MCNCE VISTA- Sustainable Access to Local Food Developer

MCNCE VISTA
- Sustainable Access to Local Food Developer

North Valley Food Bank (NVFB) services NW Montana with food assistance to more than 1200 people weekly through our free client-choice model grocery store in Whitefish and mobile pantries. NVFB mission is building food security and strengthening communities; envisioning a world with well-nourished, connected communities. In addition to the customers served directly, North Valley Food Bank serves as a food hub for NW Montana and runs pantry deliveries to FAST Blackfeet in Browning, the Bigfork Food Bank and rural pantries in the Yaak, Eureka, Libby, and Troy.

The goal of this project is to reduce food insecurity and its root causes in Northwest Montana by expanding equitable access to nutritious, local foods and strengthening community-based food systems for low-income and rural households. The project will enhance the Farm to Food Bank program, which ‘rescues’ underutilized produce in the field for consumption at food banks for families in need.

This enhancement will occur through the expansion of partnerships and outreach efforts that build organizational capacity in increasing food production that feeds families and ultimately fights hunger. Additionally, project will build systems and tools that strengthen community engagement and participation in local food system efforts.

• Assess current Farm to Food Bank programming and identify opportunities to improve systems and program reach.
• Cultivate new partnerships that complement NVFB’s programming, including Farm to Food Bank.
• Identify and research barriers to fresh food consumption for households in need, which may include the creation of client surveys.
• Create educational materials on produce utilization for food bank customers.
• Research nutritious batch processed foods that can be utilized by low-income households for greatest benefit.
• Conduct outreach and develop tools, systems and strategies that build capacity for NVFB’s annual events.
• Assess current data tracking systems and create new data systems as needed for accurate sustainable record keeping.
• Additional responsibilities may include engagement with institutional partners and project oversight (link provided: (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below).).

• Childcare assistance if eligible
• Training
• Health Coverage*
• Relocation Allowance
• Choice of Education Award or End of Service Stipend
• Living Allowance

• Permits attendance at school during off hours
• Car recommended
• Permits working at another job during off hours

• Veterans
• Environment
• Community Outreach
• Children/Youth
• Tribal
• Education
• Community and Economic Development
• Hunger
• Health

• General Skills
• Public Speaking
• Writing/Editing
• Team Work
• Computers/Technology
• Leadership