Urban Growers Volunteer Training Program

Volunteer Position: Urban Grower Volunteer
Organization: Fred Victor 
Main Location: 40 Oak Steet, Toronto, ON, M5A 2C6

• Department: Food Services
• Supervisor: Garden & Food Sustainability Coordinator
• Program Length & Commitment: 3 month program – 4 hours total per week
• Program Sessions: Tues & Thurs weekly sessions – 2 hours per session
• Application Deadline: Ongoing

About Fred Victor

Fred Victor is a multi-service, non-religious, social service charitable organization. We work with people experiencing poverty and homelessness. Every day, more than 3,000 people use our programs and services, located at over 20 sites across Toronto. The services we provide include housing support, health, employment and training services, and food access programs. Our work is supported by a dedicated team of volunteers and staff.

Program Summary

The Urban Growers Volunteer Training Program is a volunteer opportunity for people interested in urban agriculture, food systems learning, and supporting local food access. The program runs twice per year, with one cohort in early summer (May–July) and one in late summer (August–October).

Each cohort includes 10 volunteers who steward Fred Victor’s communal and allotment garden spaces through two weekly training sessions. With a focus on growing fresh produce and medicinal plants for Fred Victor’s Food Access programs, volunteers also participate in learning and skills development throughout the season.

This program is suited for individuals who enjoy working outdoors, want to build confidence in community food spaces, are interested in regenerative gardening in the city and food justice work serving low-income and culturally diverse communities.

Position Summary: Urban Grower Volunteer

Urban Grower Volunteers are part of a learning cohort that builds practical gardening skills, food literacy, and food systems knowledge while supporting the day-to-day operations of Fred Victor’s garden sites.

Urban Growers work together across all Fred Victor communal and allotment gardens as needed, contributing to planting, maintenance, composting, harvesting, and basic processing of produce for 40 Oak community meals. Each session combines a learning topic with hands-on garden work.

No prior gardening experience is required.

Program Timeline

• Cohorts:
  • Cohort 1: May 12th –July 30th OR
  • Cohort 2: August 18th – October 29th
• Schedule:
  • Tuesdays and Thursdays
  • 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
  • Minimum commitment of 3 months

What You Will Learn

• Practical gardening and food-growing skills
• Increased garden and food literacy
• Confidence working in community, food and garden spaces
• Opportunities to build leadership and teamwork skills
• A deeper understanding of community food systems and food access work

Key Responsibilities

• Support garden maintenance tasks such as:
  • Garden bed preparation as needed
  • Planting, watering, weeding, pruning, and harvesting
  • Compost management, waste disposal and general site upkeep
• Assist with harvesting and processing produce for community meals
• Support other garden-related activities and needs as required

Skills & Qualifications

• Enthusiastic about learning and working in urban agriculture/community food access
• Comfortable working outdoors in various weather, and doing physical tasks
• Ability to work respectfully with people from diverse cultural backgrounds and with lived experience of poverty, mental health and homelessness
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Comfortable walking between garden locations up to 5–7-minute walk away
• Ability to lift 25-50 lbs
• Gardening experience is not required

What We Expect from Volunteers

• A positive attitude and openness to learning
• Reliability and commitment to scheduled shifts (Tuesdays and Thursdays) for 3 months
• Respect, empathy, and compassion for people from all walks of life including those experiencing homelessness and poverty
• Willingness to follow safety procedures and organizational policies
• Work cooperatively with fellow volunteers, staff, and community members
• Follow safety guidelines, policies, and volunteer code of conduct

What You Can Expect from Us

• Meaningful volunteer work and experience that directly supports community food access
• A safe, inclusive, and supportive workplace
• Training, orientation, and ongoing support
• Respect for lived experience and diverse identities
• Clear communication and responsiveness to feedback
• A letter to confirm you are volunteering if needed

Additional Information

• Volunteers must be 18 years of age or older
• Police Record Check required (cost covered by Fred Victor)
• Volunteers participate in an onboarding process including interview, background check process, orientation, and training
• A preference may be given to applicants from the local community if applications exceed capacity

To apply, please email Jgeroche@fredvictor.org
Subject: Volunteer training program

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Thank you for your interest in volunteering at Fred Victor!

We strive to foster a workplace that reflects the diversity of the community we serve and welcome applications from all qualified candidates; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. | Fred Victor is also committed to developing an inclusive, barrier-free selection process and work environment. Please advise the manager if you require any accommodation measures to ensure you will be interviewed in a fair and equitable manner. Information received relating to accommodation requests will be treated with confidentiality.