The post Statement in Solidarity with Palestine appeared first on LUSH.

It’s our birthday, and we’re celebrating with a mission! Let’s come together to raise $25,000 by June 30, in honour of 25 amazing years of nourishing our community!

Thanks to the generosity of local entrepreneur Grant Powers of Coastwood Private Wealth, your donation will be DOUBLED this May and June, up to $5,000! Donate now to increase the power of your dollar.

Donate today!

Since 2000, LUSH Valley has grown from a small grassroots group of community volunteers to a 20+ person team, touching the lives of nearly 5,000 people in the community each month. But we couldn’t do it without you!

As we celebrate 25 incredible years of Sharing the Harvest, consider giving us a gift that keeps on giving: a monthly donation. If we can reach a total of $2,500 in recurring donations a month, we can put more energy towards distributing nourishing, local food in the Comox Valley.

The need for our programs is greater than ever, with rising costs and a decrease in available grant funding creating a squeeze. A commitment of just $25 a month is enough to provide regular, nourishing meals to a senior in need. Every donation makes a difference!

4 ways to support us without donating

1. 1. 1. Spearhead a community-led fundraising event such as a market, concert, trivia night or fun run
      2. Rally your coworkers to raise funds as a team
      3. Tell your friends about the amazing work we do, or join our volunteer Outreach team
      4. Like, comment and share our posts on Facebook and Instagram

The post Celebrating 25 years of Sharing the Harvest! appeared first on LUSH.

We’re also delighted to share that Executive Director, Maurita Prato, will continue to be a guiding force at LUSH! Maurita’s vision and dedication has shaped LUSH Valley into the impactful organization it is today. With Arzeena on board, we are embracing a unique co-leadership model that adds capacity to our organization and allows us to be more responsive, collaborative, and innovative in addressing the complex issues around food justice and access in the Comox Valley.

“We have chosen Arzeena for this position for her proven leadership in sustainable agriculture, her deep roots in the Comox Valley, and her strong alignment with our mission to build resilient, equitable food systems. It is a very exciting addition to our team that will help LUSH Valley continue to grow and adapt to meet the needs in our community, and work towards our vision of local food at the heart of community well-being” says Maurita.

Arzeena has worked with LUSH for many years, as a produce supplier and workshop facilitator, and supported the launch of the Comox Valley Food Policy Council. Her extensive experience and deep commitment to sustainable food security will support and strengthen our mission of nurturing food systems and strengthening community connections.

“I’m thrilled and honoured to be joining the LUSH Valley team,” says Hamir. “This is an organization I’ve held in such high regard and have worked with since 2012 when I first arrived in the Comox Valley. LUSH is an incredible asset to our community and I am so pleased to support the organization moving forward.”

Arzeena has an extensive background in sustainable food systems, holding a Bachelor’s degree in Crop Science from the University of Guelph and a Master’s degree in Sustainable Agriculture from Wye College, University of England. She was a CUSO volunteer in Thailand for two years (and still speaks rudimentary Thai) and completed her Master’s research in Gujarat, India studying indigenous agricultural knowledge.

Upon returning to Canada, Arzeena was the Staff Agrologist for West Coast Seeds from 1997-99 and then worked with the Richmond Sharing Farm, a non-profit group that grows food for the Richmond Food Bank. She was heavily involved in food security programs in her home community of Richmond, establishing the Richmond Food Security Society serving as the first ED from 2008-2012. Her role entailed managing the City’s 200 community garden plots, teaching organic gardening classes, developing community kitchens and holding food preservation classes.

In 2012, Arzeena moved her family to the Comox Valley to start Amara Farm, a 26-acre certified organic farm. She also volunteered with CV Seed Savers and helped to establish the Mid Island Farmer’s Institute. Along with a number of local parents, Arzeena started the community’s first Salad Bar program at Huband Park Elementary and supported other schools like Lake Trail, Robb Road and Isfeld to start similar programs.

Arzeena also comes with experience in the political realm, having been elected as Area B Director and Vice Chair at the Comox Valley Regional District from 2018-2022 and having run for the BC Green Party in 2024. Charitable organizations are, by definition, non-partisan. As a registered charity, LUSH Valley’s work has and will continue to include non-partisan advocacy, centered in our organizational values and vision, serving the entire community and working collaboratively with people of all political beliefs.

Together, with Maurita and Arzeena at the helm, we are looking forward to strengthening and growing our programs to continue to increase community access to healthy local food and support local farmers. Welcome to the team, Arzeena!

The post Food Security Champion Arzeena Hamir Joins LUSH Valley Leadership Team appeared first on LUSH.

LUSH Valley envisions a region where healthy local food is at the heart of community wellbeing. We support the Comox Valley community to gain food-systems tools, engage in just and resilient local food systems, and receive equitable access to nourishing food through programs such as the Good Food Box Program, Hot Meal Program, Healthy Student Meal Program, Urban Agriculture and educational Healthy Food Programs such as Community Kitchens and Young Cooks. 

Community support has been a cornerstone of LUSH Valley’s work since we registered as a non-profit society nearly 25 years ago. The work that we do would not be possible without organizations and community members such as yourselves.

There are many ways to support LUSH Valley’s work: Make a one-time donation, bring your staff together for a fundraising drive, place a LUSH Valley donation box at your till, or become a 2025 Business Sponsor and be recognized as a food security champion throughout the year!

Email admin@lushvalley.org for more information or to register your organization today!

Just $6 provides one hot meal to a senior or housing-insecure person. $25 provides nourishing meals to a senior for a month, $100 provides healthy meals to a student throughout the school year and $400 provides a Good Food Box to a food-insecure family for a year. 

To donate today, visit lushvalley.org/donate

By choosing to support LUSH Valley, you are strengthening the local food system, supporting our local food economy, contributing to community growth and improving access to healthy, local food for those in our community who need it most.

The post Show Your Support for Local Food Security on Giving Tuesday appeared first on LUSH.

For more information and to register, visit our Events page.

Jill Lamberts is a Chef and Farmer passionate about growing, fermenting, cooking & enjoying local food. She has a professional background in culinary arts and a wealth of knowledge in fermenting, baking, canning, and more.

Please note: Bursaries are available for this workshop. If the cost of this workshop is a barrier for you in attending, please send us an email at admin@lushvalley.org.

The post Community Kitchens: Winter Offerings appeared first on LUSH.

For more information and to register, visit our Events page.

Jill Lamberts is a Chef and Farmer passionate about growing, fermenting, cooking & enjoying local food. She has a professional background in culinary arts and a wealth of knowledge in fermenting, baking, canning, and more.

Please note: Bursaries are available for this workshop. If the cost of this workshop is a barrier for you in attending, please send us an email at admin@lushvalley.org.

The post Community Kitchens: The Autumn Series appeared first on LUSH.

Come join us for our 20th Anniversary Virtual AGM via Zoom on July 7th, from 6:30-8:00 p.m. Highlights include updates on our program activities from April 1, 2019, to March 31, 2020, and recognizing 20 years of LUSH Valley!

Click here to register for our AGM on Eventbrite.

WANT VOTING RIGHTS AT OUR AGM?

To ensure that you are a member with voting rights, you must renew your annual membership or register as a new member on our website. When you log in (or create a new profile) be sure to scroll down to the last checkbox and click ‘become a member’.

– Memberships are free but must be renewed annually by logging into our online database.

– While you do not need to be a current volunteer, if you have volunteered for three hours or more for LUSH Valley in the last year you are technically considered to be a member (please be sure that you are registered in our system).
– If you signed up on our website in the past you are considered to be a member, however, you will need to log in to update your profile.

Click here to sign up as a new member and/or to renew your current membership.

Need help logging in? Call us  (during business hours) at 250-331-0152 for assistance.

The post 20th Anniversary Annual General Meeting! appeared first on LUSH.

* This position is available based on the confirmation of funding though Service Canada, Canada Summer Jobs.

ABOUT US: LUSH Valley Food Action Society is a Comox Valley-based non-profit organization. We envision a region where healthy, local food is at the heart of community well-being. We work to support the Comox Valley community in gaining food-systems skills and knowledge to increase food security, self-sufficiency, and local food production across the region.

– Candidates should have excellent attention to detail, problem-solving skills, and great customer service. Experience with Microsoft Office (including Excel) is necessary, experience with gardening, farming, and/or cooking is an asset. Passion for local food systems and programs is required. This role is a physically demanding one and candidates should be able to assist with physical labour.
– The Program Assistants will report directly to the Executive Director and be supervised primarily by the Food Access Manager and the Community Garden Coordinator.
– The Program Assistant will support LUSH Valley’s spring and summer programs including food production (farm and garden), food distribution (packing and deliveries) cooking programs (if applicable this season) including the Share the Harvest and Vanier Community Gardens, the Fruit Tree and Farm Gleaning Programs and our Emergency Food Share Programs.

Program Assistant Job Qualifications

The position is supported by Canada Summer Jobs/HRSDC. To be considered for the position applicants must be between 15 and 30 years of age AND ALSO:
– Canadian Citizen, permanent residence and legally entitled to work in Canada
– High school diploma with additional relevant post-secondary education or equivalent experience. (Based on our funding request we are interested but not limited to hiring a student taking courses in one of the following: Environmental Studies, Biology, Ecology, –Ethnoecology, Nursing or Health-Care related fields, Social Work, Sociology, Food Studies, Community Economic Development.)
– An upbeat personality with a can-do attitude.
– Good time management and organizational skills.
– Demonstrated ability to be self-directed, well organized, able to prioritize and multi-task.- 
– Clear Criminal Record Check. (through LUSH Valley.)
– Current drivers abstract and a reliable vehicle
– Excellent communication skills including online, written, verbal and presentation.
– Ability to foster and maintain positive working relationships.
– Work Environment (Equipment, Demands and Hazards)
– Candidates should have access to a home office or the ability to work virtually as needed. Most work will be completed on various sites around the Comox Valley region with limited time worked out of the central Courtenay office.
– There will be some heavy lifting of fresh food, supplies and equipment. (ability to lift 50lbs multiple times)
– Physical labour such as gardening, harvesting fruit and vegetables as well as distributing food is a major component of this job.
– Casual and business attire required for appropriate activities.
– Work hours will be 30 hours per week for 8 weeks or an equivalent number of hours, your schedule must be somewhat flexible to include Friday; evening and/or weekend hours as needed.
– Valid driver’s license and comfortable driving a van
– Use of office equipment required; phone, photocopier, computers and software
– The worker will follow LUSH Valley Employment policies.

Responsibilities:

– Follow workplace safety and COVD-19-related protocols
– Answer phones and respond to inquiries
– Coordinate volunteers as necessary
– Assist with organizational planning and implementation of our Annual General Meeting.
– Assist with coordination of the Fruit Tree and Farm Gleaning Programs
– Liaising with homeowners and farmers
– Communicating to volunteers the proper harvest procedures and protocol,
– Recording, sorting and distributing the harvest
– Provide Information on the Fruit Tree Program; register trees and sign up volunteers.
– Pick up and distribute fruit and vegetables to partner organizations
– Train new volunteers to harvest fruit and vegetables
– Assess fruit trees and gardens for readiness to harvest
– Provide farm labourer when needed
– Delivery of fruits and vegetables (packing van, driving and delivering food to recipients)
– Assist with coordination and maintenance of the Share the Harvest, Vanier and other Community Gardens
– Seed packing and seed and seedling distribution
– Organize volunteer databases – data entry
– Foster relationships with community partners through participation in community meetings in conjunction with members and staff as needed
– Support our Food Share Emergency Food delivery programs
– Work in the warehouse in shipping and receiving
– Work in the warehouse to pack food boxes and support volunteers to pack food boxes
– Assist cooks
– Assist with our Young Cooks Summer Camps (if applicable)
– Other organizational tasks as required

Compensation: $15/hour – 30 hours/week – 8 weeks/year (or the equivalent number of hours) staggered from May 25th to August 28th, 2020
Posting closes: May 19th, 2019
Interviews: Week of May 18 (We may start interviews prior to the closing date if we have suitable candidates)
Start date: May 25th, 2019 End date: Aug 30th, 2019

EMAIL YOUR RESUME & COVER LETTER TO: Maurita@LUSHValley.org

LUSH Valley is grateful to receive all applications. Unfortunately, we can only contact shortlisted candidates.

* LUSH Valley believes in diversity, employment equity and social justice. We encourage applications from all community members but would be especially interested in receiving them from Indigenous peoples, visible minorities, persons with a disability, GLBTQ people, and members of marginalized communities.

Benefits:

Work from home opportunities
Flexible working hours
On-site parking
Casual dress

The post We Are Hiring Summer Students – Program Assistant appeared first on LUSH.

NOTE: This position is available based on the confirmation of funding though Service Canada, Canada Summer Jobs.

Candidates should have excellent attention to detail, problem-solving skills, and great customer service. Experience with Microsoft Office (including Excel) is necessary, website design, social media, data entry, communications and other administrative experience is an asset. The Office Assistant(s) will report directly to the Executive Director and be supervised primarily by the Healthy Food Coordinator and the Emergency Food Share Coordinator. They will assist with LUSH Valley’s administrative, communications and organizational tasks.

Admin Assistant Job Qualifications:

– The position is supported by Canada Summer Jobs/HRSDC. To be considered for the position applicants must be between 15 and 30 years of age AND ALSO:
– Canadian Citizen, permanent residence and legally entitled to work in Canada
– High school diploma with additional relevant post-secondary education or equivalent experience. (Based on our funding request we are interested but not limited to hiring a student taking courses in one of the following: Environmental Studies, Biology, Ecology,  – Ethnoecology, Nursing or Health-Care related fields, Social Work, Sociology, Food Studies, Community Economic Development.)
– An upbeat personality with a can-do attitude.
– Good time management and organizational skills.
– Demonstrated ability to be self-directed, well organized, able to prioritize and multi-task.
– Clear Criminal Record Check. (through LUSH Valley.)
– Current drivers abstract and a reliable vehicle
– Excellent communication skills including online, written, verbal and presentation.
– Ability to foster and maintain positive working relationships.

Work Environment (Equipment, Demands and Hazards):

– Candidates should have access to a home office or the ability to work virtually as needed.
– Work hours will be 30 hours per week for 8 weeks or an equivalent number of hours, your schedule must be somewhat flexible to include Friday; evening and/or weekend hours as needed.
– Use of office equipment required; phone, photocopier, computers and software (including Microsoft Office and Google Drive).
– The worker will follow LUSH Valley Employment policies.

Responsibilities:

– Support the administrative and communications aspects of the organization
– Assist with our Emergency Food Share &/or Healthy Foods Programs
– Answer phones and respond to inquiries
– Monitor the admin e-mail
– Assist with call centre volunteers, including training new volunteers
– Supporting website, e-newsletter and social media updates
– Calling Good Food Box recipients
– Taking notes at meetings
– Data entry and phone calling for LUSH Emergency Food Share programs
– Assisting with organizational planning including our Annual General Meeting
– Organize volunteer databases – data entry
– Other organizational tasks as required.

LUSH Valley is grateful to receive all applications. Unfortunately, we can only contact shortlisted candidates.

* LUSH Valley believes in diversity, employment equity and social justice. We encourage applications from all community members but would be especially interested in receiving them from Indigenous peoples, visible minorities, persons with a disability, GLBTQ people, and members of marginalized communities.

Compensation $15/hour – 30 hours/week – 8 weeks/year (or the equivalent number of hours) staggered from May 25th to August 28th, 2020
Posting closes: May 19th, 2019
Interviews: Week of May 18 or sooner if we have suitable candidates.
Start date: May 25th, 2019 End date: Aug 30th, 2019

EMAIL YOUR RESUME & COVER LETTER TO: Maurita@LUSHValley.org

The post We Are Hiring Summer Students – Admin Assistant appeared first on LUSH.