As Farm to School, Farm to Campus and Farm to Healthcare programs are sprouting up all over the country, one would think there are plenty of jobs to be found. However, funds for health promotion, community nutrition, environmental, agricultural, and educational work in Canada are increasingly scarce. Yet not-for-profit agencies count on such funds to support their F2C activity. Thus openings for employment are few. When great jobs do emerge they are often posted in unusual places for a short time period and are scooped up quickly by qualified candidates. My advice to those whose mind, heart, and soul burns to work in this exciting movement…
1) LOOK FOR JOBS IN UNUSUAL PLACES – Workopolis is the last place you are likely to find great Farm to Cafeteria work. Check Farm to Cafeteria Canada’s website regularly as well as the websites of our partner organizations at www.farmtocafeteriacanada.ca. Try green job websites like GOOD WORK CANADA http://www.goodwork.ca/gw.php . And check out social media sites like the Facebook site WORK IN THE FOOD SECTOR https://www.facebook.com/groups/foodwork/
2) PUT YOUR HAND UP AND VOLUNTEER – A lot of people are looking for work out there so direct or related communication, education, capacity building, policy and evaluation experiences are key. While not all internships, practicums and volunteer experiences pay off immediately, many do over the long term.
3) JOIN THE FARM TO CAFETERIA CANADA NETWORK – send a note to farm2cafeteriacanada@gmail.com
