Utah Food Corps Launches Operations at Utah State University

The Utah Conservation Corps (UCC), based at the Utah State University Center for Community Engagement, has been awarded an AmeriCorps VISTA grant to address student hunger and food security on six higher education institution campuses throughout the state. The Utah Food Corps project shall place AmeriCorps VISTA members over the next three years at Utah State University, Salt Lake Community College, University of Utah, Utah Valley University, Weber State University and Westminster College to build capacity and create long-term sustainability of current efforts to address student hunger and its root causes. The project is actively seeking applicants to fill the AmeriCorps VISTA positions that will start this September. 

“We’re excited to have the capacity to lead this effort and share the best practices we’ve learned at Utah State University with our multiple student efforts like Student Nutrition Access Center (SNAC), The Food Recovery Network and The Campus Kitchens” said Utah State University Center for Civic Engagement director Sean Damitz.

Two AmeriCorps VISTAs will serve at Utah State University, one being the VISTA Leader that will provide support and technical expertise to Utah Food Corps VISTA members at other campuses through regular phone calls, in-person meetings, and quarterly webinars. These two AmeriCorps VISTAs will also build the capacity and reach of the Urban Community Farm to supply SNAC with fresh produce throughout the year. All Utah Food Corps VISTA members and campus site supervisors will be kicking off the effort at this year’s Utah Higher Education Food Summit hosted at Utah State University on September 20. 

Individuals who are interested in the Utah Food Corps VISTA positions can apply at https://my.americorps.gov/mp/listing/viewListing.do?id=90600&fromSearch=true
or contact Sean Damitz at 435-770-6104 sean.damitz@usu.edu for more information. 

The UCC was formed in 2001 with a mission to develop the conservation leaders of tomorrow. Since 2001, more than 1,800 UCC AmeriCorps members have served 1.4 million hours creating or maintaining 3,747 miles of trail and 464 miles of fence, restoring 50,026 acres of public land and reaching 404,049 students with environmental education.