Food security initiative looking for northern B.C. volunteers

By Abigail Popple, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, RMG

Young adults interested in food security and environmental stewardship may find some food for thought in Rise Up, a B.C. based program that places volunteers in local organizations and businesses focused on food systems. Jointly funded by the Public Health Association of BC and the Canada Service Corps, the program is continuing to accept applications from anyone between the ages of 15-30 based in northern B.C.                                                                                                                   

The program does not require prior experience in volunteering or working in agriculture. The idea is to make the program as accessible as possible to inspire more youth to work in food systems, and give them experience they can draw on when applying to jobs in the future, said Rise Up’s provincial manager Lauren Bernardi.

“If you have even the littlest bit of curiosity about food systems and environmental stewardship, absolutely apply,” Bernardi said. “We really see [this program] as an opportunity to address food insecurity and employability challenges, while also giving educational opportunities for youth.

She added that Rise Up has a commitment to finding volunteers across the province – this year’s cohort will include ten volunteers from northern B.C. Volunteers can do anything from remotely handling social media for a non-profit to getting your hands dirty growing food in community gardens.

Rise Up covers travel costs to the host organization and a retreat on Vancouver Island, which can be especially valuable for volunteers from more remote parts of B.C., said northern lead Cameron Bell.

“As someone who lives in the north and went to university in the north, I think it’s really important for us to have those opportunities to gather with people from across the province and build relationships,” Bell said. “[You] get to know your peers that have similar interests that you might not have met otherwise because you live in other places.”

When the program had its first pilot run in 2023, one volunteer was placed in Valemount to work remotely for Robson Valley Community Services, Bell added. 

This year’s northern programs will largely focus on finding host organizations in the northwest, and the 2026-2027 cohort will focus more on northeastern organizations, Bell said. However, he said this guideline is not set in stone, and encourages northeastern groups who need a volunteer placement this year to apply.

“We’re trying to maintain some flexibility so that we can find youth that are excited and inspired to be working in food systems and then find an opportunity that really speaks to them,” he said. 

The program will continue to accept applications from northern B.C. volunteers until all 10 spots are filled, Bell added. He said potential volunteers can contact him with any questions at [email protected].

“I’m a farmer, and I would love to see more youth participating in food production, but also participating in our food systems in other ways, such as food banks, community gardens [and] food literacy initiatives,” Bell said. “You eat three times a day – everybody needs farmers, everybody needs food, and we would love to see more youth involved in our food systems.”