Become a Master Food Volunteer to work with food and people!
Trainees have the opportunity to improve their communities while representing Extension. Have fun while getting together with others and changing people’s lives through education.
The Master Food Volunteer training is targeting adults with the goal of expanding Extension education toward safe food handling, nutrition, food preparation and food preservation. It is our vision that these MFV would assist with or lead seasonal eating programs at the farmers’ market, food preservation classes, health fairs, specialty classes like fermentation, and more.
What will we be doing in the training? We will begin with a base knowledge of Cooperative Extension and Family and Consumer Sciences programs so you will be familiar with Rutherford County programs. We will enroll you in our system as a registered volunteer. We will spend time on effective communication, working with diverse audiences and facilitation skills. In-depth and hands-on training will provide education in nutrition and food preparation and safety. Each participant will receive the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Complete Food & Nutrition Guide, 5th Edition for reference toward healthy eating plans, today’s food marketplace from farm to table, diet advice for every age and stage of life, and advice for common food-related health issues.
There is $120 fee to that includes 30 hours of training, educational materials, literature and speakers.
When you join the MFV Program, you enter into an agreement. In exchange for the 30 hours of training you receive in this program, you agree to “give back” an equal number of volunteer hours to University of Tennessee Extension during the first year.
After completing your volunteer service hours, you can choose to continue volunteering in the program. You may decide to volunteer above and beyond your required hours. To continue as an active member, you must contribute a minimum of 30 volunteer hours within the first year. Beginning in year 2 and beyond, a minimum of 20 volunteer hours is required; 15 volunteer hours and 5 hours of continuing education. Any additional continuing education requirements are determined at the discretion of the supervising agent in consultation with you. You will be responsible for reporting the number of hours you volunteer to your supervising agent.
For more information contact the office 615-898-7710