Cultivate & Connect Volunteer Program
None of the programs, events and growing opportunities would be possible without the volunteers that donate their time and energy to the Local Food Initiative. Whether its getting into our gardens every week, or volunteering for one event - everything matters. Together we are serving the community and building a more sustainable and just food system.
Purpose: We’re on a mission to engage community members in meaningful volunteer work while fostering connection, learning, and gratitude. This program supports our community gardens, fundraising events and markets by creating a vibrant, inclusive, and rewarding experience for volunteers.
Volunteer Roles
In 2026 we need:
Coop Garden Stewards: Help plant, weed, and maintain community gardens. We need 500 hours of volunteer time over the 2026 season to run our 4 community gardens successfully.
Harvest Helpers: Assist with picking produce and make foodbank donations.
Event Ambassadors: Support our fundraising events through the 2026 season - these events are vital to raising money that goes towards operating our gardens and educational programs. Key dates that are confirmed for 2026 are:
September 19-20 2026: Revelstoke Garlic Festival (setup, welcome ambassadors, fundraising, kids games, workshops, teardown).
Food Skills Mentors: Teach new gardeners or children about growing food and kitchen literacy skills. Do you have skills you want to share with the community? We offer a modest honorarium, and offer our workshops on a sliding scale by donation.
Market Assistants: Support our market manager for setup, day of ambassadorship, and education markets. Our summer markets run on Saturdays from 8-1 (setup starts at 6:30am).
Media: We are looking for talented folks in the community who are have photography & videography skills to help capture our projects and impact.
Committee leaders: At the LFI we run and lead 6 important committees that guide the work of our contractors and programs. Do you have a will to contribute as a leader in the community? Join one of our committees.
Board of Directors: We are seeking several new board members with unique skills to add to our leadership & governance work. Are you skilled in gardens, food security, fundraising and/or marketing? Are you skilled in the use of google suites, information technology and organizational structure? Are you experienced with fiscal management in relation to non-profits and societies?
Incentives & Givebacks
In 2025 we’re elevating our volunteer community experience. We want the time you give to not only give you the good-feels, but for you to get some sweet community givebacks to thank you for your service to the community.
Coop gardens: Get fresh food for hours given to the coop garden at Illecillewaet road.
Volunteer Potlucks: Host seasonal gatherings with food grown in the gardens.
LFI membership: Volunteer a certain number of hours and earn yourself an LFI membership. Details TBD.
Milestone Gifts: Celebrate contributions with branded items like reusable totes, t-shirts, or garden tools after a set number of hours.
Workshops and Classes: Free or discounted entry to gardening, cooking, or sustainability classes.
Garden Goodies: Offer fresh produce, herbs, or flowers from the garden when available.
Training and Skill Development
Orientation Sessions (gardens & markets): Provide an overview of the program and basic gardening skills.
Skill-Building Workshops: Learn gardening, composting, irrigation, market logistics etc.
Want to volunteer & contribute to the LFI? Email info@revelstokelocalfood.com
