Niche volunteering: FoodCorps

Inspired by Americorps and other service-year programs, sustainable food leaders have inaugurated the planning process of FoodCorps

FoodCorps is a project of the National Farm to School Network, a joint program of the Center for Food and Justice at Occidental College and the Community Food Security Coalition. This collaborative planning process, which has already tapped into the knowledge of over 60 leaders in nutrition, education, and local food systems, is being led a power team of Curt Ellis (filmmaker, King Corn), Cecily Upton (formerly Slow Food USA), Crissie McMullan (National Center for Appropriate Technology), Jerusha Klemperer (Slow Food USA), and Debra Eschmeyer (National Farm to School Network).

The program addresses the multi-faceted obesity epidemic "with a mechanism that, as philosopher Wendell Berry says, “solves for pattern.” The simple tool of a schoolyard garden positively addresses six of the eight contributing factors to obesity identified by the CDC. Gardens that engage children provide better food choices, encourage physical activity, reduce sedentary behavior, and lead to healthier environments at home, at school, and in the community."

FoodCorps leaders are dreaming of planting young adults in communities for a yearlong term of public service - focusing on school food systems. "FoodCorps members will build Farm to School supply chains, expand food system and nutrition education programs, and build and tend school food gardens."

I'm happy to throw my weight behind a program that focuses on "increasing the health and prosperity of vulnerable children while investing in the next generation of farmers." Young people, particularly passionate ones who see connections between poverty, health, and food systems, will love this program, particularly since this generation faces the conundrum of few jobs

And my generation sure loves to volunteer.