2025 Boston Local Food Festival

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Are you passionate about supporting local food systems and promoting sustainability? Do you thrive in vibrant, community-driven environments? If so, we invite you to get involved in the 15th Annual Boston Local Food Festival! We will need you to fill out our Google Form volunteer application, linked in the greeting email.

As the engine that keeps our festival running, volunteers like you play a critical role in bringing this celebration of local food to life. You'll not only have the opportunity to network with like-minded individuals, vendors, sponsors, and attendees, but you'll also be contributing to the strength of the New England food system.

Here's what you can expect as a valued volunteer:

A festival t-shirt and a $15 voucher as a token of our appreciation.

Date: September 14th, 2024

Volunteer Shifts:

• 7:00 AM - 11:00 AM
• 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
• 3:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Festival Time: 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Event Details: The Boston Local Food Festival is a FREE outdoor celebration of local food presented by the Sustainable Business Network of Massachusetts (SBN). This festival features farmers, local restaurants, food trucks, specialty food producers, fishermen, and organizations championing healthy food from New England. From lively Chef Demos and a Seafood Throwdown competition to a Family Fun Zone and more, there's something for everyone to enjoy!

Volunteer Opportunities: Choose from a variety of roles tailored to your interests and skills:

• Set-Up Stewards (morning only): Help bring the festival to life by setting up tables, chairs, signs, and event activities. You’ll check in with your Zone Leader at the start of your shift and jump in wherever help is needed.
• Parking Control (morning): Ensure that reserved parking spots are correctly filled and alert staff if any unauthorized vehicles are present. Your attention to detail will help keep vendor and staff arrivals running smoothly.
• Info Booths, Surveys & Public Engagement Guild: Stationed at info booths, you’ll engage attendees, gather survey feedback (with a free gift!), and help guide the flow of the festival. You’ll also assist with key activities and support vendors as needed throughout the day.

  • *There are limited opportunities to volunteer in our special zones, so you must indicate your interest on the volunteer application to be considered. Roles include supporting the Family Fun Zone-which features face painting, movement activities, open-ended play, and animal interactions-or the New England Village, which showcases the region’s diverse food growers and makers and promotes the "50 by 60" Food Vision (Can New England produce 50% of its own food by 2060?). Please note that space in these zones is very limited, as only a few volunteers are needed at each location. You must attend ONE of the mandatory training sessions on either 08/20 or 08/21 to volunteer in this role.

• Chef Demo Support Team: Made up of dependable, hands-on volunteers who help keep our two demo kitchens running smoothly throughout the day. From setting up and breaking down the Seafood Throwdown stage to supporting chefs and keeping the Clarke Kitchen clean between demos, this team plays a key behind-the-scenes role in making sure the festival’s culinary highlights go off without a hitch.
• Zero-Waste Heroes: Be a champion for sustainability by helping attendees sort waste correctly into compost, recycling, or trash. You'll receive training and play a vital role in keeping the festival green and waste-free.
• Tear-Down & Clean-Up Team (evening only): After enjoying your $15 food voucher, you’ll help wrap up the festival by breaking down tables and chairs, picking up trash, collecting signage, and assisting vendors. Report to your Zone Leader and be ready to jump in wherever needed.

Ready to make a difference? Sign up now as a volunteer at the Boston Local Food Festival! Together, let's create a memorable and sustainable event celebrating New England's culinary scene.

Kerry Kokkinogenis, Local Food Program Manager, SBN, kerry@sbnmass.org, 617-276-6299

Gabbie Brocker, Local Food Program Coordinator, SBN, gabrielle@sbnmass.org, 541-668-3701

For any inquiries or assistance with volunteering, please reach out to Gabbie.

Thank you for your commitment, enthusiasm, and dedication to strengthening our local food community.

Sincerely,

The Boston Local Food Program