April Food Mover: We Teach, We Transform

Sam with carrots at Camden Street Learning Garden

As I look over the classes, workshops, and trainings we hold, I see a common thread woven throughout: We Teach in order to bring long-lasting systemic change. We want to see our neighbors empowered with knowledge .

We Teach ... so that people gain employment.

We Teach ... so that families make sound choices-for their dinner tables and for their bank accounts.

We Teach... so that children are active and engaged.

We Teach... so that garden-fresh produce has a place on every family's table.

From Culinary Job Training - a Food Shuttle program for eighteen years - to our newest agricultural training program, to Seed to Supper, it is all about empowerment and transformation.

Transforming people's lives and future prospects .

Transforming childhood outcomes.

Transforming our attitudes about and expectations on our food systems.

We will continue teaching for lasting change as long as we are here.

I am grateful to work with this dedicated group of educators, and I am even more grateful for the individuals who are so willing and excited to learn!

Dave Koch

IFFS Executive Director

Stories from the IFFS Blog:

"Now I can cook as a chef!" IFFS graduates 71st CJTP class

On Saint Patrick's day, our Culinary Job Training Program graduated two fresh-out-of-the-box cooks: Fatma and Patrick. What a way to kick off spring!

Seed to Supper Graduates Ready to Grow

13 students completed the beginner gardening course, and are now armed with the knowledge and continuing resources to grow healthy food at home.

Nutrition Education offered state-wide

You may know IFFS as a Triangle organization, but our Nutrition Education department reaches from Boone to Morehead City - thanks to Satellite Partners!

Celebrating Community Champions during AmeriCorps Week

In honor of AmeriCorps Week, we'd like to introduce you to our three current AmeriCorps.

We're Hiring:

TRANSPORTATION MANAGER

The Transportation Manager is responsible for managing the fleet of trucks that recovers and redistributes food throughout our 7-county service area. Hires, trains and helps supervise employees as well as scheduling of routes. LEARN MORE AND APPLY

IFFS in the News:

* Raleigh program encourages families to cook healthy meals together (pictured) READ

* $1 million GSK IMPACT Grant awarded to build healthy futures for young people aging out of foster care in the Triangle READ

* WRAL New Media Digs the Camden St. Learning Garden READ

* COOKING MATTERS: New class emphasizes nutrition, budgeting READ

Getting Social:

Wonderful women packing items for @foodshuttle's Backpack Buddies program!! A meaningful way to help school children be fed when away from school. #fightinghunger

@sapcraleigh

Great work by everyone who volunteered in the BackPack Buddies and Grocery Bags for Seniors programs today at Inter-Faith Food Shuttle!

Zift Solutions

Volunteering with coworkers at Interfaith Food Shuttle in downtown Raleigh today. #givingbacktothecommunity

@dsweeneyjr

Thank goodness for small miracles! Bet you didn't know broccoli seeds look like tiny silver pearls! #gianteggplantfarm #organic #fabulous #farmfabulous #gayfarmer #gayfarmboy #farmlife

@gianteggplantfarm

I like cornbread and collard greens

@jackie_m_

A thing of beauty! We have partnered with @foodshuttle and started a compost site at their Geer St. Urban Garden! That's right, we're #composting in downtown #Durham.

@tilthyrichcompost

Thank You to Our Supporters:

* THANK YOU NC Association of Feeding America Food Banks , Young Lawyers Division of the N.C. Bar Association , and Attorney General Roy Cooper f or raising food and funds during March's Legal Feeding Frenzy (pictured)

Recipe of the Month:

Chipotle Black Bean and Rice Burger recipe

Upcoming Events:

William's 4th Annual Food Drive for BackPack Buddies

April 16, 9am-4pm: Volunteer a 2-hour shift to collect food and funds for BackPack Buddies during William's annual weekend food drive. A GREAT opportunity for kids and families!

Lunch & Learn at IFFS: April 5

April 5: Join the IFFS leadership team for a 1-hour behind-the-scenes tour and lunch Q&A opportunity. RSVP today!

Cook, Eat, & Pickle Workshop (April Second Saturday)

April 9, 10am-noon: Attendees will learn how to cook with preserved and fermented foods, sample new recipes, and pickle some of springs early bounty!

Blossoms of Hope Luncheon

May 1, 12:30-2:30pm: RSVP by April 26th for this 5-course luncheon, prepared by one of Raleigh's finest restaurants - assisted by Culinary Job Training Program students and grads.

Help Us 'Beet' Hunger:

Tonight, 272,000 men, women, and children in our community will go to bed hungry because they don't have any food. Please make your most generous gift today to ensure we can provide nourishing food for everyone who turns to us for help.

IFFS is donor funded, please join us in our work.

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