Many communities served by the Greater Chicago Food Depository and its member agencies report high incidences of diabetes, obesity, and high cholesterol -- conditions associated with poor-quality nutrition. The AmeriCorps member working in the health and nutrition role will help Food Depository member agencies begin to address these community health challenges. The Greater Chicago Food Depository is seeking an organized, enthusiastic, outgoing individual with a strong commitment to improving nutrition and ending hunger to join its Community Network Relations team as an AmeriCorps Health & Nutrition member. The health and nutrition AmeriCorps member will provide on-site training and demonstrations for member agencies and for their clients. This AmeriCorps member will serve the entire Food Depository network of agencies in Cook County, assisting with practical guidance, such as how to maximize the nutrition of emergency food bags. He or she will also offer cooking demonstrations and work with feeding programs for children such as Kids' Cafes, afterschool programs that also provide a nutritious hot meal, with a specific emphasis on children's nutritional education. Many of the Food Depository's member agencies are glad to have the increased amounts of produce and fresh ingredients that the Depository is now making available, but they often need assistance in helping their clients make the most of these unfamiliar products. - Create new and adapt existing nutrition, healthy eating and food preparation lessons - Provide nutrition, healthy eating, and food preparation trainings and demonstrations to both clients and partner agency representatives in the field at various community or network sites. - Assist with nutrition training for coordinators and volunteers - Maintain relationships with select community partners and stakeholders who are working on nutrition education, hunger relief, or advocacy - Ensure that healthy eating, food prep, and nutrition demos and lessons are tracked, evaluated, and documented - Work as part of a cross-functional team that is developing and implementing strategies to strengthen communities and address the root causes of hunger. - Bilingual preferred. - Bachelor's degree preferred. - Strong interpersonal skills, excellent project management and good organizational abilities. - Comfort with food, including produce, and interest in healthy eating and light cooking required. Some food prep, cooking, health & wellness, and/or nutrition experience preferred - Proficient in MS Office applications. - Position requires local travel and the ability to lift up to 30 pounds (demo equipment and food) - must have own car The AmeriCorps program (www.americorps.gov) is part of a comprehensive, multi-year capacity-building initiative at the Food Depository. AmeriCorps Members will support this initiative by helping agencies with emergency food distribution, strengthening their volunteer networks, annual plans and goals, SNAP benefits assistance, and Health and Nutrition education. Program Overview The AmeriCorps program recruits individuals from the community to provide year-long, direct services to at-need and at-risk communities. The Food Depository received its funding through a grant from Serve Illinois, the State of Illinois commission on Volunteerism and Community Service (www.serve.illinois.gov). Benefits to members: Americorps Members are required to serve 11 months and complete 1700 hours of service. Members will receive a living allowance, paid bi-weekly during the member service year; health insurance; education award upon successful completion of the member service year. Interested persons please apply with cover letter and resume at http://jobs-gcfd.icims.com/jobs/1201/americorps-health-%26-nutrition-member/login Keywords: Direct social services