York Region Food Network (YRFN) programs and activities are enriched by volunteers. To be placed in our Volunteer database, please fill out our Volunteer Application Form and email it to 4moreinfo @ yrfn.ca
Many of our volunteer opportunities are event focused or seasonal in nature. That means that you can choose to volunteer with us in a way that suits your schedule best. And as a YRFN volunteer you will learn new skills, meet new people and have fun too!
York Region Food Network is NOT a food bank. If you are hoping to sort or distribute food for your local community food bank, please contact your local Food Bank directly.
Volunteer Opportunities include:
User Experience Research Volunteers
Location: York Region Food Network (YRFN) is an innovative non-profit based in Aurora, Ontario.
This volunteer position can be carried out from home.
Time Commitment: up 10 hours.
York Region Food Network connects and empowers people to access healthy food through education and advocacy. Our work is guided by the fundamental belief in the right to food.
All of our programs and services are designed to create opportunities for community members of all ages and backgrounds to come together, enjoy local and healthy foods and form social networks. Our website and social media channels are used to educate about food insecurity, and provide community members will information about a wide variety of food access and engagement opportunities.
This role is perfect for anyone with a passion for food and their community. Your work will help us in redesigning our online presence and ensuring that information about food in York Region is easily accessible.
What you get to do:
- Critically review our online presence and offer constructive feedback
- Offer feedback about user experience
- Propose new ideas for enhancing engagement
- Be part of something that positively impacts the community
What we’re looking for:
- Positive attitude
- Willingness to offer constructive feedback
- New and innovative ideas
- Commitment to York Region Food Network’s values
What we provide:
- A friendly supportive atmosphere
- Volunteer hours
If you’re interested in this opportunity, please reach out to 4moreinfo @ yrfn.ca
Volunteer Video Editor
Location: York Region Food Network (YRFN) is an innovative non-profit based in Aurora, Ontario. The Volunteer Video Editor position can be carried out from home.
Time Commitment: 2-4 hours per week
York Region Food Network operates cooking classes and engagements around food to give community an opportunity to develop their food knowledge and skills, and as a way to form community connections. Due to COVID19, we have transitioned a number of programs from in-person classes to online engagements. We’re looking for proactive, imaginative and committed people to help us edit and share these online engagements.
This role is perfect for anyone with a passion for using video to tell stories and build community engagement. Your work will be shared on website and social media platforms and is a great way to gain experience.
What you get to do:
- Contribute towards YRFN’s long-term video content strategies
- Take recordings of workshops and editing the footage to create short video clips and shorter workshops
- Create video content for YRFN’s website and social media channels
- Create video content to showcase innovative community development and food engagements
What we’re looking for:
- Experience with editing, creating and producing video clips and posting them to YouTube.
- Positive attitude
- New and innovative ideas on how we can improve our online presence
- A strong sense of responsibility in meeting deadlines
- Commitment to York Region Food Network’s values
What we provide:
- Work experience and training to develop your skills
- A friendly supportive atmosphere
- Work references
If you’re interested in this opportunity, please reach out to 4moreinfo @ yrfn.ca with a short sample of your work.
Volunteer Online Assistant Facilitator(s)
Volunteer Online Assistant Facilitator(s)
Location: York Region Food Network (YRFN) is an innovative non-profit based in Aurora, Ontario. The Volunteer Online Assistant Facilitator position can carried out from home.
Time Commitment: Up to 2-4 hours per week, fixed time (daytime, Wednesdays, Thursdays and/or Fridays)
This virtual volunteer position is done online and off-site from York Region Food Network.
York Region Food Network operates cooking classes and engagements around food to give community an opportunity to develop their food knowledge and skills, and as a way to form community connections. Due to COVID19, we have transitioned a number of programs from in-person classes to online engagements. We’re looking for proactive, imaginative and committed people to help us with these online engagements.
What you get to do:
- Contribute towards YRFN’s long-term vision of community development and engagement.
- Learn about the local food systems and gain new food skills.
- Be part of an organization working towards a food secure future for all people in York Region.
- Be part of a fun-loving team.
What we’re looking for:
- Positive attitude
- An interest in food and nutrition is an asset
- Online presence duration our virtual engagements – admitting participants from the wait room, feeding questions to the facilitator, offering additional information and links in the chat box
- A strong sense of responsibility with meeting deadlines.
- Commitment to York Region Food Network’s values.
What we provide:
- Work experience and training to develop your skills
- A friendly supportive atmosphere
- Work reference
If you’re interested in this opportunity, please reach out to 4moreinfo @ yrfn.ca
Youth Food Committee
Location: York Region Food Network (YRFN) is an innovative non-profit based in Aurora, Ontario. During the pandemic, this position can be carried out from home.
Time Commitment: up ~2-3 hours/month, consisting of a 1-hour monthly meeting and about an hour’s time worth of meeting preparation, which may include learning materials or sub-committee working group meetings. This is a volunteer position.
York Region Food Network connects and empowers people to access healthy food through education and advocacy. Our work is guided by the fundamental belief in the right to food. All of our programs and services are designed to create opportunities for community members of all ages and backgrounds to come together, enjoy local and healthy foods and form social networks.
We recognize that youth are not only the leaders of tomorrow but the leaders of today. On September 3rd York Region Food Network hosted a youth panel that started a much overdue discussion on how youth lead and can change the way we grow, produce and consume food. We want a community where health and social justice are prioritized and all residents have economic and physical access to healthy, local, culturally acceptable and environmentally sustainable food. We believe youth are vital in making this happen. That’s why we are forming a Youth Food Committee where youth can come together to discuss and act on food issues in York Region. This role is perfect for anyone with a passion for food and their community.
As a member of the Youth Food Committee, youth will have the opportunity to:
- Learn about food issues in York Region and develop leadership skills,
- Connect with other engaged youth and leaders in York Region,
- Pitch, contribute and/or lead food policy, advocacy and/or education initiatives.
- Be part of something that positively impacts the community
Are you, or someone you know:
- Between the ages of 18-30 living, working, studying, or with roots in York Region?
- Interested in food issues, and/or social and environmental justice?
- Keen to share your experience and ideas while contributing to advocacy, education and policy processes to address local food and justice issues?
If the answer is “YES!” join our Youth Food Committee! Please contact morgans@yrfn.ca for more details
Our first meeting will be held online in January or February of 2021. This meeting will be a co-design session to discuss the Committee’s interests and what you wish to gain or actions you’re interested in talking with the Youth Food Committee.
Community Gardens
York Region Food Network is looking for volunteers to assist with general garden maintenance duties throughout the growing season at our community gardens located in Newmarket and Aurora. If you are interested, please indicate which of the two gardens you would like to help out with and YRFN will place you on the contact list. Interested volunteers will be contacted in May to discuss the volunteer schedules for each of the garden projects during the growing season. Most volunteer opportunities will take place during weekday evenings or on the weekend.
Board of Directors:
YRFN is led by a volunteer Board of Directors elected annually at our Annual General Meeting.
Interested individuals who meet the following criteria, are invited to submit their names for consideration:
- Live or work in York Region
- Willing to dedicate a minimum of 5 hours per month
- Willing to make a 2 year commitment to the Board
We are seeking people who have experience in the following areas:
- Fundraising/Event Planning
