JOB OPPORTUNITIES
Farm Fresh Rhode Island’s work environment is fast paced and collaborative. We value creative thinking, approach our work with energetic spirit, and strive to have fun together while we’re at it!
Full-Time Positions
This is a part-time variable hour (24-40 hours weekly) position depending on interest and capacity.
Market Mobile Drivers help fulfill Farm Fresh RI’s nonprofit mission of growing the local food system by ensuring all products sold by local farmers and producers are safely and accurately delivered to restaurants, institutions, and home delivery customers across Rhode Island. In doing so, we are strengthening local farm viability by building a reliable sales outlet for Rhode Island grown and produced goods.
A high degree of accountability is required in order to provide excellent outcomes to our farmers, food producers, customers, and community partners. Our Drivers facilitate the flow of products from our local food warehouse to customers statewide. This position reports to and works closely with the Operations Manager to continuously improve operations. This position works closely with other Packhouse Associates, Driver Assistants, Drivers, and other Market Mobile staff in a team environment to achieve program goals.
Market Mobile Drivers support Market Mobile operations through the successful implementation of established Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and compliance with regulatory guidelines. Daily tasks include customer deliveries in collaboration with Drivers Assistants, loading/unloading trucks, and completion of prescribed paperwork. Drivers may also provide support as needed with packhouse cleaning/sanitation, receiving, and packline.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
Communicate effectively with delivery partners, customers, and Farm Fresh RI staff.
The driver is responsible for communicating with on-the-ground staff at delivery and pickup locations. The driver is expected to provide excellent customer service to these core customers and to be mindful of our impact on their operations. Effective, timely, and frequent communication with the Farm Fresh team and all stakeholders is key to the successful functioning of operations. Attendance at driver and full- team meetings as requested by the Operations Manager is required.
Assist in coordination, organization, and execution of distribution activities.
The Driver assists with organization and coordination under the direction of the operations management team as needed including bin labeling, pallet stacking, and product staging.
Carry out the delivery of products.
Load product into trucks and communicate effectively with customers as deliveries are made. Follow delivery protocol at each drop-off to provide an excellent experience and customer service. Communicate any challenges, concerns, or feedback to supervisor(s) promptly.
Ensure safe and proper product handling and packing.
Adhere to all policies and procedures laid out in the Farm Fresh food safety plan inside the Farm Fresh facility, while on the road, and during deliveries. Items are kept at the proper food safe temperature in the truck throughout the day in accordance with Food Safety SOPs.
Vehicle and supply maintenance.
Monitor and communicate problems with Farm Fresh vehicles, equipment, and supplies. Communicate when running low on truck supplies.
Driving performance.
Drive lawfully and carefully at all times, heeding legal load capacity of the vehicle; adjust speed and routes as needed while still delivering within time-contingencies. Driving instruction and training will be provided, which the Driver is expected to comply with.
Equipment operation.
Operate all equipment in a safe manner. Training will be provided for safe equipment operation.
Safety.
First aid training is provided, but our ultimate goal is preventing injury in the workplace. The Driver is expected to help establish a culture of safety and prevention.
Sanitation & cleaning.
Trucks are kept clean and well organized at all times. Truck cabins and beds are deep cleaned and restocked on Fridays following deliveries.
Teamwork.
The Driver is expected to take part in the cultivation of any full-team efforts with other Farm Fresh staff as requested. All Farm Fresh staff are responsible for ensuring that operations work is conducted safely and efficiently with other operations team members. Any and all conflicts with staff should be reported to the Operations Manager immediately.
Act as an ambassador of Farm Fresh Rhode Island.
Team members are required to interact with many different stakeholders as part of their daily activities. All team members are expected to act as ambassadors of Farm Fresh and treat all parties with dignity and respect to maintain a community of openness and inclusivity.
Other Duties as assigned.
Farm Fresh is a small nonprofit; at all times, a “pitch-in” spirit is expected. Assistance on special projects may be required in addition to normal duties.
Preferred Qualifications and Experience
- Food handling experience is strongly preferred.
- Experience driving heavily loaded box trucks in urban and rural environments is strongly preferred.
- CDL- Class A license preferred but not required.
- Experience operating manual and electric pallet jacks is a plus (training is provided).
- Customer service or similar experience is preferred.
- Detail-oriented with excellent record keeping and planning skills.
- Good humor, an ability to think on your feet, and an easy but focused work style.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Neeed to Perform thsi Role
- Must be reliable, committed, and efficient at completing job requirements.
- Must be effective in communicating with other program staff and external organization stakeholders.
- Must be a responsible driver with minimum of 2 years of driving experience, valid US drivers license, and capable of passing DOT physical.
- Must have the ability and desire to relate to and work with various socio-economic and cultural groups and create a positive and safe work environment by making other coworkers and volunteers feel welcome in our space.
- Must have high attention to detail (produce quality and record-keeping).
- Basic vehicle maintenance knowledge (change tire, top-off fluids).
- Basic technology skills – computer and smartphone competency.
- Must be able to think, react, iterate, and redirect in a fast-paced environment.
- Demonstrated commitment to the success of coworkers and Farm Fresh RI’s mission and values.
Physical Demands (Physical, Mental, Environmental)
The following capabilities are required in order to perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations that do not create an undue burden on the company are available to address the following requirements.
- While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit/stand for long periods of time at a desk; use hands to handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls on computers; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear in meetings and on the telephone or on the computer in an office or variable setting.
- Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, and the ability to adjust focus.
- Must be able to repeatedly lift 60+ pounds in various conditions. This position is physically demanding and requires an aptitude for manual labor.
Compensation
- This is a part-time variable hour (24-40 hours weekly) position depending on interest and capacity.
- Rate of pay starts at $20 per hour for driver hours. Drivers have the option of picking up additional hours in our packhouse at a rate of $16 per hour if interested.
- Sick and Safe leave benefits starting first day of employment.
- Shifts will be Monday through Friday
How to Apply
- Please fill out our online application here.
- No phone calls or drop-ins please.
Full-Year AmeriCorps Opportunities
Farm Fresh Rhode Island is seeking a Community Education AmeriCorps Fellow, who will report to the Farm to Community Program Director. This position requires a commitment of 900 hours of service. Completion of these hours can be flexible, based on applicant availability — from 22 to 32 hours per week for 30+ weeks. This service term will begin January 25, 2023, and extend through August 4, 2023 (or later, depending on hours per week).
Purpose of Role
A robust local food system relies on local communities understanding how to access and prepare locally grown, harvested, and produced goods. The Community Education Fellow will be integral to developing and delivering programming that helps the RI community be informed consumers and advocates.
Description of Duties
The Community Education AmeriCorps Fellow works with our Community Education and Farm to School team to implement local food access and food system and nutrition program activities throughout RI. The AmeriCorps fellow will work with the Community Education team to design and implement local food and nutrition education activities alongside staff and volunteers. They will ensure our education department works with community partners to extend greater access to nutritious, locally grown food across populations, from pre-k to seniors. This includes supporting cooking classes, taste tests, farmers market programming, garden programs, in-school and after-school education program series, among other exciting opportunities to bring local food and agriculture knowledge and access to the community.
Essenital Functions
- Complete weekly and monthly data reports on program activities for AmeriCorps and grant reporting.
- Complete program data tracking forms at up to 30 scheduled programs.
- Enter program outcomes data into databases weekly.
- Execute up to 50 scheduled education program activities on site at schools, libraries, senior centers, and/or farmers markets.
- Develop, pack, and prepare materials for scheduled off-site education programs.
- Serve as a mentor to education program participants.
- Assist with program scheduling and logistics.
- Comply with department and organizational Standard Operating Procedures in safe food handling, supply purchasing, and mileage reimbursement.
Skills
- Must have high school diploma/GED, college degree, or be working toward one (preferred but not required)
- Must be willing to undergo a National Criminal History Background Check
- Must be at least 18 years of age
- Must be a US Citizen, U.S. National, or Permanent Resident and be able to provide documentation of citizenship
- Must uphold AmeriCorps state and national branding and uniform standards
- Basic cooking knowledge
- Excellent time-management skills
- Must be able to work Monday through Friday
- Must be able to build relationships with people from varied cultural, economic, educational, racial, and religious backgrounds
- Ability to collaborate and work as part of a team
- Must be able to bend and lift loads up to 50 pounds
- Must be a self-starter and have the ability to maintain a self-motivating attitude
- Must be able to collaborate and work as part of a team
- Must be able to think, react, iterate, and respond in a fast-paced environment
- Ability to prioritize and handle a variety of assignments simultaneously in a vibrant work environment
Non-Essential Functions & Preferred Skills
- Maintain positive relationships with external partners and organization staff.
- Follow Farm Fresh RI COVID-19 practices to support program participants and staff safety.
- Assist with ongoing grants and projects related to the aforementioned off-site education programs.
- Assist with scheduling and logistics of off-site and on-site programs.
- Experience with informal or formal education preferred.
- Knowledge of local food systems, nutrition, and food justice.
- Excellent professional communication skills (written and verbal) preferred.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Google Suite preferred.
- Spanish skills or other language skills are a plus.
Term of Service & Hour Requirements
This position requires a commitment of 900 hours of service. Completion of these hours can be flexible, based on applicant availability — from 22 to 32 hours per week for 30+ weeks. This service term will begin November 7, 2022, and extend through June 4, 2023 (or later, depending on hours per week).
Primary working hours will be Monday-Friday day shifts.
Members will be given the opportunity to fulfill all service hour requirements while also allowing for holidays and 50 hours of Paid Time Off (PTO). Missed hours can be made up on-site or off-site depending on supervisor approval. All Members must participate in AmeriCorps national, state, and local service projects as a part of their service term.
Orientation, Training & Evaluation
Members will receive one-on-one training on AmeriCorps program impacts, history, and prohibited activities as well as orientation to the local food system and food justice topics addressed by Farm Fresh RI programs. Training will not exceed more than 20% of the members total service hours completed.
All members will have opportunities for weekly one-on-one check-ins with supervisors as well as mid-service and end-of-service performance evaluations. Members will be responsible for submitting weekly timesheets and monthly program narrative reports.
AmeriCorps Member Benefits
- $13,000.00 living stipend, divided and paid weekly
- $3,247.50 Segal Education Award (upon completion of 900 hours of service)
- Student loan forbearance
- Mileage reimbursement
- Professional development opportunities
To Apply
This position requires a commitment of 900 hours of service. Completion of these hours can be flexible, based on applicant availability — from 22 to 32 hours per week for 30+ weeks. This service term will begin January 25, 2023, and extend through August 4, 2023 (or later, depending on hours per week). Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
- Please complete our online application here.
- No calls or walk-ins please.
Organizational Info
Strongly mission-driven, Farm Fresh achieved 501c3 status in 2007, and has since implemented a wide variety of programs to enhance the local food system of Rhode Island and the New England region, with particular attention to farm viability and low-income access to fresh food.
Mission: Farm Fresh Rhode Island is growing a local food system that values the environment, health, and quality of life of farmers and eaters.
Vision: A New England region abundant with diverse family farms and fertile soils, with locally and honestly produced foods and flavors at the heart of every dinner table.
Farm Fresh Rhode Island seeks an articulate and organized Volunteer & Community Engagement AmeriCorps VISTA with demonstrated initiative and strong logistical and communications skills to assist programs organization-wide in outreach efforts and engaging, qualifying, and retaining reliable volunteers. As an integral part of the Farm Fresh RI team, this position will be responsible for understanding and communicating our needs to potential volunteers, creating strategies to attract and recruit new volunteers, implementing and improving on existing procedures for managing volunteer interest and scheduling shifts, facilitating trainings, developing tactics for thanking and retaining volunteers, tabling at community events, and generally being ready to problem-solve as the needs of volunteers and our programs evolve and shift with the seasons.
This position offers a unique opportunity to increase community engagement through volunteer recruitment, training, management, appreciation and retention to help Farm Fresh RI achieve its mission to strengthen farm vitality, reduce poverty, and increase food security in Rhode Island. Members must commit to a full year of service from January 17, 2023 to January 16, 2024. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Deadline to apply is December 1, 2022. Note: We are accepting candidates on a rolling basis and are flexible in negotiating start dates. One year of service is required, but for example service term could run 12/5/2022 to 12/4/2023.
Primary Responsibilities
- Assist programs organization-wide in engaging, qualifying, and retaining reliable volunteers.
- Develop strategies to reach and recruit new people to join in volunteering.
- Be responsible for understanding and communicating Farm Fresh needs to potential and existing volunteers in ongoing direct communications and monthly e-newsletter.
- Work with Communications Director to incorporate volunteer-related messaging on social media and in other communications vehicles.
- Implement procedures for managing volunteer interest and work with program managers to connect volunteers with matching opportunities program-wide.
- Participate in some volunteer shifts for hands-on experience, and help with community outreach—which may consist of tabling at events and providing outreach materials for volunteer recruitment as well as to promote Farm Fresh programs and services.
- Improve overall volunteer management processes to create a sustainable, ongoing pipeline of volunteers for all of the organization’s programs.
- Act as primary point of contact for volunteers: answering questions, scheduling shifts with program managers, and facilitating onboarding and hours reporting.
- Perform initial screenings and orientation, enhance and facilitate educational and training materials.
- Develop new tactics for thanking and retaining volunteers long-term.
- Work with shifting needs to keep the volunteer program robust as our work changes with the seasons.
Essential Skills
- Excellent professional communication skills (written and verbal)
- Focused attention to detail and administrative acuity
- Desire work in a self-directed environment, and able to maintain self-motivation
- Ability to collaborate and work as part of a team, even if working remotely
- Excellent time-management and reporting skills
- Ability to think, react, iterate, and redirect in a fast-paced environment
- Proficient with Google Docs
- Ability to prioritize and handle a variety of assignments simultaneously in a vibrant work environment
- Willingness to work hands-on in various environments (outdoors at events, inside at office, remotely from home)
- Spanish fluency and other language skills a plus
- Able to bend and lift loads up to 30 pounds
- Must have a valid driver’s license and access to reliable transportation. (Mileage reimbursement will be provided for personal vehicle use.)
About Farm Fresh RI
Begun in 2004 as a student thesis project at Brown University, Farm Fresh RI has grown briskly to capture the public interest in locally grown food and translate it into sales for RI farmers and producers. Strongly mission-driven, Farm Fresh achieved 501c3 status in 2007, and has since implemented a variety of programs to enhance the local food system of the New England region, with particular attention to farm viability and low-income access to fresh food. Farm Fresh RI operates a wide range of marketplace programs (retail, wholesale, processing) that engage and connect tens of thousands of local eaters with thousands of New England farmers and producers.
Mission: Farm Fresh Rhode Island is growing a local food system that values the environment, health, and quality of life of the farmers and eaters of New England.
Vision: A New England abundant with diverse family farms and fertile soils, with locally and honestly produced food at the heart of every table.
About AmeriCorps VISTA
AmeriCorps is a network of national service programs, made up of three primary programs that each take a different approach to improving lives and fostering civic engagement. AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) members bring passion and perseverance where the need is greatest: to organizations that help eradicate poverty. AmeriCorps VISTA members serve as a catalyst for change, living and working alongside community members to meet our nation’s most pressing challenges and advance local solutions.
AmeriCorps VISTA Member Benefits
- Bi-weekly living allowance of $675.08
- $6495 Segal Education Award upon completion of service to help pay for college, graduate school, or vocational training, or to repay student loans
- $600 monthly rent credit
- Monthly bus pass
- Student loan deferment
- Mileage reimbursement
- Professional development opportunities
- CNCS health benefit & childcare assistance
To Apply
Members must commit to a full year of service from January 17, 2023 to January 16, 2024. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Deadline to apply is December 1, 2022. Note: We are accepting candidates on a rolling basis and are flexible in negotiating start dates. One year of service is required, but for example service term could run 12/5/2022 to 12/4/2023.
- To apply: Please go to http://www.americorps.gov/about/programs/vista.asp and review the AmeriCorps VISTA information on this site.
- Then go to https://my.americorps.gov/mp/login.do and click “Search Listings.” For the search, select the “Rhode Island” and “AmeriCorps VISTA” options.
- Scroll until you find this position, click on it, and “Apply Now.”
- Submit your application including two references. *Applications must be submitted through this AmeriCorps VISTA site. Farm Fresh Rhode Island cannot accept applications directly.
- No calls or drop-ins please.
Applications must be submitted through this AmeriCorps VISTA site, Farm Fresh Rhode Island cannot accept applications directly.
The Harvest Kitchen project is Farm Fresh RI’s 20-week culinary and job-readiness training program for youth ages 16-19 who are currently in the care of RI Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) programs. During the first 15 weeks, youth learn basic culinary arts skills and earn a food handlers industry certification. As part of their culinary training, youth create a line of high-quality preserved foods using ingredients sourced from local farms. Products made by the youth at Harvest Kitchen are sold at local stores, farmers markets, and wholesale markets. During the final five weeks of the program, youth participate in supported off-site internships to further develop employable job skills as they prepare to exit state care.
Purpose of Role
The Harvest Kitchen Youth Education AmeriCorps Fellow will support Harvest Kitchen program staff in youth job training, attendance tracking, mentoring, in-class teaching, and the organization of off-site field trips and guest speakers for the Harvest Kitchen program. They will receive training on all aspects of the position and will receive additional mentoring and support from the Harvest Kitchen Program Director and Education Manager. The ideal candidate is a self-starter with basic cooking and/or kitchen experience, experience working with youth, and a passion for the local food system.
Harvest Kitchen youth trainees require positive support and honest mentorship. With that in mind, this position must be able to work closely with the students and support them throughout their time in the program. The desire to work with opportunity youth in an intimate, hands-on setting is paramount to success in this role. Being empathetic and having an open mind are necessary qualities to have.
Description of Duties
- Working closely with up to 16 marginalized youth in each session to teach, mentor, and build relationships resulting in confidence and skills to succeed both inside and outside of Harvest Kitchen
- Processing up to 50,000 pounds yearly of B-grade produce into value-added products
- Working closely with internship sites to ensure both the site and the trainee are having as enriching an experience as possible, with the goal of having a site for each trainee
- Documenting youth attendance and progress reports
- Organizing up to 10 off-site trips for trainees
- Being a positive figure of consistency in the kitchen with the students
- Assisting with the training of students in our retail cafe
- Serving as a mentor to education program participants
- Complying with department and organizational Standard Operating Procedures in safe food handling, supply purchasing, and mileage reimbursement
- Completing weekly and monthly data reports on program activities for AmeriCorps and Harvest Kitchen grant reporting
Essential Functions
- Must have high school diploma/GED, college degree — or be working toward one (preferred but not required)
- Must be willing to undergo a National Criminal History Background Check
- Must be at least 18 years of age
- Must be a U.S. Citizen, U.S. National, or Permanent Resident and be able to provide documentation of citizenship
- Must uphold AmeriCorps state and national branding and uniform standards
- Excellent time-management skills
- Must be able to build relationships with people from varied cultural, economic, educational, racial, and religious backgrounds
- Must be able to collaborate with others and work as part of a team
- Must be able to bend and lift loads up to 50 pounds
- Must be a self-starter and have the ability to maintain a self-motivating attitude
- Must be able to think, react, iterate, and respond in a fast-paced environment
Non-Essential Functions & Preferred Skills
- Maintain positive relationships with external partners and organization staff.
- Assist with ongoing grants and projects related to the aforementioned off-site education programs.
- Basic understanding of local food systems, education, and food justice.
- Excellent professional communication skills (written and verbal) preferred.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Google Suite preferred.
- Spanish skills or other language skills are a plus.
Term of Service & Hour Requirements
AmeriCorps Direct Service Members must commit to a full 37-weeks, approx. 26 hours/week, AmeriCorps service term starting January 2023 through September 2023 — totaling 900 hours of service.
Primary working hours will be Monday-Friday. We are flexible in shifts being either 9am-2pm or 2-7pm.
Members will be given the opportunity to fulfill all service hour requirements while also allowing for holidays and 50 hours of Paid Time Off (PTO). Missed hours can be made up on site or off site depending on supervisor approval. All Members must participate in AmeriCorps national, state, and local service projects as a part of their service term.
Orientation, Training & Evaluation
Members will receive one-on-one training on AmeriCorps program impacts, history, and prohibited activities as well as orientation to the local food system and food justice topics addressed by Farm Fresh RI programs. Training will not exceed more than 20% of the members total service hours completed.
All members will have opportunities for weekly one-on-one check-ins with supervisors as well as mid-service and end-of-service performance evaluations. Members will be responsible for submitting weekly timesheets and monthly program narrative reports.
AmeriCorps Member Benefits
- $13,000 living stipend, divided and paid weekly
- $3,247.50 Segal Education Award (upon completion of 900 hours of service)
- Student loan forbearance
- Mileage reimbursement
- Professional development opportunities
To Apply
Members must commit to a 900 hour term of service, starting in January 2023 through September 2023. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
- Please complete our online application here.
- No calls or walk-ins please.
About AmeriCorps
AmeriCorps is a network of national service programs, made up of three primary programs that each take a different approach to improving lives and fostering civic engagement. Members commit their time to address critical community needs like increasing academic achievement, mentoring youth, and fighting poverty. Members commit to a fixed term of service and receive a weekly living allowance and end-of-service education award.
Organizational Info
Strongly mission-driven, Farm Fresh achieved 501c3 status in 2007, and has since implemented a variety of programs to enhance the local food system of Rhode Island and the New England region, with particular attention to farm viability and low-income access to fresh food.
Mission: Farm Fresh Rhode Island is growing a local food system that values the environment, health, and quality of life of farmers and eaters.
Vision: A New England region abundant with diverse family farms and fertile soils, with locally and honestly produced foods and flavors at the heart of every dinner table.
Farm Fresh Rhode Island seeks an outgoing and energetic Education Innovations AmeriCorps VISTA member with demonstrated initiative and clear organizational and communication skills to increase Farm Fresh Rhode Island’s Community Education program capacity. We are seeking a member to assist with crafting food systems internships and strategic opportunities in Farm to School (F2S) and our Community Education (CE) programs. The Education Innovation (EI) AmeriCorps VISTA will create standardized student internship tracks that will support the development of young emerging leaders in the food system. Additionally, this member will craft F2S program activities with external partners that utilize the recruited interns to strengthen the long-term impact of F2S initiatives across Rhode Island
Members must commit to a full year of service from January 17, 2023 to January 16, 2024. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Deadline to apply is December 1, 2022. Note: We are accepting candidates on a rolling basis and are flexible in negotiating start dates. One year of service is required, but for example service term could run 12/5/2022 to 12/4/2023.
Primary Responsibilities
- Conduct a needs assessment and asset map of Farm Fresh, college, and high school internship opportunities relating to food systems and health fields of study.
- Enhance and expand current knowledge of best practices and models for capacity building for F2S.
- Develop new activities and programs identified for internships, including afterschool and summer camps.
- Create an internship model proposal including activities, budget, timelines and implement and pilot programming, where applicable.
- Assist CE staff with program implementation for youth, families, and seniors.
- Participate in the program performance measurement process.
Skills Required
- Excellent professional communication skills (written and verbal)
- Great attention to detail
- Project planning skills
- Self-starter and ability to maintain a self-motivating attitude
- Ability to collaborate and work as part of a team
- Excellent time-management skills
- Ability to think, react, iterate, and redirect in a fast-paced environment
- Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite and/or Google Docs
- Ability to prioritize and handle a variety of assignments simultaneously in a vibrant work environment
- Spanish or other language skills a plus
- Nutrition/Health/General education experience preferred
- Able to bend and lift loads up to 50 pounds
- Reliable access to a car required
About AmeriCorps VISTA
AmeriCorps is a network of national service programs, made up of three primary programs that each take a different approach to improving lives and fostering civic engagement. AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) members bring passion and perseverance where the need is greatest: to organizations that help eradicate poverty. AmeriCorps VISTA members serve as a catalyst for change, living and working alongside community members to meet our nation’s most pressing challenges and advance local solutions.
AmeriCorps VISTA Member Benefits
- Bi-weekly living allowance of $675.08
- $600 monthly rent stipend
- Monthly bus pass
- Student loan deferment
- Mileage reimbursement
- Professional development opportunities
- CNCS health benefit & childcare assistance
- $6,495 Segal Education Award upon completion of service to help pay for college, graduate school, or vocational training, or to repay student loans
To Apply
Members must commit to a full year of service from January 17, 2023 to January 16, 2024. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Deadline to apply is December 1, 2022. Note: We are accepting candidates on a rolling basis and are flexible in negotiating start dates. One year of service is required, but for example service term could run 12/5/2022 to 12/4/2023.
- Email stephanie@farmfreshri.org with a resume and short cover letter to apply.
- No calls or walk-ins please.
Farm Fresh Rhode Island seeks an outgoing and energetic Youth Culinary Education AmeriCorps VISTA with demonstrated initiative and clear organizational communication skills to build capacity for the Farm Fresh RI’s Harvest Kitchen program. Harvest Kitchen is a 20-week culinary and job-readiness training program for youth within the Department of Children Youth and Families (DCYF). The youth create a line of high-quality preserved foods using ingredients sourced from local farms, while building a stable foundation to maintain employment beyond their time with Harvest Kitchen. This position offers a unique opportunity to support existing trainees through curriculum enhancement and evaluation, develop partnerships with local social service agencies, and assist Harvest Kitchen program staff in supporting youth trainees and referring themto additional services and opportunities beyond the Harvest Kitchen program.
Members must commit to a full year of service from January 17, 2023 to January 16, 2024. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Deadline to apply is December 1, 2022. Note: We are accepting candidates on a rolling basis and are flexible in negotiating start dates. One year of service is required, but for example service term could run 12/5/2022 to 12/4/2023.
Primary Responsibilities
- Refine existing Harvest Kitchen training curriculum to deepen activities around food security, farming, and community economic development.
- Enhance Harvest Kitchen training curriculum with experiential learning opportunities such as field trips or coordinating guest speaker events.
- Draft Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for field trips and guest speaker coordination.
- Evaluate new curriculum improvements and draft recommendations for future trainee cohorts.
- Research current and past Harvest Kitchen internship partners to identify systems needed to support internship success.
- Streamline the Harvest Kitchen internship referral process.
- Cultivate relationships with new and existing internship sites.
- Seek opportunities for collaboration between Harvest Kitchen trainees and outside organization programs and services.
Skills Required
- Excellent professional communication skills (written and verbal)
- Great attention to detail
- Self-starter and ability to maintain a self-motivating attitude
- Ability to collaborate and work as part of a team
- Excellent time-management skills
- Ability to think, react, iterate, and redirect in a fast-paced environment
- Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite and/or Google Docs
- Ability to prioritize and handle a variety of assignments simultaneously in a vibrant work environment
- Spanish skills or other language skills are a plus
- Able to bend and lift loads up to 50 pounds
- A U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or Lawful Permanent Resident Alien of the U.S.
- At least 18 years old
- A minimum of a high school diploma or GED
- No more than three previous terms as an AmeriCorps Member
- Pass a criminal history background check, for recurring access to vulnerable populations, including a search of the National Sex Offenders Public Website, a Rhode Island criminal record check, state of residence if different than Rhode Island, and a fingerprint-based FBI background check
Organizational Info
Farm Fresh has grown briskly since achieving 501c3 status in 2007, to capture the public interest in locally grown food and translate it into sales for local and regional farmers and producers. Strongly mission-driven, Farm Fresh RI hosts a variety of programs to enhance the local food system, with particular attention to farm viability and low-income access to fresh food. Farm Fresh also operates a range of marketplace programs (retail, wholesale, processing) that engage and connect eaters with farmers and food producers across the Northeast region.
Mission: Farm Fresh Rhode Island is growing a local food system that values the environment, health, and quality of life of farmers and eaters in our region.
Vision: A Northeast region abundant with diverse family farms and fertile soils, with locally and honestly produced foods and flavors at the heart of every dinner table.
About AmeriCorps VISTA
AmeriCorps is a network of national service programs, made up of three primary programs that each take a different approach to improve lives and foster civic engagement. AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) members bring passion and perseverance where the need is greatest: to organizations that help eradicate poverty. AmeriCorps VISTA members serve as a catalyst for change, living and working alongside community members to meet our nation’s most pressing challenges and advance local solutions.
AmeriCorps VISTA Member Benefits
- Bi-weekly living allowance of $675.08
- Monthly rent stipend of $600
- Student loan deferment
- Option of monthly bus pass or mileage reimbursement for use of a personal vehicle for service-related activities
- Professional development opportunities
- CNCS health benefit & childcare assistance
- $6,495 Segal Education Award upon completion of service to help pay for college, graduate school, or vocational training, or to repay student loans
To Apply
Members must commit to a full year of service from January 17, 2023 to January 16, 2024. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Deadline to apply is December 1, 2022. Note: We are accepting candidates on a rolling basis and are flexible in negotiating start dates. One year of service is required, but for example service term could run 12/5/2022 to 12/4/2023.
- Please go to: http://www.americorps.gov/about/programs/vista.asp and review the AmeriCorps VISTA information on that site.
- Then go to https://my.americorps.gov/mp/login.do and click “Search Listings.” For the search, select the “Rhode Island” and “AmeriCorps VISTA” options. Scroll until you find this position. Click on it and choose “Apply Now.” Submit your application including 2 references.
- No calls or walk-ins please.
NOTE: Applications must be submitted through this AmeriCorps VISTA site, Farm Fresh Rhode Island cannot accept applications directly but questions can be emailed to thea@farmfreshri.org.
Six-Month AmeriCorps Opportunities
The Food Access and Education AmeriCorps Direct Service member works with our Community Education and Food Access Teams to implement local food access and food system and nutrition program activities throughout Rhode Island.
The AmeriCorps member will work with the Community Education team to design and implement local food and nutrition education activities alongside staff and volunteers. They will ensure our education department works with community partners to extend greater access to nutritious, locally grown food across populations from pre-k to seniors. This includes supporting cooking classes, taste tests, farmers market programming, garden programs, in-school and after-school education program series, among other exciting opportunities, to bring local food and agriculture knowledge and access to the community.
The AmeriCorps member will also work with the Food Access team, implementing Farm Fresh RI’s Fresh Bucks initiative at local farmers markets; creating more jobs and healthier, more resilient communities. The AmeriCorps member will support market accounting and data management for our farmers market programming. They will ensure that our Farmers Markets team works with our community partners to extend greater access to locally grown food throughout the communities that are home to Farm Fresh RI markets.
Being an enthusiastic healthy food advocate is a must, and an understanding of growing and garden practices is preferred but not required. This position starts March 27, 2023 and ends September 24, 2023. Deadline to apply is 2/28/2023.
Primary Responsibilities (Community Ed)
- Refine existing curriculum as needed, and develop new programming based on community and organizational needs.
- Implement local food programming at various community sites including schools, after school programs, farmers markets, camps, and senior centers.
- Establish meaningful relationships with partners and stakeholders including farmers, school professionals, community site leaders, students, and families.
- Support data tracking and program performance measurement systems.
- Support outreach to new sites and populations, and communications support.
Primary Responsibilities (Food Access)
- Process credit, debit, and SNAP/EBT customer transactions at farmers markets.
- Record customer transactions at farmers market welcome tables.
- Assist in the assembly of statewide data about SNAP use at farmers markets.
- Work with Farm Fresh staff to support preparation of materials to administer Farm Fresh’s Bonus Bucks for SNAP/EBT shoppers.
- Support data tracking and program performance measurement systems.
- Provide outreach to new farmers market sites and populations, and support organizational communication efforts.
- Implement surveys to learn more about what programming local communities would like to see at farmers markets to make them a welcome grocery shopping location.
Essential Functions
- Must have a high school diploma/GED. College degree or working toward one is preferred but not required.
- Be at least 17 years old.
- Must be a U.S. Citizen, U.S. National, or Permanent Resident and be able to provide documentation of citizenship.
- Must be willing to undergo a National Criminal History Background Check.
- Must be willing to work occasional nights and weekends; schedules are determined by program needs and will be worked out with the supervisor.
- Must be able to build relationships with people from varied cultural, economic, educational, racial, and religious backgrounds.
- Must uphold AmeriCorps state and national branding and uniform standards.
- Be a self-starter and have the ability to maintain a self-motivating attitude.
- Able to collaborate and work as part of a team.
- Able to think, react, iterate, and redirect in a fast-paced environment.
- Excellent professional communication skills (written and verbal).
- Great attention to detail.
- Excellent time-management skills.
- Ability to prioritize and handle a variety of assignments simultaneously in a vibrant work environment.
- Willingness to work hands-on in various environments (outdoors at markets, inside at the office).
- Able to bend and lift loads up to 50 pounds.
- Must have a valid driver’s license and access to personal reliable transportation — mileage reimbursement will be provided for personal vehicle use.
Non-Essential Skills
- Experience with youth/youth development is preferred.
- Experience in group facilitation, classroom and/or training is preferred.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Google Suite is preferred.
- Spanish skills or other language skills are a plus.
Terms of Service and Hours Requirements
Members must commit to a full-time approx. 35 hours/week AmeriCorps service term from March 27, 2023 to September 24, 2023 — totaling 900 hours of service.
Members must have the ability to work early evenings or weekends, as needed, for certain farmers market days with advance notice. Member schedules can be flexible with prior approval by supervisors.
Members will be given the opportunity to fulfill all service hour requirements while also allowing for holidays and 50 hours of paid time off (PTO). Missed hours can be made up on- or off-site depending on supervisor approval. All Members must participate in AmeriCorps national, state, and local service projects as a part of their service term.
Orientation, Training, and Evaluation
Members will receive one-on-one training on AmeriCorps program impacts, history, and prohibited activities as well as orientation to the local food system and food justice topics addressed by Farm Fresh RI. Training will not exceed more than 20% of the Member’s total service hours completed.
All Members will have opportunities for weekly one-on-one check-ins with supervisors as well as end-of-service performance evaluation. Members will be responsible for submitting weekly timesheets and monthly program narrative reports.
AmeriCorps Member Benefits
- $13,000 Living Stipend, divided and paid weekly (est. $200)
- $3247.50 Segal Education Award (upon completion of 900 hours of service)
- Student Loan Forbearance
- Mileage Reimbursement
- Professional Development Opportunities
To Apply
Members must commit to a 900 hour term of service, starting on March 27, 2023. Deadline to apply is February 28, 2023. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
- To apply, please fill out our application here.
- No calls or walk-ins please.
About AmeriCorps
AmeriCorps is a network of national service programs, made up of three primary programs that each take a different approach to improving lives and fostering civic engagement. Members commit their time to address critical community needs like increasing academic achievement, mentoring youth, and fighting poverty. Members commit to a fixed term of service and receive a living allowance and end of service education award.
The Hope’s Harvest program seeks a full-time, seasonal Food Rescue AmeriCorps Direct Service Member, who will support the rescue of surplus food from local farms and its distribution to food insecure individuals and families throughout Rhode Island. They will recruit and manage volunteers, lead food rescue (gleaning) trips, create and disseminate volunteer and stakeholder communications via online newsletters and social media, and assist with annual volunteer engagement events and activities.
Description of Duties
Stakeholder Recruitment and Management
- Conduct volunteer recruitment via webinars, newsletters, listservs, and in-person events.
- Support planning and logistics for annual volunteer orientation events.
- Update and ensure accurate volunteer data in CRM database.
- Develop and deploy outreach tools to encourage farmer utilization of gleaning services.
- Map out schedule of program gleaning activities based on farmer contracts and pre-season planning.
Lead Food Rescue Trips
- Lead regular gleaning trips on farms throughout the harvest season (starting in June), including pre- and post-trip prep, clean up, and administration.
- Deliver food to hunger relief agency partners, ensuring compliance with Hope’s Harvest food safety SOPs.
- Provide educational content about hunger relief, farming, and food justice to volunteers.
- Track accomplishments and outcomes of food rescue operations.
- Document gleaning activities for communications content.
- Perform regular cleaning/maintenance on equipment (trucks, harvest tools, etc.).
Communications
- Write blog posts detailing program activities to share on social media and our website.
- Support content creation for newsletter and social media platforms to grow stakeholder engagement and increase community awareness of program activities and impact.
Program Tracking and Evaluation
- Log all program activities and participation.
- Support administration of end-user beneficiary survey to better understand the impact of Hope’s Harvest program activities.
- Support additional stakeholder input gathering and analysis via online survey tools.
Essential Functions
- Must have high school diploma/GED, college degree, or be working toward one (preferred but not required).
- Must be willing to undergo a National Criminal History Background Check.
- Be at least 18 years of age.
- Must be a U.S. Citizen, U.S. National, or Permanent Resident and be able to provide documentation of citizenship.
- Must uphold AmeriCorps state and national branding and uniform standards.
- Willing to work occasional weekends during the harvest season (at least 1-2 times per month).
- Able to build relationships with people from varied cultural, economic, educational, racial, and religious backgrounds.
- Able to bend and lift loads up to 60 pounds repetitively.
- Must hold a clean driving record and valid driver’s license, and have reliable transportation and willingness to drive large vehicles (no CDL required).
- A self-starter and have the ability to maintain a self-motivating attitude.
- Able to collaborate and work as part of a team.
- Able to think, react, iterate, and redirect in a fast-paced environment.
- Strong and evolving commitment to anti-racism and actively confronting white supremacy as an end in itself and as a means toward liberation for all people.
- Comfortable working in farm fields in all types of New England weather. This typically includes hot and humid summer days, wet and cold autumn, and early winter conditions.
Non-Essential Functions
- Experience with CRM (Salesforce,) and/or training a plus.
- Excellent professional communication skills (written and verbal) preferred.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Google Suite preferred.
- Spanish skills or other language skills are a plus.
- Background in adult education, leading volunteer/tour groups, and/or organizing service work teams.
- Background working on farms or in community garden settings.
Terms of Service and Hours Requirements
AmeriCorps Direct Service Members must commit to a full 25-weeks- approx. 36-40 hour/week AmeriCorps full-time service term starting April 3, 2023 through September 24, 2023 — totaling 900 hours of service.
Members will be given the opportunity to fulfill all service hour requirements while also allowing for holidays and 50 hours of Paid Time Off (PTO). Missed hours can be made up on-site or off -site depending on supervisor approval. All Members must participate in AmeriCorps national, state, and local service projects as a part of their service term.
Orientation, Training, and Evaluation
Members will receive one-on-one training on AmeriCorps program impacts, history, and prohibited activities as well as orientation to the local food system and food justice topics addressed by Farm Fresh RI programs. Training will not exceed more than 20% of the members total service hours completed.
All members will have opportunities for weekly one-on-one check-ins with supervisors as well as mid-service and end-of-service performance evaluations. Members will be responsible for submitting weekly timesheets and monthly program narrative reports.
AmeriCorps Member Benefits
- $13,000 living stipend, divided and paid weekly
- $3247.50 Segal Education Award (upon completion of 900 hours of service)
- Student loan forbearance
- Mileage reimbursement
- Professional development opportunities
To Apply
Members must commit to a 900-hour term of service, starting on April 3, 2023 and ending September 24, 2023. Deadline to apply is February 14, 2023. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
- To apply, please fill out our application here.
- No calls or walk-ins please.
About AmeriCorps
AmeriCorps is a network of national service programs, made up of three primary programs that each take a different approach to improving lives and fostering civic engagement. Members commit their time to address critical community needs like increasing academic achievement, mentoring youth, and fighting poverty. Members commit to a fixed term of service and receive a weekly living allowance and end of service education award.
Internships
Farm Fresh Rhode Island is a nonprofit with a mission to grow a local food system that values the environment, health, and quality of life of New England's farmers and eaters. Our vision is a region abundant with diverse family farms and fertile soils, with locally and honestly produced foods and flavors at the heart of every dinner table. Farm Fresh operates a wide range of marketplace programs (retail, wholesale, processing) that engage and connect tens of thousands of eaters with local farmers. Since its founding in 2004, Farm Fresh has grown briskly to capture the public interest in locally grown food and translate it into sales for local and regional farmers and producers. Strongly mission-driven, Farm Fresh has implemented a variety of programs to enhance the local food system, with particular attention to farm viability and low-income access to fresh food.
Market Mobile is a local food e-commerce and aggregation platform that connects local farmers and food artisans with buyers like restaurants, grocers, schools, and others as well as residential customers through a simple online order system and distribution service. Market Mobile is a unique model for wholesale and consumer food distribution, designed from the ground up around the needs of farmers and buyers. Every week of the year, small family to mid-sized farms and local food producers list their fresh produce, eggs, dairy, meat, fish, and other value added products for sale to wholesale and home customers for curbside pickup and home delivery in Providence and neighboring towns, and wholesale delivery throughout RI and the Boston-metro area.
The Market Mobile Intern is an 8-12 hours/week unpaid internship working directly with the Market Mobile Assistant Manager.
Primary Responsibilities
- Assist with administrative duties, such as paperwork and packline support.
- Assist with customer service and communication needs.
- Assist Market Mobile Assistant Manager with outreach efforts to local restaurants and businesses.
- Additional administrative activities as directed by Market Mobile Assistant Manager.
Skills Required
- Excellent professional communication skills (written and verbal)
- Great attention to detail
- Ability to collaborate and work as part of a team
- Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite
- Ability to prioritize and handle a variety of assignments simultaneously in a vibrant work environment
- Knowledge of Google Sheets
Availability and Hours
- Flexible hours: 8-12 hours per week depending on applicant’s interest
- Flexible start and end dates
- Shifts available 5 days a week
- Availability on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday afternoons are required
- Additional availability on Tuesday mornings is preferred
Contact
- To apply, or with any questions, please contact rachel@farmfreshri.org. Please write “Market Mobile Internship” in the subject line and attach a resume and a letter of interest.
Farm Fresh Rhode Island is committed to the principle of equal opportunity in employment for all employees. We encourage enquiries from candidates who will enrich and contribute to the cultural and ethnic diversity of our organization. Farm Fresh RI does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, creed, color, religion, marital status, gender, sexual orientation, veteran status, national origin, or disability status in employment or programming. Farm Fresh Rhode Island is an Equal Opportunity Provider.
Farm Fresh Rhode Island is an AmeriCorps grantee and receives funds as part of their State and National program, and to operate our VISTA program.
