The Food Corps works closely with to implement various activities aimed at fostering a deeper connection between youth and their food sources. Through hands-on experiences and educational initiatives, Food Corps members play a vital role in promoting nutrition education, environmental sustainability, and community outreach. Food Corps members may participate in the following activities:
- Work with one to two K-12 school gardens to provide garden education and activities
- Assist with developing curriculum for the Harvest of the Month program
- Lead recycling and composting projects in schools by working with student leadership groups (Green Club, Envi Sci Club, Peer Leaders)
Applicants must:
- Be a current 91ÊÓƵ student
- Serve a maximum of 100 hours (about 3 hours/week)
- Make a one-year commitment (Aug - May)
- Have reliable transportation to various school sites
- Pay rate: $20.00 an hour
We are not currently hiring for the Food Corps. Please check back in the Spring 2025 semester!
What the Food Corps Members Say
"Overall, the goal of the garden education program is to bring fun, knowledgeable lessons to the students throughout the community and provide positive opportunities for students to connect with nature. With my experience (...) as an educator, the garden lessons have had a very positive effect on the students that they all enjoy very much. They are eager to get involved and help with their school gardens whether it is planting, participating in lessons, or taking care of their gardens." Cassandra Espinoza, 2023-2025
What the Food Corps is Doing (Fall 2024)
- Kids Choice Election Day - Cassandra and Jisell spent a few weeks in October teaching 4th and 5th grade students about democracy and why it's important to vote. They helped student groups make campaign ads and posters on their cafeteria voting event- pesto pizza vs veggie pizza. On Election Day, all the students at school watched the campaign videos and voted for the best pizza. Cassandra was able to help with the voting on election day.
- Harvest of the Month tasting- Apples! They have been working with hundreds of students to deliver harvest of the month tasting and nutrition lessons, using Ventura County's Cuyama orchards apples.
- Eat the Rainbow - Cassandra and Jisell visited a few classes at Oxnard High School to teach an "Eat the Rainbow" lesson that explains how the different colors of fruits and vegetables represent different classes of nutrients that we need to stay healthy, so it's important to try to eat a rainbow every day!
MEET THE 2024-25 FOOD CORPS MEMBERS
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Cassandra Espinoza
Cassandra Espinoza is a senior, majoring in Sociology. She is interested in this position because of the experience working with youth. She believes it’s important to be involved in the community when you want to help people. After graduation, Cassandra plans to work in the field of social work. She will be providing garden education and activities at Oxnard elementary school gardens with Ventura County Farm to School. -
Jisell Camarena Ramires
Jisell Camarena Ramires is a senior, double majoring in Political Science and Chicana/o Studies and minoring in Spanish. She was interested in this position because she always felt it was important to give back to her community, specifically the opportunity to get involved locally with youth through educational means. After graduation, Jisell intends to apply to the Peace Corps. She will be providing garden education and activities at Oxnard elementary school gardens with Ventura County Farm to School.