Calling all student leaders and campus organizers! 

This summer, the Real Food Challenge invites all young activists concerned with agriculture, nutrition, social justice, climate change, sustainability, and the health of our communities and economy - to join us at a Real Food Student Leadership Training. Former participants will tell you that this is an incredible opportunity to get recharged with amazing new skills, friends, and resources--everything you need to make real change in your community.

This summer, close to 100 students from all parts of the country will attend one of three RFC Leadership Trainings.  Equipped with new skills and connections, we will be at the forefront of a vibrant and diverse national youth movement, getting real about organizing for real food.

Real Food trainings are intentionally designed to be both fun and serious.  Be prepared for dance parties and team building games as well as discussions about power, privilege and oppression and the role of students as social movement leaders. Trainings will also be highly participatory--workshops will be interactive (not too academic) and participants will be asked to take on a variety of leadership roles from the start--from helping cook meals to facilitating activities and workshops.

There's a lot you'll get out of the RFC trainings:

NEW CONNECTIONS: Connect to a new, national student-driven organization, skilled student organizers, and movement veterans while developing your potential to be a leader.  

CAMPAIGN STRATEGY AND PLANNING:  Create a plan to get your school's administration to 'Take the Challenge' and redirect dining dollars towards a real food economy.  RFC organizers will also support you throughout the year as you implement your plan.

GRASSROOTS ORGANIZING:  Build essential organizing skills, including group facilitation, recruitment, and communication with decision-makers, fundraising, and direct action.

NEW FRIENDS AND COMPAÑEROS: Develop lasting relationships with other amazing youth in your region who are doing similar work. 

The Real Food Trainings will be geared towards students who are working (or intend to work) on shifting school purchasing practices to fair, ecologically-sound, humane, & community-based foods.  This aligns with the Challenge's principal campaign--redirecting $1 billion of college and university food-dollars to a real food economy--although students working on other projects are also encouraged to apply!
 
Space is limited.  We are encouraging pairs of students to come from each university. Students are able to attend any of the 3 trainings:

Real Food Midwest: Ames, IA, July 11-14 (registration deadline: June 12)
Contact: Sue - susandeb@... 

Real Food West Coast: Santa Cruz, CA, August 13-17 (registration deadline July 1)
Contact: Fortino - FortinoMorales@...

Real Food Northeast: Boston, MA, August 20-23 (registration deadline: July 15)
Contact: Marissa - mgrossman@...

The cost of attending each training, including housing and all meals, ranges from $10-30.  That's it!  Organizers are also on hand to help attendees fundraise to cover travel and other costs.

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If the training isn't enough for you, become a Real Food Field Organizer!

We are currently accepting applications for the Regional Field Organizer position.

The Regional Field Organizers play a critical role in the Real Food Challenge campaign by providing direct support to student organizing effort, extending the network to additional campuses, and planning regional events. The organizers will help to shape the Challenge in its second full year of operation. We are looking for organizers in the Northeast, Southeast, Midwest, Northwest, and California.

More info can be found here: http://realfoodchallenge.org/get-involved/jointeam.

Keep it real,
The Real Food Challenge Team

p.s. We lost the ideablob contest back in March...thank you to everyone who voted for us. Despite the loss, we are still hosting the trainings that the contest was going to support. Instead, we are relying on the hard work and motivation of students who continue to push this campaign forward!

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