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Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Free child nutrition program events from FRAC

Register now for these child nutrition program events:
May call recording access information is at the end of this email...


Special Child Nutrition Webinar Opportunity

FRAC/School Nutrition Foundation Webinar - Making Universal Meals a Reality through the Community Eligibility Option
Wednesday, June 5, 2013 2:00 p.m. - 3:15 p.m. ET
Register here...
Learn about the Community Eligibility Option (CEO), the newest federal option to provide all meals at no charge in high poverty schools without the need for school meals applications. CEO is available in the 2013-2014 school year in 11 states - DC, FL, GA, IL, KY, MA, MD, MI, NY, OH, WV - and will be available nationwide starting July 2014.


Summer Meals Matter 

Conference Call - Participate in Summer Meals Awareness Week & Develop an Ongoing Communication Strategy about the Program
Monday, June 3rd at 1 p.m. EDT
Register here... 
June 10 will be the start of the third annual Summer Food Service Program Awareness week. We will discuss upcoming events and talk about ways you can become involved in celebrating and promoting the Summer Nutrition Programs. We will also share strategies for ongoing communications about the program to keep your community engaged and maintain high attendance at summer meal programs.

Conference Call - Troubleshooting Problems that Arise During the Summer

Tuesday, July 2 at 1 p.m. ET
Register here...
After months of preparing, your Summer Food Service Program is now in full swing and unanticipated issues might be coming up in how your sites are operating and unexpected drops in participation at some of your sites. Join us to hear from sponsors and advocates in the field on how to boost participation at summer food sites in the middle of the summer, work with vendors to resolve logistical issues that are effecting the meal service, and maintain momentum in the programming you are offering throughout the remainder of the summer.


Breakfast Matters 

Conference Call - State Legislative Round Up
Thursday, June 13, 2013 at 3 p.m. EDT
Register here... 
It has been a busy spring legislative season with important school meals legislation in Colorado, Texas and West Virginia. This call will feature these latest legislative efforts to expand access to school breakfast and universal free school meals for low-income children, and lessons learned from these advocacy efforts.

Breakfast Matters “How To” Webinar - The Finances of Operating Universal Breakfast in the Classroom
Thursday, July 11, 3 - 4 p.m. ET
Register here...
The third installment of our “How To” breakfast series will cover the financial nuts and bolts of moving breakfast out of the cafeteria into the classroom, and eliminating student fees. Strategies to increase participation while also improving efficiencies in program operations will be explored. Expert child nutrition professionals will guide participants through the steps of assessing a school breakfast program operation, running the numbers for different models, and determining a participation level needed for a break-even point for elimination of student fees.


Afterschool Meals Matter 

No June conference call.

Conference Call – What to Expect When you Apply
Wednesday, July 17 at 1:00 p.m. ET
Register here...
Don’t be daunted by the application process to participate in the Afterschool Meal Program. Our next Afterschool Meals Matter call will offer tips on how to get started and how to navigate the application process. Hear from state agencies, program sponsors, and program providers; and learn what information you or the program you support will need to apply. We will discuss the application turn-around time and how local advocates can support a program throughout the process. At the end of this call, you will be eager to call your state agency and begin your application. 


Recording Access for May conference calls:
(Recordings are available for 30 days after the conference call date.)

May 1 Summer Meals Matter - Training your Summer Food Site Staff
Dial 866 854-2507; enter conference ID number 995960

May 9 Breakfast Matters - Meeting the Nutritional Needs of Children in Military Families at School and During the Summer
Dial 866 854-2507; enter conference ID number 054578

May 14 Afterschool Meals Matter - Nutrition Quality
Dial 866 854-2507; enter conference ID number 152532

JOB OPENING AT Solid Ground


JOB OPENING AT Solid Ground

 

JOB TITLE:              Lettuce Link Program Manager                   


DEPARTMENT:          Hunger Action Center
         

SUPERVISOR:            Hunger Action Center Director

         
FTE:                                1.0                                                                                                                        SALARY GRADE: 29

STATUS:                           Exempt
We believe our community can move beyond poverty and oppression to a place where all people have access to quality housing, nutritious food, equal justice and opportunities to thrive. We are committed to working with compassion, integrity, accountability, creativity and an anti-oppression approach to end homelessness, hunger, inequality and other barriers to social justice. We value collaboration and leadership from the communities we serve. As our workforce evolves to reflect the diversity of the communities we serve, our agency and workplace will be enriched and strengthened and as such we will:
·         Demonstrate the initiative to learn and enhance skills that promote anti-racism, cultural competency and an understanding of oppression and its impact.
·        Participate in intentional learning efforts, including events relating to understanding and dismantling institutional racism and building cultural competency, and to encourage staff to fully engage in those activities.
.JOB SUMMARY:  The Lettuce Link Program works to create access to fresh organic produce and gardening resources for low-income individuals in Seattle.  The Lettuce Link Program Manager is responsible for the operation, direction and strategic planning of the program, including staff and volunteer supervision, budgeting, contract management, program evaluation and collaboration with community partners.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES, DUTIES AND TASKS:   

40%     Provide oversight and facilitate day-to-day operations, delivery of services and strategic planning within the Lettuce Link program.  Participate in multi-agency efforts to strengthen the local food system.  Act as liaison and lead partner in managing Marra Farm, a four-acre community farm run by a coalition of community partners.

15%     Coordinate with meal programs and food banks to align Lettuce Link efforts with the needs of food bank recipients and low-income families, provide gardening and nutrition resources to low-income individuals, and coordinate community gardeners’ efforts to create food bank gardens. Manage the development and implementation of a nutrition and gardening curriculum for schoolchildren at Marra Farm and the Seattle Community Farm.

15%     Prepare and manage an annual budget of $378,000 and negotiate fund source contracts for the Lettuce Link program.  Monitor regularly to ensure expenses are within budgetary guidelines. Work with Resource Development staff in the development of grant proposals and/or income-generating activities for program. Prepare reports required by Federal, City and private funding sources, collect, track and monitor the data in order to ensure contract compliance of program and of subcontractors.

10%    Hire, supervise, train and evaluate Lettuce Link staff, interns and Americorps*VISTA members (6-12 people). Oversee all aspects of volunteer management, including recruitment, training, retention and recognition.   Manage subcontractors as needed.

10%      Initiate, represent and promote outreach strategies designed to create broader public awareness of the program, including food justice and hunger issues.

5%       Collaborate within Solid Ground and the broader community to ensure coordination of services, program evaluation efforts, program advocacy and development of systems to implement continuous improvement efforts to enhance services.

  5%        Participate in program, department and agency meetings and relevant trainings as required.

The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.

EDUCATION and EXPERIENCE:

Requires one of the following:

(a)             Four years of experience with public or private non-profit organizations, including experience in program development and management OR

(b)            Bachelor's degree in a related field and two years of experience with public or private non-profit organizations OR

(c)          Any combination of education, experience and measurable performance which demonstrates the capability to perform the duties of this position.

 

Also requires:
·          Two years of experience in organic farming or urban gardening;
·          Three years of experience supervising staff and three years managing volunteers;
·           Two years of experience in financial management, contract reporting  and budgeting.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS 
·        Excellent communication skills, both oral and written, including the ability to make public presentations;
·        Ability to work individually in a self-directed manner and as part of a team, as well as represent the agency in community partnerships;
·        Excellent organizational skills, initiative and attention to detail;
·        Ability to effectively market a program and pursue outreach opportunities;
·        Willingness and ability to work with people from a variety of racial, cultural and economic backgrounds, with various lifestyles, sexual orientations, and of all ages;
·        Knowledge of local community services and resources available to populations served by the program (urban agriculture and the emergency food system);
·        Access to reliable transportation, valid driver's license, vehicle insurance that meets Washington State’s minimum guidelines and the ability and willingness to travel throughout King County;
·        Proficient knowledge of computer software (Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook);
·        Ability and willingness to work evenings and weekends (up to 5 times per month) to attend community meetings and conduct outreach.

Anti-Racism Initiative (ARI) Expectations:
·        Foster discussion and learning among staff to better understand and dismantle institutional racism.
·        Abide by and support agency-wide efforts to incorporate anti-racism principles and cultural competency and standards into all hiring processes and performance evaluations.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS/WORKING CONDITIONS:  This position works in an office setting performing general office duties 60% of the time and 40% in the field.  Office time is spent 45% at computer and phones, 10% meetings, and 5% misc. office.  Work in the field is 10% gardening and teaching in a garden setting (bending, walking, reaching, squatting), 15% driving, and 15% meetings.  Position requires employee to lift/carry 35-50 pounds and push/pull 15-30 pounds occasionally. Position has the ability to sit/stand as needed.  Stairs and walking required, often on uneven terrain and in all weather.

HOURS & COMPENSATION:  This is a full time position paying $3,969 per month plus benefits.  Benefits include medical, dental, short-term and long-term disability insurance, earning 16.3 hours paid personal leave hours per month to start, 11 paid holidays, 401K employer contributed profit sharing plan (full vested after 6 months of work) and tax sheltered health care and dependent care accounts. The position start date will be at the end of July.                    

TO APPLY:  Applicants must complete the Solid Ground application form specific to this position. To find an application online, go to www.solid-ground.org/AboutUs/Jobs, then click on the Job Title for this position and download the attached application. You may submit your completed application at jobs@solid-ground.org. You may also leave a message on our job line at 206.694.6840 requesting a specific job application, or you may apply in person at 1501 North 45th Street in Seattle’s Wallingford neighborhood.

Applicants may submit completed applications by mail to: Solid Ground, Attn: Human Resources Department, 1501 N 45th St, Seattle, WA 98103-6708. Please attach a cover letter and resume.

CLOSING DATE:  Open until filled.

WOMEN, PEOPLE OF COLOR AND PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY.  SOLID GROUND IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.




Friday, May 17, 2013

Food Lifeline ACTION Alert: Deep Cuts to Food Stamps Hurt Families


ACTION ALERT
Billions in cuts to programs feeding hungry people? 
We don't think so!
Congress Proposes Up to $20.5 Billion in Cuts to SNAP (Food Stamps)
The House and Senate Agriculture Committees have voted to approve the Farm Bill which funds U.S. farm, food and nutrition policy. As part of the vote, the Senate approved cutting the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (food stamps or SNAP) by $4.1 billion over 10 years. The House cuts were considerably deeper, at $20.5 billion.

The full Senate will begin deliberation on the Farm Bill this Monday. Senator Patty Murray just signed on to an amendment which would restore proposed cuts to SNAP. It's important for Senator Cantwell to join her by also signing on to the Gillibrand amendment. It's critical that you contact both of these Senators today and ask them to oppose serious cuts to SNAP for struggling families including over 1 million Washingtonians who rely on the program to place food on their tables. 
Take Action Now
SNAP helps hungry families purchase the food they need at 
the grocery store. Take action now to send a letter to Senators Murray and Cantwell urging them to oppose cuts to SNAP.

Food Lifeline feeds hungry people. We stock the shelves and fill the tables of 275 food banks, meal programs and shelters throughout Western Washington. The 35 million pounds of nutritious food we secure from restaurants, grocery stores, farmers and manufacturers feeds 745,000 of our hungry neighbors every year. Find out how you can be a part of ending hunger in Western Washington at www.FoodLifeline.org.

We value your input. Please share your thoughts and comments at advocacy@fll.org.  
 
Food Lifeline thanks MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger, for supporting our advocacy program.
Food Lifeline is a member of Feeding America
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