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!
Farm Fresh Rhode Island is seeking a full-time Nutrition Education Program Associate. The Nutrition Education Program Associate will support all Farm Fresh RI Nutrition Education programming by dividing time between in-office administration and onsite program execution. They will work closely under the management of the Nutrition Education Program Manager on a small, energetic, and organized team made up of two fulltime AmeriCorps VISTA members, and part-time program staff.
Since 2009, Farm Fresh RI has provided community nutrition education series at farmers markets, senior centers, and libraries — and more recently, at early childcare centers and at in-school and after-school programs. Farm Fresh RI’s Nutrition Education programs emphasize hands-on, age-appropriate sessions on agriculture, nutrition, gardening, and cooking. The program also educates food service managers and purchasers on the benefits of purchasing locally grown food; provides support in making local purchases and integrating them into cafeteria/congregate meal settings; and serves as a liaison to the farming community.
About Farm Fresh Rhode Island
We envision a New England abundant with diverse family farms and fertile soils, with locally and honestly produced foods and flavors at the heart of every table. Originally inspired over a decade ago by a Brown University student project, today our mission is much as it was from the start — to grow a local food system that values the environment, health, and quality of life of the farmers and eaters in our region.
We manage a diverse variety of programs many of which increase the availability and affordability of locally sourced foods for all New Englanders, and share knowledge of how these fresh ingredients fit into a healthy lifestyle. An important aspect of developing the local food system is growing the demand for local food through educational activities. The food that is harvested regionally consists of high quality fruits, vegetables, and proteins — ingredients for a diet high in nutrition. Providing consumers with the tools to access and enjoy these products is the task of our Nutrition Education team.
Key Responsibilities
Responsibiliites will include, but are not limited to:
- Fielding and scheduling program requests from sites across RI
- Preparing food and materials for weekly programs
- Program data entry and database maintenance
- Execute Nutrition Education program activities at sites across RI
- Promote programs on social media and write quarterly Farm to School newsletter
- Train and schedule volunteers and interns
- Track and monitor program spending
- Assemble program summaries to be shared internally and externally
- Assist with day-to-day operations for nutrition education programs
Requirements
- Commitment to Farm Fresh RI's mission and values
- Interest in local food systems and food justice
- Ability to follow Nutrition Education program procedures
- Outgoing and able to connect nutrition education messages to a wide range of audiences
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Strong organizational skills; detail oriented
- Available to work a flexible program schedule, sometimes including evenings and weekends
- Able to work effectively on a team
- Excellent time management skills
- Ability to think, react, and iterate and redirect in a fast-paced environment
- Experience working in diverse community settings
- Able to lift loads up to 50 pounds
- Able to transport materials to and from program sites across the state
High Priority Skills
Candidates with any of the following skills will be prioritized:
- Spanish speaking or non-English language skills
- Candidates from Providence, Pawtucket, and Central Falls
- Knowledge of, and experience with, community health work
- Farming or food service experience
- Excellent computer kills
- Certification in Food Safety Management (ServSafe)
- Customer service and program administration
Hours and Benefits
- Full-time position: 40 hours a week, flexible schedule depending on the season
- Some weekend and evening hours required
- Benefits: Health and Dental insurance packages available; 15 paid vacation days
To Apply
- Please send cover letter and resume to nutritioneducation@farmfreshri.org — be sure to include "Associate Application" in the subject line
- Application deadline: October 29, 2018
- No phone calls or drop-ins please
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 seeking a part-time, seasonal Outreach Assistant to work with our Farmers Market team this fall.
Hours and Rate
- Estimated 8 hours per week, November through December
- $20/hour, plus mileage reimbursement as applicable
Communities to Serve
- Pawtucket and Central Falls
Purpose
- To drive increased attendance at the Pawtucket Wintertime Famers Market by Pawtucket Woodlawn
neighborhood residents. - To receive actionable feedback and suggestions regarding Pawtucket Wintertime Farmers Market messaging to populations living in the Pawtucket Woodlawn neighborhood.
- To promote Farm Fresh RI’s "Double Your SNAP" 100% match SNAP benefits program, called Bonus Bucks.
Market Promotion Responsibilites
- Work with our Farmers Markets team and Farm Fresh RI's existing site routes to post flyers and distribute materials at the beginning of the market season
- Establish and ground connections between Farm Fresh RI and Pawtucket/Central Falls communities like churches, community organizations, schools, etc.
- Attend at least one community event each month in Pawtucket/Central Falls to promote the farmers market and Bonus Bucks program
- Notify Farm Fresh RI staff when posters and flyers need to be re-stocked at community sites throughout the season
- Assist Farm Fresh RI in creating social media and online promotions for the Pawtucket Wintertime
Farmers Market
Qualifications
- Resident of Pawtucket/Central Falls
- Must have car and valid drivers license
- Involvement in local community groups
- Portuguese and/or Spanish speaking preferred
To Apply
- Please send letter of interest and resumer to Farmers Market Program Coordinator, Leigh Vincola, at leigh@farmfreshri.org
- Application deadline: October 15, 2018
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.
This position is a part-time hourly position. Compensation is commensurate with experience.
Farm Fresh Rhode Island is seeking a committed and reliable team player to join our Harvest Kitchen team. Harvest Kitchen is part of Farm Fresh Rhode Island's initiative to increase the variety of value-added local farm products available, and part of the Farm Fresh RI mission to create a community-based food system. Harvest Kitchen covers multiple facets of programming, including:
- A 20-week culinary and job-readiness training program for youth involved with the Department of Children, Youth, and Families
- A sister production and training program that operates within the Rhode Island Training school. All products created by Harvest Kitchen use ingredients sourced from local farms. The program focuses on empowering youth to understand how their activities connect to the local food system and the local food movement at large, while gaining necessary skills and experiences to be able to pursue their personal and professional goals.
- A local-foods café, offering delicious, nutritious, and reasonably priced foods in a neighborhood without many healthy options to choose from. The café also serves as an on-site retail training space where youth in our culinary training program can experience how it is to be working in the "front of house" while still in a structured learning environment.
Primary Responsibilities
The cashier position will be focused in the Harvest Kitchen café at 2 Bayley Street in downtown Pawtucket, which is open to the public 7:00am-3:00pm Monday through Friday. The cashier position will require shifts as early as 6:30am, as well as customer service skills, attention to detail, and cleanliness.
Responsibilities and essential job functions include but are not limited to the following:
- Maintain a clean and well-stocked cashier station, dining space, and bathroom area.
- Maintain a working knowledge of menu offerings and ingredients with awareness of Harvest Kitchen allergen policy.
- Understand the relationship of Harvest Kitchen's menu and products as it relates to the local food system and local farmers.
- Ensure customer satisfaction with service and food quality. Harvest Kitchen’s customer service principles emphasize excellent customer experiences.
- Cash handling and financial transactions; ensuring every sale is correctly charged and closed.
- Complete all daily scheduled shift duties and sidework.
- Communicate with kitchen management staff during scheduled shift through oral communication or short written correspondence/memos.
- Ensure safe food handling procedures for food sampling according to the RI Department of Health.
- Model positive and professional workplace behavior for coworkers, customers, and youth in training.
Desired Qualifications
- Ability to solve customer issues and concerns immediately and efficiently
- Punctuality and ability to maintain a good attendance record
- Attention to personal hygiene and uniform standards
- Maintaining professionalism at all times while on premises or when representing Harvest Kitchen off site
- Ability to perform and manage POS (point of sale) operations and financial transactions
- Ability to stand for up to four hours
Preferred Qualifications
- Food Safety Manager Certification (preferred, not required)
- Customer Service and/or Food Service experience
To Apply
- Please send resume and cover letter to Harvest Kitchen Assistant Program Director, Melanie Bowdish, at melanie@farmfreshri.org
- Or drop off your resume and cover letter at Harvest Kitchen, 2 Bayley Street, Pawtucket, RI.
Farm Fresh Rhode Island Foundational & Organizational Outcomes
As an organization, we feel it is important that all employees in all programs of Farm Fresh Rhode Island are expected to uphold the following outcomes in addition to their specific job responsibilities:
- Diversity, Inclusion, & Respect: All staff and volunteers are committed to equality in the workplace, demonstrate respect for each other and those we serve, and work to create a more equitable food system.
- Food Safety: Certifications are maintained and standard operating procedures are followed to ensure safe food handling at all times.
- Health & Safety: Staff, volunteers, and visitors are safe in our office, café, and at all program sites. Staff and volunteers feel safe and supported in the workplace.
- Food Systems Knowledge: All workers can speak about local, sustainable, and equitable food system development and understand how Farm Fresh RI programs address different aspects of these topics.
- Service Orientation: Staff and volunteers are helpful and respectful in all interactions with each other and with all constituents of all Farm Fresh RI programs.
