Make a difference in your community. 

Thank you for your interest in volunteering with Sprouts. As a food co-operative solely run by student volunteers, Sprouts is a friendly and inclusive community that supports reducing food insecurity on campus. We invite everyone to bring their diverse skills to help our initiatives sprout (ha)!

We operate out of Sprouts Cafe in the basement of the LIFE Building. Depending on the position, volunteers gain exposure to a variety of experiences including safe food handling, cooking, baking, serving, customer service and much more! As well as promoting healthy and sustainable food practices within the UBC community, you can be sure that the warmth of the Sprouts community and the awesome people you'll meet will make the UBC experience even better. Let’s fight food insecurity on campus together!

Volunteer intakes happen at the start of every term. For updates, follow our instagram @ubcsprouts and Join the Sprouts Community Discord

No experience is required and everyone is welcome! However, you must be:

1) A current UBC student with a valid student number

2) Able to commit to a position and its responsibilities for the entirety of a term.

3) Fully vaccinated and willing to provide proof.

Time Commitment

A pre-determined weekly shift (2-3 hours) for the duration of one semester.

By committing to a position at Sprouts, we ask that you respect the organization, your assigned shift, and fellow shift members and supervisor, by notifying your supervisor in advance should you not be able to make your shift. We understand that emergencies and unexpected circumstances do happen. With volunteer coordinators' approval, shift coverages may be allowed but it is ultimately the volunteer's responsibility to find a replacement. Remember, we can't exist without your help, so we will miss you if you don't show up!

Why volunteer?

  • Be a part of North America's largest student and volunteer-run food co-op.

  • Meet new people and join our community!

  • Help to combat food insecurity on campus

  • Gain valuable experience and learn new skills: teamwork, cooking in mass quantities, navigating an industrial kitchen, making fast-paced decisions, serving, barista, riding a cargo bike and much more!

  • Enjoy a 15% discount on in-store purchases.

  • Join our weekly community meetings and amazing volunteer appreciation socials!

Senior Volunteers

Have you ever wanted to get more involved in Sprouts but don't want the commitment of being a Board Member? Want to help keep Sprouts running smoothly? Want to get the inside scoop of the inner workings of Sprouts? This could be the job for you!

Sprouts' Senior Volunteers lead cafe shifts and make Sprouts happen. If you've volunteered before you're qualified!

The Senior Volunteer position entails the following:

  • Running a shift with a co-shift lead

  • Ensuring that operations are running smoothly

  • Maintaining contact throughout the semester with your volunteer team

Requirements:

  • Previously volunteered as a general volunteer at Sprouts

  • You must be familiar with the Cafe space and job requirements

  • You must obtain BC FOODSAFE Level 1 before you begin your position

  • Commit to one 2-3 hour shift for the duration of the semester

Skills:

  • Punctuality and time management, you must arrive on time and be able to keep the cafe running on schedule.

  • Leadership and team-building skills

  • Work ethic and dedication

  • Communication