The New Hampshire Food Bank works to provide nutritious food and resources to thousands of NH residents that are food insecure and implements innovative programs to end hunger in sustainable ways, one of the programs is Cooking Matters, a campaign of Share Our Strength.  Cooking Matters is working to end childhood hunger by empowering families with limited food budgets on how to stretch their food dollar in a healthy and delicious way.  We offer hands-on cooking classes and interactive grocery store tours to families across the state through partnering with community agencies.  We are a close knit-team, working hard to make no kid hungry a reality in New Hampshire.

The NH Food Bank is seeking a full-time Cooking Matters AmeriCorps Member to serve one year.  The AmeriCorps member will work closely with the Cooking Matters NH team to implement courses and tours in the New Hampshire community.  The AmeriCorps member is a valued member of the team and receives an inspiring and well-rounded experience to launch them into their next steps after their year of service.

Responsibilities:

The member will work with the New Hampshire Food Bank Cooking Matters team to implement effective hands-on courses teaching families at risk of hunger that healthy cooking can be delicious, enjoyable, and most importantly-affordable. Member responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to:
 

Program Coordination:

• Work with chefs, nutrition educators, cooperative extension partners, and agency managers to implement courses and tours using the Cooking Matters evidence based curricula.
• Coordinate courses and tours, including managing the classroom, securing needed food and materials, and supporting volunteers and participants.
• Work with community-based agencies to host courses for their clients in efforts to expand reach of program.
• Support recruitment, training, and retention of culinary, nutrition, and support volunteers who lead Cooking Matters courses.
• Administer participant and volunteer course evaluations.
• Teach cooking and nutrition lessons as needed.

Administrative:

• Work with supervisor on professional development goals and goals of the member’s work plan developed at the start of service.
• Communicate regularly with Cooking Matters team to ensure effective programming.
• Ensure all necessary course reporting is in order in database.
• Social media content creation for multiple audiences including volunteers/supporters and participants.
• Submit time sheets in accordance with AmeriCorps and Share Our Strength guidelines.
• Participate in national, state, and other training as requested – will require one out of state national training.
• Maintain a high level of working knowledge related to hunger, nutrition standards, and trends.

Qualifications:

• At least 18 years of age
• High school diploma, or GED
• Passion for nutrition and cooking
• Driver’s license and reliable vehicle to travel to classes
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written
• Computer skills
• Ability to balance multiple projects with varying timelines
• Ability to maintain organization in and out of classroom setting
• Ability and willingness to work varying schedule for the purposes of coordinating courses and tours
• Ability to work individually in a self-directed manner and as part of a team in group projects
• Experience working with youth and/or adults in formal or informal education programs
• Enrollment contingent on successful passing of criminal background search (including a FBI fingerprint-based criminal history check).
• Must be a US citizen to accept an AmeriCorps position.

Time Commitment

This is a twelve month, full-time position. 1700 hours of service within a 12-month period. 
 

Program Benefits

• $18,250 annual living allowance, paid biweekly
• AmeriCorps education award of $6,095 upon successful completion of service
• Health benefits
• Opportunity to forbear student loans while in service
• Childcare assistance (if applicable)