The Food Bank Network of the San Luis Valley (FBNSLV) and the Valley Educational Gardens Initiative (VEGI) are programs of La Puente Home, Inc., located in southcentral Colorado. The Food Bank Network addresses the immediacy of hunger with emergency food services and nutrition education through a network of 14 food pantries. VEGI operates school and community gardens, as well as providing education for youth on nutrition and gardening to alleviate long-term and root causes of hunger and malnutrition. The Healthy Food Access Coordinator will work under the FBNSLV and VEGI directors, to facilitate increased access to and knowledge of healthy food throughout the region. This position entails working with local community stakeholders to bolster programming and outreach efforts, assisting with fundraising efforts for both programs, streamlining and strengthening the food procurement process within the food pantry network, and further developing and supporting educational materials and programs. During a typical week, the volunteer will serve 8 hours a day, 5 days a week (M-F). Occasional weekend and evening hours will be required for special events and seasonal needs.

Community Engagement and Outreach:

• Support satellite pantry needs
• Develop and strengthen relationships with ongoing partners and stakeholders (schools, community agencies, local farms, and businesses)
• Ensure satellite food bank visibility online and in local community directories, hubs
• Map FBNSLV and VEGI's presence in the San Luis Valley
• Assist with planning and coordinating regular annual events
• Work with Directors and partner food-based organizations to develop one-time and ongoing educational workshops
• Update social media, support communications with local media outlets, contribute articles, content, photos and information about projects and events in collaboration with La Puente's Community Education department

Program Development:

• Support grant writing and reporting efforts of both VEGI and FBNSLV
• Work with La Puente's Development department to research and write collaborative grants
• Develop and synthesize new and existing programs by researching resource bank
• Support everyday operations as needed

Food Procurement:

• Establish connections that strengthen local pantry/garden relations throughout the valley
• Develop local farm contacts and solicit donations
Support the 6-week Fall Gleaning Project

Education:

• Leverage opportunities for nutrition and cooking education for clients and community members through the food banks and garden sites
• Coordinate with AmeriCorps members to increase effectiveness and frequency of sample recipe program