Portland Public Schools (PPS) is a PK-12 urban school district in Portland, Oregon. With more than 43,000 students in 81 schools, it is one of the largest school districts in the Pacific Northwest. PPS has the vision that a graduate of Portland Public Schools will be a compassionate critical thinker, able to collaborate and solve problems, and be prepared to lead a more socially just world.

The PPS Energy & Sustainability Office works to grow climate literacy, combat climate change in our community, and promote resilient, inclusive, sustainable buildings and schoolyards. We work to empower and support our PPS community — students, teachers, families, and neighbors — to be climate ambassadors for a more sustainable and just future.

PPS Nutrition Services serves 9,000 school breakfasts, 19,000 school lunches and 1,500 suppers to Portland students daily across 92 feeding sites. We employ approximately 240 staff including registered dietitians, child nutrition program managers and supervisors, food service leads and assistants and central distribution personnel. In addition to the National School Breakfast, National School Lunch and the After School Supper Program, students at 23 schools receive fresh fruit and vegetable snacks daily in their classrooms as part of the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program.

PPS is ecstatic to host FoodCorps programming at the District level for the first time in the 23-24 school year with the goal of further deepening students’ connection to place, food, and community. FoodCorps Service Members will bring this work and vision into action with day to day lessons and service. FoodCorps PPS Service Members will be a part of a 5-person cohort serving in communities across the District.

As a Food Education Service Member with Portland Public Schools, you will be placed at one or two schools where you will lead hands-on lessons for students in the garden and classrooms, actively promote school meals, and support initiatives such as the Harvest of the Month program by running taste tests and making mealtime an educational and socially fulfilling time.

As a School Nutrition Service Member with Portland Public Schools, you will work on expanding family and student outreach to increase collaboration, championing efforts to minimize food waste & boost sustainability, working with partners to increase access to culturally affirming foods, and creating communication and marketing materials that can be used across platforms. This position will offer a wide variety of experiences within child nutrition, menu development, and farm to school.

Service in Portland connects you to a legacy and future of innovative climate justice activism, vibrant school communities, and equitable access to nourishing school meals. With an ambitious Climate Crisis Response Policy passed by the PPS Board of Education, in March 2022, On March 1, 2022, staff and school communities are directing district climate action around emissions reductions, climate education, and climate justice for the next three decades. Within this policy implementation, outdoor learning and greening schoolyards has gained momentum and support. Utilizing school grounds as a learning space is growing as a priority for school sites and FoodCorps Members will be instrumental in helping grow the connection between students, nature, and food.

Being a FoodCorps Oregon member is being part of a joyful and close-knit cohort of 9, serving in 3 diverse communities across the state. We connect both virtually and in-person throughout the year, with regular opportunities for professional development, connection, and community. We’re here to ensure you get the support you need as you create joyful experiences with food for kids at school! Oregon is full of incredible food systems organizations and food justice projects, and you’ll be encouraged to explore your post-FoodCorps career with one of our many community partners, as one of 1000+ members of the Oregon Farm to School and School Garden Network.