Healthy food, Cooking education

Position: Healthy Food Program Coordinator
Organization: LUSH Valley Food Action Society
Location: 2342 Rosewall Crescent, Courtenay BC

• Wage: $28.01/hour, Plus holiday, benefits and wellness package
• Schedule: 20 hours a week
• Generally Monday – Thursday, 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM with some flexibility for occasional evenings and weekends
• Program delivery is at various sites throughout the Comox Valley
• Posting Opens: Feb 11th, 2026
• Posting Closes: Feb 25th, 2026
• Start/End date: March 23rd or ASAP
• Interviews: March 5th & 10th
• Benefits: Benefits package, wellness spending and three weeks vacation

GENERAL OVERVIEW

LUSH Valley Food Action Society is a Comox Valley based non-profit organization. We envision a region where healthy, local food is at the heart of community wellbeing. We support the Comox Valley community to gain food-systems tools, engage in just and resilient local food systems and receive equitable access to nourishing food.

When you work with LUSH Valley, you become part of an energetic and passionate team making positive change in the Comox Valley.

ROLE SUMMARY

LUSH Valley is seeking a creative and community-minded cooking educator to coordinate and facilitate our Healthy Food educational programs, including Young Cooks and Community Kitchens. The Healthy Food Program Coordinator will be the lead facilitator of LUSH Valley’s hands-on food skills programming for youth and adults.

The ideal candidate is an experienced instructor and cook who is passionate about working with children, youth and vulnerable adults, and can confidently lead and teach news food skills to a group of diverse individuals in the kitchen. They should be passionate about building food literacy through fun and practical cooking experiences.

Working under the supervision of the Healthy Food Program Manager, the Coordinator will plan and deliver engaging programming while managing the behind-the-scenes logistics that ensure each session runs smoothly. The ideal candidate will have experience working with children, youth , vulnerable adults and a diversity of individuals, particularly in kitchen settings.

This role involves program delivery across multiple community locations throughout the Comox Valley, including schools, partner sites, and affordable housing. The programming schedule varies week to week and may include occasional weekend or evening programming. Some flexibility in scheduling will be required.

ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES

YOUNG COOKS [65%]

• Plan and teach hands-on food skills education sessions for various groups of children and youth
• Create new workshops and curriculum tailored for various groups- including Indigenous children, and youth
• Develop age-appropriate, creative, and budget-conscious session outlines and menus aligned with age-appropriate learning objectives
• Purchase food and supplies within budget parameters and track related expenses
• Maintain a focus on nourishing and local food wherever possible
• Transport food, equipment, and supplies to program sites as required
• Complete ingredient preparation, kitchen setup, and post-program cleanup
• Create a safe, inclusive, and engaging kitchen environment that builds confidence and practical cooking skills
• Adapt lessons and facilitation style to suit varying ages, abilities, food sensitivities and group dynamics
• Provide direction and supervision to volunteers during sessions, and foster a positive and supportive volunteer experience
• Ensure all food safety standards, allergy protocols, and risk management procedures are followed
• Maintain inventory of program equipment and ingredients and ensure materials are organized
• With the Healthy Food Program Manager, coordinate program schedules and logistics with schools and community partners
• With the Healthy Food Program Manager, recruit, onboard, and schedule volunteers
• Track participation numbers and encourage feedback
• With Manager, evaluate and improve program on an ongoing basis
• Represent LUSH Valley with professionalism and warmth in school and community settings
• Contribute to continuous improvement of program materials and systems in collaboration with the Healthy Food Program Manager

COMMUNITY KITCHENS [35%]

• Maintain a safe and inclusive learning environment for all participants.
• Coordinate and lead all aspects of hands on cooking workshops for a diverse range of programming, including hands-on workshops and community social meal-style programming.
• With skill and compassion work with low-income adults with various health barriers.
• Adapt programing as needed to work with various groups including: newcomers, multicultural, queer, Indigenous and/or low income, and/or people with disabilities and other specialized or marginalized groups
• With direction from the Healthy Food Program Manager, develop creative workshop concepts aligned with community needs
• With direction from the Healthy Food Program Manager, coordinate program dates, facilities, and details
• Facilitate weekly hands on teaching and meal programming at an affordable housing site, fostering a welcoming, stigma-free, and inclusive environment for participants
• Develop accessible, culturally appropriate, and budget-conscious recipes and menu plans
• Purchase food and supplies within budget parameters and track related expenses
• Manage all prep, transportation of supplies, kitchen setup, food safety compliance, and cleanup
• Foster a welcoming, inclusive, and stigma-free environment that supports food skills development and community connection
• Adapt programming to meet the needs of diverse participants and different demographics, including individuals experiencing food insecurity and poverty
• Build and maintain positive relationships with partner organizations and participants
• With the Healthy Food Program Manager, identify opportunities to expand or enhance programming based on community need
• Attend staff meetings and organizational meetings, training and events
• Support other LUSH programs, staff and activities on occasion as needed

SKILLS and ABILITIES

• Comfort working in dynamic community settings, including schools and affordable housing environments
• A friendly, engaging and, collaborative attitude
• Ability to deal quickly with change and pivot with minimal disruptions
• Ability to work independently and/or part of a team
• Ability to take a leadership role in the kitchen
• Excellent time-management and organizational skills
• Ability to organize, multitask and self-direct
• Ability to foster and maintain positive working relationships
• Strong English language written and verbal communication skills
• Proficiency in Google Workspace (including Google Drive, Google Docs, and Google Sheets)
• Physical ability to lift up to 50 pounds

QUALIFICATIONS

• 1+ years working with and/or teaching children, and youth
• Experience working with low income adults with various barriers (ex. Mental health or physical health challenges).
• Experience working with or teaching youth and diverse individuals
• 3+ years of culinary experience
• Formal culinary training an asset
• Formal teaching training an asset
• Experience Managing volunteers
• Class 5 driver's license with a clean driver's abstract and a personal vehicle
• Criminal record clearance for working with the vulnerable sector
• Valid FoodSafe Level 1 certification
• Basic first aid or better

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Various kitchens across the Comox Valley including schools, social housing and LUSH’s various commercial and residential kitchens.
• Repetitive and demanding physical tasks, including lifting somewhat heavy food and equipment items, involved in purchasing food for groups, and transporting food and equipment.
• Various commercial and residential style equipment.
• Exposure to cooking related hazards such as stoves, knives, food processors, and other sharp and hot equipment.
• Face paced environment

TO APPLY

Please submit your resume and cover letter to Natasha at: support@lushvalley.org

Please mention you saw this at rcen.ca or goodwork.ca.

LUSH Valley is grateful to receive all applications, but we can only contact shortlisted candidates.

LUSH Valley believes in diversity, employment equity and social justice. We encourage applications from all community members, but would be especially interested in receiving them from Indigenous peoples, visible minorities, persons with disability, LGBTQIA2S+ people and members of marginalized communities.