Community Food Systems Specialist - Summer VISTA

SERVE | LEARN | CRUSH HUNGER

Join Kitsap Conservation District as a Community Food Systems Specialist - Summer VISTA and become a vital force in transforming local food landscapes!

Responsibilities

• Assist with GRACE Program including planting, harvesting, packaging, and delivering vegetables and processed foods to local food banks.
• Assist food banks serving clients seeking food assistance, grocery rescue activities and daily operations.
• Recruit and orient volunteers to assist in the GRACE Program food access and hunger relief activities.
• Contacting F2FP farmers bi-weekly about produce availability and delivery.
• Coordinating produce distribution with farmers and partner organizations (food banks, gleaning network)
• Support the Kitsap Farm to Freezer Program processing donated/gleaned/rescued food into frozen RTE soups, sauces and salsas.
• Gather, tabulate and report program data on food access activities.
• Assist with community education and program outreach.

Skills

• Experience in small acreage intensive farming including planting, cultivation, harvesting and produce packing
• Ability to handle physically demanding, often long hours in variety of weather conditions.
• Experience in volunteer recruitment and supervision
• Public speaking skills with the ability to engage diverse audiences
• Ability to collect, analyze, and interpret data related to program outcomes.
• Administrative skills for record keeping, reporting, and coordinating activities.

Explore a rewarding summer empowering communities through sustainable food systems! This paid summer VISTA role offers a unique chance to develop your leadership skills while making a tangible difference in people's lives. Join us in creating healthier communities-your energy and ideas can spark lasting change!

This 10-week (06/29/2026 - 09/06/2026) summer position offers:

• Weekly Stipend of $478.73 (paid biweekly)
• $1,565.08 education award or cash payment
• Fresh organic vegetables
• Education and training opportunities

For more information:

Diane Fish, GRACE Program Manager:

d-fish@kitsapcd.org

To apply:https://my.americorps.gov/mp/listing/viewListing.do?fromSearch=true&id=129332

This Summer VISTA position offers an exciting opportunity to serve in community-driven food programs that promote health, sustainability, and food equity. You will serve closely with community members, organizations, and local leaders to strengthen food systems, increase access to nutritious foods, and foster vibrant community engagement. If you're passionate about social impact, eager to gain hands-on experience and ready to participate positive change, this role is perfect for you! Kitsap Conservation District's GRACE Program serves food insecure children, families and seniors in Kitsap County. This opportunity expands capacity in the Kitsap hunger relief system and increases access and equity in the local food system by providing fresh, healthy produce and nutritious soups, sauces & salsas for food bank patrons.

This position will provide you to serve in the community growing, harvesting and delivering food, meeting and coordinating with local farmers, support local food banks in serving clients, and process excess edible food into delicious soups.

Make a difference and serve with us.