LunchLAB Volunteer — Growing Chefs

Position title: LunchLAB Volunteer

Position location: Lord Roberts Elementary School and John Norquay Elementary School

Assignment goal: 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!

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.

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:
– 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 Thursdays 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.