Volunteer with Cooking Matters

Cooking Matters Volunteer Role Descriptions

Cooking Educator Role Description (In-Person) 
You are a cooking enthusiast! No professional experience required, just a love of sharing home-cooking and food. During class, you will lead highly participatory cooking lessons featuring simple, healthy recipes. You will demonstrate and practice basic cooking techniques and terminology, proper knife handling, and food safety and sanitation measures. You will work with the 18 Reasons Program Coordinator and class participants to select recipes for class each week. The coordinator brings the curriculum, food, and cooking equipment — no need to bring anything other than yourself and the instructor manual 18 Reasons will provide you. 

Nutrition Educator Role Description (In-Person) 
You do not need to have a professional background as a nutritionist or dietitian to succeed in this role — you just need a love of healthy eating and an eagerness to help others. Some of our nutritionist volunteers do have a background in nutrition, food science, dietetics, or a related field, but it is not required. Class topics include using MyPlate as a tool for healthy eating, planning balanced meals, eating healthier fats, food budgeting, serving sizes, reading nutrition labels, and physical activity. The classes are intended to be interactive, and the nutrition educator facilitates open-minded conversation in class using activities, lesson plans, and visual aids provided by 18 Reasons. 

Class Assistant Role Description (In-Person) 
Class assistants primarily help the teaching team with student engagement, classroom set-up, food preparation, and cleaning up. Class assistants support the cooking and nutrition volunteer and interact with students to help support their learning. Common class assistant duties include packing groceries for participants to take home, loading/unloading kitchen equipment, and washing dishes. 

How to Become a Cooking Matters Volunteer

1. Fill out our volunteer interest form
Please complete the short volunteer interest form. An 18 Reasons staff member will follow up with you within a week. 

2. Sign up for an open volunteer position in a series 
We post new volunteer positions as they become available, and we fill them on a first come, first served basis. To sign up, review our class schedule below and email us to let us know what series and role you're interested in. If nothing fits your schedule right now, please fill out an interest form to receive updates on future classes. 

3. Complete the self-led volunteer trainings online and familarize yourself with the curriculum 
The volunteer manager will provide trainings once your application is completed. 

4. Submit proof of the COVID-19 Vaccination and valid Food Handler card 
It is required that all in-person volunteers submit proof of full COVID-19 vaccination and have a valid Food Handler card. Please submit here or email cookingmattersvolunteers@18reasons.org copies of these documents. The Food Handler Card through SafeServ costs $15 and takes about 1-2 hours to complete training, we are able to offer reimbursement if needed. All volunteers must be masked during class. 

5. Shadow a Cooking Matters class
When you visit an ongoing class series, the 18 Reasons Program Coordinator on site will walk you step-by-step through a typical Cooking Matters class. You’ll have the chance to observe other volunteers teaching and ask any questions you have about the program. 

Alameda County 

Cooking Matters for Families
1:00-3:00pm* Fridays, June 2 - July 17 (Skip July 7)
Lifelong East Oakland, 10700 MacArthur Blvd, Oakland, CA 94605
All positions filled

Time Commitment

Cooking Matters classes meet once a week for six weeks. and we ask that volunteers are able to commit to a full 6 week series. Classes are held anytime between 9:00am and 8:00pm, Tuesday-Friday.
 Each week, Cooking Matters classes require a time commitment of class time, plus 30 minutes of prep time before class, and up to 30 minutes of clean-up after class (so that's 3 hours per week).
 In addition, communication (via email) with the Cooking Matters Program Coordinator about class scheduling, curriculum, etc. is expected. 
Volunteers are encouraged to contribute to all aspects of the class, including set-up, clean-up, and food preparation. If you need support around transportation, please reach out. 

Volunteer Benefits

We love our volunteers! In addition to creating and empowering community through food, volunteers receive a complimentary 18 Reasons membership, one meal per class, training and coaching, and are invited to volunteer appreciation celebrations! Volunteers earn a complimentary ticket to their choice of 18th Street Kitchen class after volunteering for 3 Cooking Matters series in year!