Information about Food Forward’s Background Check Screening for Event Leaders

Food Forward is committed to providing a safe experience for all volunteers and partners. To that end, Event Leaders are also required to submit to an online background check, performed by Food Forward’s approved vendor, as a condition to being accepted as an Event Leader and prior to beginning their in-field training. Food Forward will pay for the background check, and the results will be kept strictly confidential.

Food Forward complies with all laws applicable to volunteers and the use of criminal history* information. Background check results will be reviewed to determine if there are results which might interfere with the volunteer’s ability to fulfill the responsibilities of the Event Leader position, as determined by Food Forward in its sole discretion. Under California state law, all individuals submitting a background check have access to a copy of the report and will be given the opportunity to appeal and/or provide an explanation of circumstances related to any results. Any explanatory information provided by the candidate will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis before a final decision is made. In accordance with our Core Values, Food Forward encourages all interested volunteers to apply regardless of past convictions or incarceration.

If you have questions or concerns about this process, you can call us to discuss in advance of submitting to the background check. Please note this process does not create an employment relationship with Food Forward. Please call 818-764-1022 x 100, but note that sharing information with our team in advance of the background check is not a requirement.

*Food Forward requests criminal and identity verification reports only. We will not request consumer reports (credit, educational verification of employment history) for volunteer positions.