Have a passion for food, nutrition, and wellness? Enjoy helping others? 

If yes, then learn more about Gaston County’s new Extension Master Food Volunteer Program (EMFVP)!

Benefits to You

• Gain cooking and knife skills
• Receive nutrition and food safety training
• Participate in day trips to area food processing plants and research facilities
• Make connections to our local food system
• Meet new people who share your interest in food and nutrition – locally and statewide
• Be a part of N.C. Cooperative Extension’s food, nutrition, and wellness workshops in Gaston County
• Make a difference throughout your community

EMFVP Volunteer Opportunities

• Conduct cooking demos at farmers markets, churches, and other community locations
• Assist with home canning workshops
• Provide educational outreach at health fairs and community festivals
• Volunteer with Annual Somethin’ Pumpkin Cooking Contest & Fall Festival
• Assist with Extension youth-based nutrition and cooking workshops
• Help develop a local foods learning center

Extension Master Food Program Volunteers – 2020

Program Requirements

• 30-hrs educational training
• 30-hrs “shadowing” an agent
• 20-hrs volunteer service annually
• 10-hrs continuing education annually

Training and continuing education provided through the Extension Master Food Volunteer Program. Learning activities conducted by Extension’s registered dietitian, Linda J. Minges.

Registration Process

1. Contact Extension agent, Linda J. Minges, for complete details to determine if this program is right for you: linda_minges@ncsu.edu or 704.922.2127.
2. Complete application form:  available online and by mail.
3. Complete informal interview with an Extension agent to determine if this is the right program for you.
4. Complete the EMFVP training (30-hrs). Program dates/times being scheduled for 2022 with input from participants. Workshop will be held at the Lucile Tatum Ctr., 959 Osceola St., Gastonia, NC.

Cost:  $40 (valued over $1,000)