Food Justice Fellows ~ Class of 2012 Applications Due by April 1, 2012
By Andrew Kang-Bartlett, Presbyterian Hunger Program
Alison Cohen and Food Justice Fellow Blain Snipstal at assembly in Oakland
The purpose of the Food Justice Fellows program is to connect Presbyterians and others to the agrarian roots of the Hebrew Scriptures and New Testament and to inspire and equip people, congregations, and communities to fight hunger and poverty by rebuilding local food economies here in the U.S. and to support the same overseas through advocacy and campaigns. And to spread justice as part of our faith journey. Food Justice Fellows are based around the United States and the 2012 Class will join continuing 2011 Fellows.
Food Justice Fellows are a cohort of faith-based organizers connected to the Presbyterian Hunger Program (PHP). PHP will arrange for at least one training/networking opportunity for the Fellows. Small support grants from PHP (given through the presbytery, a congregation or local organization) may also be available to help the Fellows with food justice/local food economy events they may organize in their region. PHP will correspond with and do conference calls with the Fellows regularly (currently 2nd and 4th Thursdays at 4:00 pm eastern time) to exchange ideas, share best practices, discuss readings and provide updates on the U.S. and global food sovereignty movement and related work inside and outside the church. The Presbyterian Hunger Program staff and Food Justice Fellows will provide each other with mutual support, accountability and camaraderie.
Application process: Interested individuals should send their completed applications to Andrew Kang Bartlett (andrew.kangbartlett@pcusa.org) by April 1, 2012. Selected Fellows will be announced in May. Application forms can be downloaded HERE.
Frequently Asked Questions
Actual questions asked by real people…
1) Is this only for Presbyterians?
Presbyterians and persons of other faiths are invited to apply. The majority are Presbyterians (so you must be able to tolerate them), but we have other faiths represented as well. That said, Fellows must be currently doing or be willing/planning to collaborate with Presbyterians and Presbyterian congregations in their food justice/local food economy building work.
2) I am wondering about the work/job component. Can the applicants have any job in the food industry?
If the Fellow is employed, the job doesn’t have to be food-related, but they would need to also be doing food justice/sustainable ag-related work (either paid or unpaid) as part of their life.
3) Does the fellowship come with a stipend so I can look for internships?
There is no stipend. There is some funding available for events or activities that the FJF coordinates or is active leading around food justice, i.e. a program with community, churches, presbytery, government, etc. (for example, the Fellow organzes a county-wide Food Justice Teach-In with a tour of local farms, ‘food deserts’, a processing plant and city hall to talk with government officials about starting a Food Policy Council. PHP could provide a matching grant of $1000 or so to help make that possible.)
4) Can I be located anywhere in the U.S.?
Yes.
5) Where and when would the face-to-face gathering be for the Fellows?
We will be meeting face-to-face as part of the Joining Hands Against Hunger International Gathering in Chicago from August 12-18 and will have designated FJF time together the last couple days of our time in Chicago. Participation in this gathering is very important for the Fellowship.
6) Would you provide funding for transportation to this gathering?
There are scholarships available based on need, but we will expect the Fellow to raise some funds. The lack of personal funds will not limit participation.
7) Is the fellowship a year long program?
We will do annual work plans, but those that wish to and who are in good standing would continue on year after year as several are doing from the first Class of 2011.
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