Alasia giving out delicious samples at the Willits Food Bank this summer



BEANS (Better Eating, Activity and Nutrition for Students) is hiring responsible and motivated high school students  who are interested in cooking, healthy food and teaching to become Teen Nutrition Advocates in Willits, Ukiah and Fort Bragg.

Earn Community Service Hours, Job Skills, Great Experience for College Applications and $1000!

Click HERE for a full description and application

Find out what we've been doing these past few years HERE

In Fort Bragg?  Click HERE for info on Ft. Bragg BEANS

TELL YOUR FRIENDS!!

Do you want to help our local institutions purchase more local food?

North Coast Opportunities' Community Action Agency is now hiring a Farm to Fork Coordinator!



Specific duties include:

1. Increase the purchase and utilization of fresh, local produce by institutional buyers by at least 10%.
2. Develop & strengthen community resources that will support an infrastructure that will enable institutions to purchase more local foods.
3. Increase the capacity of schools to incorporate specialty crops into meals by arranging for specialized training and support to food service workers.
4. Increase farmers' understanding of and access to institutional markets so they can develop responsive production plans & demonstrate an increase in sales to local institutions and businesses.
5. Complete special projects as assigned or required.
   
6. Align work behaviors in conformance with NCO's Mission, Vision, and Values.

For information about the position, including an application and more detailed job description click here


To view the position listing on NCO's website, click here