FOOD BANK CERTIFICATION TRAINING

The Food Bank Certification Course was created by the Washington Food Coalition in 2014, to teach new and longtime food bank directors, staff and volunteers the key components of running and managing a successful program.

Register for upcoming Food Bank Certification Training dates using the form below.

Download flyer.

Topics Covered

Food Banking 101

Whether you are new to food banking or you’ve been at it for a while, this session will provide you with the knowledge and resources to operate your food bank successfully.  We will present best practices regarding food bank operations, cover how to arrange your physical space, food distribution models, staff & volunteer roles, helpful policies & forms to have in place, and understanding & meeting the needs of your community. Participants will receive a copy of WFC’s Food Banking manual.

Non-Profit Basics

What is a non-profit?  What do you need to know in order to run a well-run program that follows all the rules?  We will cover the basics of nonprofit leadership-governance, finance, volunteers, and planning.  You will gain tools to help you bring a stronger understanding of nonprofits and how these tools can work into the life of your organization.

Food Safety

This session will provide the basics of the practice of food safety in food banks and meal programs.  Information will be presented on the importance of knowing key components of the WA food code, properly storing food, understanding correct temperatures, handling potentially hazardous foods, what Sell By and Use By dates mean, the importance of handwashing, what to do when a volunteer is ill, and so much more. Participants will receive a copy of WFC’s Food Safety manual.

Volunteer Management

Learn how to effectively recruit, train, manage, retain and recognize great volunteers. Gain skills and ideas on how to prepare volunteers with comprehensive volunteer orientations and well-written position descriptions. Learn what policies and guidelines volunteers should be aware of and how to follow them.  Acquire knowledge on how to retain and evaluate volunteers. Take home great samples of resources.

Forms Training

Drowning in paperwork? Learn about all the different reports required for food banks and how to fill them out properly.  Learn the terminology, when reports are due, as well as how and to whom you should submit reports.