About the Role
(This position is currently filled but we will gladly consider your application for the next term or for another position. The earliest possible start date for the next member in this role is 6/18/2024).
As a Farmer’s Market Nutrition Assistance VISTA, you will develop and expand existing programs: Veggie Vouchers, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) outreach, community cooking classes, and a local assessment of food stores. You will also regularly engage potential partners for expansions of these projects or development of new ones. This experience will further develop your abilities in program management and evaluation, community nutrition education, and collection and analysis of both quantitative and qualitative data. This will include expanding the presence of the Double Up Food Bucks (DUFB) program at College Hill Farmers Market and Waterloo Urban Farmers Market. You will become a subject matter expert on the local, state, and federal nutrition programs available to the populations we serve.
You will amplify the reach and impact of several programs at our area’s farmer’s markets. Veggie Vouchers are distributed through several local clinics and community organizations, and can be used like money at farmer’s markets, which provides free and nutritious food to families and a valuable revenue source to farmers. As a coordinator of this program, you will establish plans for consistent distribution of vouchers to partners, analyze and interpret utilization rates and share findings with diverse stakeholders, and maintain strong communication with current and future partners. In order to grow this program, you will also create self-sustaining outreach plans in collaboration with partner sites and area markets, and create solutions to improve redemption rates of vouchers. You will develop incentives and educational plans for both SNAP participants and vendors who accept SNAP, with the goal of increasing use of benefits at markets and other local outlets.
This position is based at the Center for Energy and Environmental Education at the University of Northern Iowa. The Farmer’s Market Nutrition Assistance VISTA will serve among a cohort of Nourish Iowa VISTA members placed throughout Iowa, and will have frequent opportunities to share knowledge within this community through regular visits to sites and members in other communities we serve. In addition to all standard AmeriCorps VISTA benefits, you will engage regularly with thought leaders in community nutrition, food justice, agriculture, and environmental policy, and be invited to regular professional development opportunities coordinated by a VISTA Leader in your cohort. Members based at CEEE may serve up to 2 days per week remotely, however ability to travel to our office at least 3 days per week is required.
The Farmer's Market Nutrition Assistance VISTA will earn a biweekly living allowance totaling $17,600 over the entire year, and is eligible for a post-service benefit of either the Segal education award (Currently $6,895 - equal to the value of a full semester Pell Grant) or a cash alternative ($1,800).
VISTAs are also eligible for over $9,000 in supplemental medical benefits, a childcare subsidy, paid sick and vacation days, and Noncompetitive Eligibility when applying for federal employment for 1 year after completing service.
As a VISTA Program, this position follows a monthly schedule of start dates, and we accept applications year-round until a position is filled. Please reach out by email for the most up-to-date openings.
Requirements
You should work alongside diverse groups of people with accountability & compassion; be eager to establish & maintain positive working relationships; & have an equity centered mindset, excellent communication, & interpersonal & organizational skills.
About the Organization
As a Nourish Iowa VISTA member, you will serve among a cohort of members throughout Iowa, sponsored by the Center for Energy & Environmental Education at the University of Northern Iowa, and will have frequent opportunities to share knowledge within this community through regular cohort-wide meetings and site visits. In addition to all standard AmeriCorps VISTA benefits, you will engage regularly with thought leaders in local food via the Cedar Valley Regional Food & Farm Network and Regional Food Systems Working Group, in addition to being invited to professional development opportunities coordinated by a VISTA Leader in your cohort.