Volunteer
Give back to your community, support a healthy food system, and gain valuable skills by volunteering with Foodwise. Volunteers are vital members of our team who perform a wide range of duties such as assisting customers at our farmers markets, supporting chef demos, teaching kids to cook, and helping out behind the scenes at the Foodwise office. Make new friends and get hands-on culinary, event, and nonprofit experience by sharing your time and talents with Foodwise.
Individual Volunteering
To get started, please complete our online application and read through our volunteer handbook. You will also need to attend an volunteer orientation (which we host every three to five months) or watch a recording of one. Sign up for our next in-person orientation on Saturday, September 6, at the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market.
If you are not able to attend or want to get started sooner, email for a link to the latest recording.
Have questions? Please contact us:
Volunteer Opportunities
Here are brief descriptions of some of the opportunities available at Foodwise. For more details, read the Foodwise Volunteer Handbook.
Farmers Market Volunteer
Help provide customer services at the Foodwise Info Booth and Veggie Valet at Foodwise farmers markets.
Benefits
- Be at the center of the action! Learn about what’s in season and where vendors are located
- Meet your community and local chefs, and see what they’re buying at the farmers market
- Support community food access through programs like CalFresh and Market Match
Culinary Program Volunteer
Provide support for Foodwise cooking demos, market tastings, and other public education programs.
Benefits
- Cook with local chefs and cookbook authors
- Learn culinary skills and new recipes (no formal cooking experience needed!)
- Familiarize yourself with the farmers market community and seasonal produce
Foodwise Kids Volunteer
Help facilitate hands-on learning opportunities for elementary school students participating in Foodwise Kids, a two-hour culinary farmers market field trip program that takes place on Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market.
Benefits
- Educate and inspire elementary school children to learn about healthy and seasonal eating, farmers markets, and where there food comes from
- Build relationships with farmers while developing valuable skills in teaching, facilitation, and program coordination
Events Volunteer
Assist in the preparation, promotion, and execution of events in support of Foodwise’s mission, such as fundraising events and farmers market celebrations. Detailed descriptions of roles and duties will be provided for each specific event.
Benefits
- Support Foodwise at our most crucial fundraising moments when we need people power
- Learn more about fundraising campaigns and how they work
- Understand the complexities and be part of the excitement of top-tier food events
- Make friends and have fun!
Communications and Outreach Volunteer
Assist in the promotion of and communication about Foodwise’s mission, farmers markets, education programs, and fundraising events. Depending on each volunteer’s skills and interests, projects may include research, writing, photography, videography, or participating in community outreach events.
Benefits
- Use your creative skills and talents to help educate and inspire our community
- Help farmers and food makers share their stories
- Help Foodwise advance our mission through community outreach and education
What’s it like to volunteer with Foodwise? Meet some of our dedicated community members as they describe their experiences and share why they give their time.
Internship Opportunities
Foodwise offers both paid an unpaid internship opportunities to support and participate in our programs more deeply.
Group Volunteering and Corporate Team Building
Enjoy a curated team-building experience that supports employee retention, fosters health and wellness, and puts your corporate social responsibility goals in action. Foodwise coordinates activities for groups of 10 to 20. Participants enjoy an experience that builds community within their team, deepens understanding of sustainable food systems, and ends by sharing fresh and delicious food from the farmers market. In a single shift, you’ll be helping to feed and educate hundreds of people in our city!