Fresh Approach Volunteer Application

Thank you for your interest in volunteering with Fresh Approach! Our volunteer program allows us to engage people like you who are passionate about community health and improving the food system in a wide range of activities. 

The questions on this volunteer application will help us to identify volunteer opportunities for you that you will enjoy and find rewarding. Please note that all questions with a red asterisk (*) are required and must be answered before you can proceed to the next page.

Let's get started!






City of Residence




Please tell us about the minor children who wish to volunteer.











Emergency Contact Information







Morning Afternoon Evening











  

Criminal history or conviction of a crime is not an automatic disqualification for volunteer work. If you are applying for a volunteer position to work directly with potentially vulnerable populations such as children or the elderly, or for a volunteer position that may involve working with money, please complete this section. In some cases, state and local regulations may also require that you undergo a background check.


Fresh Approach Volunteer Policies
  1. Volunteers should dress appropriately for the task. Individuals volunteering at the Collective Roots Community Garden, at the Mobile Farmers' Market, or at the East Palo Alto Community Farmers’ Market should expect to be working outside in all weather conditions. Individuals volunteering at nutrition education and outreach programs should be dressed in a neat and presentable manner. To maintain compliance with our insurance policies, this includes proper footwear. Flip flops and other sandals are generally not appropriate during a volunteer activity. Please wear close-toed shoes for all volunteer activities.
  2. Volunteers should arrive on time for their scheduled volunteer opportunity. If an individual is unable to make the day that they have signed up for, they should contact a Fresh Approach employee or the Volunteer Coordinator as soon as possible. 
  3. Volunteers with any special needs should contact the Volunteer Coordinator.
  4. Volunteers should be respectful to all community members and be a good representative of Fresh Approach while on duty. Individuals must not be under the influence of alcohol or any illicit drugs while participating in volunteer opportunities. Individuals failing to follow these volunteer policies may be asked to no longer volunteer with Fresh Approach.


Fresh Approach Volunteer Code of Conduct


A large part of our work is about building relationships with the community members we serve. We care deeply about creating a warm and inclusive environment. We hold ourselves to a high standard of respect and ask all volunteers that work with us to do the same. As you participate in our programs we ask that you please treat customers, community members, volunteers, interns, and staff in a professional and courteous manner. Although the Mobile Farmers’ Market, Collective Roots community garden, East Palo Alto community farmers’ market, and nutrition education and cooking classes are not your typical work environment, please remember that they are in fact a work space. Please remember to maintain professional, courteous, and respectful interactions with everyone you come in contact with when volunteering at Fresh Approach. 


Volunteers should be respectful to all community members and be a good representative of Fresh Approach while on duty.


As a volunteer, I agree to follow the Volunteer Code of Conduct: 

  1. Treat all volunteers, interns, customers, community members, and staff with physical and emotional respect. 

  2. Make efforts to understand and honor the local culture. 

  3. Refrain from using profanity.

  4. Weapons are not allowed at a work-site. 

  5. Avoid wearing clothing that contains profanities or offensive imagery.

  6. Refrain from being under the influence of alcohol or any illicit drugs while participating in volunteer opportunities.

  7. Use compassionate and inclusive language regarding a person's income level, ethnicity, disability, race, nationality, gender, or sexual orientation.

  8. Respect the uniqueness and intrinsic worth of every individual.

  9. Follow all rules and policies set forth by a staff member.

Individuals failing to follow these volunteer policies may be asked to no longer volunteer at Fresh Approach.



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COVID-19 SAFETY POLICIES


We are asking for volunteers who are not displaying any symptoms of being sick and who do not live with anyone who is sick and/or experiencing health complications. 

We strongly advise those who have pre-existing conditions to refrain from participating in volunteer activities. 

Help Stay Safe:

  • Stay home when you are sick, except to get medical care.

  • Refrain from volunteer activities if you have been in close contact with an individual who has been diagnosed with COVID-19, traveled domestically, or internationally in the last 14 days.

  • Please communicate to staff if you are displaying any symptoms of illness and cannot make it to your scheduled shift at least 48 hours in advance when possible. 

  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 70% alcohol.

  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

  • Cough and sneeze into your elbow or with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.

  • Avoid close contact with others. We will provide social distancing markings, and we ask that everyone follow social distance markings.

  • All volunteers working at the farmers’ market are required to wear gloves, which will be provided to you.

  • We are unable to provide masks for volunteers at this time, however, you are required to bring your own face covering. Coverings include a scarf or bandana; neck gaiter; a homemade covering made from a t-shirt, sweatshirt, or towel, held on with rubber bands or otherwise; or a mask. Face coverings should be two layers of fabric, including any of the items mentioned above folded in half to make two layers, and secured over the nose and mouth.


Staying informed: Fresh Approach is in very close and constant communication with local health departments for up to date details in the various communities in which we operate. We are following all alerts being offered by state and county-level health officials, and are prepared to act accordingly. In this time of unprecedented change, our volunteer needs may also change without notice. We ask you to please be flexible with our staff as they adjust to developing situations.

While volunteering, I agree to keep 6 feet of distance between myself and others who I do not live with, and I agree to wear a mask at all times. I will not volunteer if I feel ill in any way.

I understand that volunteering is a privilege and failure to follow these volunteer guidelines may result in termination of my volunteer duties at Fresh Approach.


Fresh Approach Volunteer Waiver and Hold Harmless
I, the undersigned volunteer, on behalf of myself and my heirs, hereby agree to indemnify, save, and hold harmless Fresh Approach, their Board of Directors, and any of their agents, representatives, employees, and assigns, and other volunteers for my health, safety, and any injury and/or disability arising out of or resulting from the volunteer activity in which I am participating. 

Physical activities in which I may be asked to participate to complete my volunteer service include, but may not be limited to, walking on uneven and inclined outdoor surfaces, lifting up to 25 pounds, standing for up to two and one half hours without a break, and working in adverse weather conditions including warm summer conditions (high temperatures and humidity) or cool winter weather (wind and rain). I have prepared myself for the volunteer activity in which I am participating by adequately conditioning myself. I understand that it is my responsibility to avoid an assignment if I feel I would be at risk. Further, it is my responsibility to inform Fresh Approach if I feel I cannot complete my volunteer duty due to a health or safety issue, while engaging in my volunteer assignment. 

If volunteering in the Collective Roots Community Garden, I acknowledge that gardening is inherently dangerous and may involve, among other things, a good deal of physical exertion, exposure to and use of dangerous tools, and exposure to biting and stinging insects, including bees. 

I hereby represent that I have no physical restrictions that would prohibit my participation in the volunteer activity in which I am about to participate. I understand that Fresh Approach does not provide liability insurance or workers compensation insurance for me while I am participating as a volunteer. I acknowledge I have adequate medical and hospital insurance for any injuries that I may incur as a result of my participation as a volunteer.

I hereby acknowledge that this agreement does not represent a contract for employment with Fresh Approach and that no other agreement, either written or verbal, exists which creates an employment relationship between myself and Fresh Approach.    

Fresh Approach Volunteer Waiver and Hold Harmless
I, the undersigned volunteer, on behalf of myself and my heirs, hereby agree to indemnify, save, and hold harmless Fresh Approach, their Board of Directors, and any of their agents, representatives, employees, and assigns, and other volunteers for my health, safety, and any injury and/or disability arising out of or resulting from the volunteer activity in which I am participating. 

Physical activities in which I may be asked to participate to complete my volunteer service include, but may not be limited to, walking on uneven and inclined outdoor surfaces, lifting up to 25 pounds, standing for up to two and one half hours without a break, and working in adverse weather conditions including warm summer conditions (high temperatures and humidity) or cool winter weather (wind and rain). I have prepared myself for the volunteer activity in which I am participating by adequately conditioning myself. I understand that it is my responsibility to avoid an assignment if I feel I would be at risk. Further, it is my responsibility to inform Fresh Approach if I feel I cannot complete my volunteer duty due to a health or safety issue, while engaging in my volunteer assignment. 

If volunteering in the Collective Roots Community Garden, I acknowledge that gardening is inherently dangerous and may involve, among other things, a good deal of physical exertion, exposure to and use of dangerous tools, and exposure to biting and stinging insects, including bees. 

I hereby represent that I have no physical restrictions that would prohibit my participation in the volunteer activity in which I am about to participate. I understand that Fresh Approach does not provide liability insurance or workers compensation insurance for me while I am participating as a volunteer. I acknowledge I have adequate medical and hospital insurance for any injuries that I may incur as a result of my participation as a volunteer.

I hereby acknowledge that this agreement does not represent a contract for employment with Fresh Approach and that no other agreement, either written or verbal, exists which creates an employment relationship between myself and Fresh Approach.    

I am the parent/legal guardian of the minor volunteer, and by my signature, agree to be bound by and responsible for all the provisions of this Volunteer Agreement and Hold Harmless Agreement, on behalf of myself, the minor volunteer, and the heirs, administrators, executors, and assigns of myself and the minor volunteer. I consent to the minor volunteer’s participation in the above-described volunteer assignment or activities. 


Media Consent Form

I hereby consent to participate in the taking of photographs, videos, and/or recorded interviews and the use of quotes, of myself and my child(ren), for the purposes of Fresh Approach media and publicity projects. I grant Fresh Approach the right to edit, use, and reuse the above-mentioned products for use in print on the Fresh Approach website, newsletters, blog, Facebook page, Twitter, Instagram, and in all other forms of media. I hereby consent to Fresh Approach the use of my name, likeness of voice, in that such use will not result in any liability to these parties for payment to any person or organization, including myself.

I also hereby release Fresh Approach and its agents and employees from all claims, demands, and liabilities whatsoever in connection with the above. Fresh Approach, in turn, agrees that it will not transfer permission for usage of any of the above mentioned publicity, including images, to any other individual, institution, business, or organization.

Contact Information