Food & Farming Career Fair for Veterans, June 30th at Santa Monica Civic Auditorium

LOS ANGELES, June 17 /PRNewswire/ -- The Problem:  Currently more than 250,000 U.S. veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are without work. The rate of unemployment for veterans ages 18 to 24 is reported to be as high as 30%.

The Farmer-Veteran Coalition (FVC) is a non-profit started by American farmers to help these young men and women find work in agriculture while simultaneously addressing our nation's critical need for new farmers and a safe food supply.

The Farmer-Veteran Coalition's regional solution: In conjunction with the Santa Monica Farmers' Market and regional veteran service organizations, FVC is organizing its first Southern California Food and Farming Veteran Career Fair.

The fair will connect veterans with jobs, training, and educational opportunities as well as assistance in starting their own food or farming business. Veterans will be introduced to opportunities in regional farms, produce distribution companies, urban farming and school garden projects, landscaping and culinary arts.

Employers will be introduced to hard-working, experienced, disciplined and reliable veterans at the onset of their careers.

The event is free for veterans and employers. On-site counseling will be available. Many of the area's top chefs will be serving food provided by local farmers. Talks and presentations will take place throughout the day by leaders in these fields.

When: Wednesday, June 30th, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Where: Santa Monica Civic Auditorium, 1855 Main Street, Santa Monica, CA 90401

Veterans are encouraged to attend and bring their resumes.  Veterans and interested employers should call (530) 756-1395, email [email protected], or visit www.farmvetco.org for more information.

The mission of FVC is to mobilize the food and farming community to create healthy and viable futures for America's veterans by enlisting their help in building the green economy, rebuilding rural communities, and securing a safe and healthy food supply.  Their goal is to create a new generation of innovative, ecological, and financially successful young farmers.

A project of Los Angeles based Community Partners, FVC is a member of the Coalition for Iraq + Afghanistan Veterans.  FVC finds employment, training, and places to heal on America's farms for returning veterans.

Organizing partners for the event include: The City of Santa Monica, New Directions, Slow Food Los Angeles, The Salvation Army Haven, California AgrAbility Project, and the USDA Farm Service Agency.

SOURCE The Farmer-Veteran Coalition