A previous FoodCorps service member working with garden seedlings in a greenhouse.

FoodCorps was formed when President Obama signed legislation in 2009 to engage AmeriCorps in building a more sustainable, healthful and equitable food system in the United States.  FoodCorps trains service members to nurture in youth an enduring relationship with healthy food and sends them to underserved areas, where they educate students about gardening and eating garden-fresh produce.

FoodCorps, which served 12 states last year, adds California, Hawaii and New Jersey in 2013. Pending funding, 12 service members will be placed with 10 organizations in California.

“We are thrilled to have been chosen to host a service member,” said Dorothy Smith, UCCE advisor in the Central Sierra office. “Our service member will build interest and participation in the fruit and vegetable gardens we have in Calaveras County schools. A few schools don’t have a garden, and we’ll get those up and running.”

The new FoodCorps service member will work closely with the UCCE CalFresh youth nutrition education program and the UCCE Master Gardener program. Also, Kevin Hesser, the teacher/garden coordinator for Calaveras Unified School District, will collaborate with the service member.

Smith said UC Cooperative Extension and the Calaveras Unified School District decided to apply for the service member when they realized that the goals of the FoodCorps program closely matched their own efforts to enhance youth nutrition by gardening.

“We want people, and especially kids, to eat whole foods, more fruits and vegetables,” Smith said. “We know that when kids plant broccoli, tend it and pick it, they are much more likely to try it. Once people realize a vine-ripened tomato tastes totally different than the ones they buy from the store, they are more likely to grow their own produce and eat it.”

The FoodCorps program also offers a unique experience to the person chosen for the paid position. Service members are often recent college graduates looking to make a difference in the world while gaining work experience before beginning their careers. UC Cooperative Extension will be involved in selecting the candidate for the local program. Applications are due March 24. Apply on the FoodCorps website.

For more information about the FoodCorps program in Calaveras County, contact Dorothy Smith, (209) 754-6476, dorsmith@ucanr.edu.