Become a Service Site

UPDATED - NCAT seeks new community partners for FoodCorps Arkansas!

The National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) is currently accepting applications from Arkansas schools, non-profits, or government organizations to host a FoodCorps member from September 2014 through July 2015.

FoodCorps is a nationwide team of leaders that connects kids to real food and helps them grow up healthy. 

What FoodCorps members do:

Day-to-day activities will be determined by the specific needs and opportunities of the community, with input and approval from NCAT and national FoodCorps staff. Sample activities include conducting kid-friendly taste-tests of local and healthy foods, establishing or growing school garden programs, building relationships with local farmers to incorporate more local food into school meals, and teaching garden based lessons. For a fuller picture of typical FoodCorps activities visit our blog, with weekly updates from the field, at http://arkansasfoodcorps.blogspot.com/

FoodCorps members are AmeriCorps service members and cannot participate in policy advocacy, lobbying, nor political campaigning. FoodCorps members cannot spend more than 5% of their time fundraising.

Who can apply:

FoodCorps members must be placed in schools or non-profit or government organizations with close ties to area schools. The National Center for Appropriate Technology will select service sites using the following criteria.

Demonstrated need as determined by:

• Percentage of students qualifying for free and reduced lunch
• Geographic location in rural, underserved, and/or “food desert” environment

Demonstrated community support as determined by:

• Any other relevant food systems work in the community, such as farmers markets, community gardens, buying clubs, or food banks
• Community leaders who have been involved in food systems work in the past
• Willingness and interest of food service director to participate
• Willingness and interest of school administrators, teachers, and/or school board members
• Space, equipment, and/or supplies for a school garden

Ability to meet the mandatory requirements for hosting a FoodCorps member, including:

• A site supervisor willing to provide ongoing guidance and support to the FoodCorps service member. Site supervisor must also be willing to read and approve FoodCorps weekly reports and other AmeriCorps evaluation documentation, including two progress reports per year. The site supervisor is also required to attend at least one in-person training during the year, and participate in at least two one-hour conference calls or webinars.
• A designated office area for the FoodCorps member, including a designated computer with internet access, phone, and desk.

Ability to provide $5,000 cash match. (Special note: our service member stipend is increasing to $17,500 for next year! The cash match for our service sites is remaining the same at $5,000.) 

You can download a detailed (and official) document listing the responsibilities of our service sites by clicking here. 

Ready to apply?

You can find the full application by clicking here. 
Please note that while you cannot save the online form, you can download a copy of the application in word document format for your convenience. 

Applications are due Friday, March 28th 2014. 

Questions? Don't hesitate to contact rachel.spencer@foodcorps.org or call us at 479-442-9824.