Groundwork’s mission is to protect the environment, strengthen the economy, and build community. Our staff works in three program areas: Climate & Environment; Transportation & Community Design; and Food & Farming. Northwest lower Michigan’s topography is noted for its forests, rivers, and magnificent Lake Michigan shoreline. Opportunities for biking, hiking, skiing, snowshoeing, boating, and beaches are abundant. This rural region shares a diverse agricultural heritage, a legacy of seasonal, low-paying jobs, and a large population of Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed (ALICE) families. These districts – along with students and parents – have embraced farm-to-school as a way to provide healthy food to kids while investing in the local economy.

Food Education Service Members will serve at East Jordan (EJPS) and Alanson Public Schools (APS). Both schools are small and rural with high free/reduced lunch rates, as well as school gardens. At both sites, the Service Members sit on school wellness committees, manage monthly cafeteria taste tests featuring seasonal produce, support local purchases as possible, provide support to teachers on food and garden-based lessons, facilitate engagement in the gardens, and help build a schoolwide culture of health. The School Nutrition Service Member will support, not only EJPS and APS, but also the Charlevoix-Emmet Intermediate School District in its efforts to embed nutrition and garden activities into as many schools as possible. Service members will also have opportunities to collaborate with community partners including Little Traverse Bay Band of Odawa Indians, Local Food Alliance, and Manna Food Project. To learn more about serving with Groundwork go to: https://www.groundworkcenter.org/foodcorps/

FoodCorps service members at the Groundwork Center for Resilient Communities are part of a Michigan cohort that includes 14 service members in 4 communities across the state. The state staff Erin and Seema love creating opportunities to connect in person or virtually with our cohort, and will always make time and space for sharing a good meal with our Service Members! FoodCorps Service Members have the opportunity to take advantage of a state rich in cultural and geographic diversity. We boast urban, suburban, and rural sites with their own unique set of engaging characteristics, as well as thought-provoking challenges. We welcome all to apply for an experience to learn, give back, and grow!