JOB OPPORTUNITIES

Farm Fresh Rhode Island is seeking a full-time Nutrition Education Program Director. The Nutrition Education Program Director, reporting to the Program Director for Community Access, is responsible for supervising all of Farm Fresh RI’s Farm to School and Nutrition Education program activities by managing relationships with community partners, managing program staff, supervising performance measurement, and participating in Farm Fresh RI Farm to School and Nutrition Education program strategy. They will work closely under the management of the Community Access Program Director on a small, energetic, and organized team made up of two full-time AmeriCorps VISTA members, and one part-time program staff member.
An ideal candidate is committed to supporting local farmers and agriculture; has experience with network building and nutrition education; and has strong program management skills

About Farm to School Programs at Farm Fresh Rhode Island
Farm Fresh RI manages a diverse variety of programs, many of which increase the availability and affordability of locally sourced foods for all New Englanders. 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 department.

Since 2009, we have provided community education series at farmers markets, senior centers, libraries — and more recently at early childcare centers and at in-school and after-school programs. In 2013, Farm Fresh RI began supporting state Farm to School efforts and is now the National Farm to School Network’s core partner for the state of Rhode Island. Our Farm to School and 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.

Key Responsibilities
Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Manage all Farm to School and Nutrition Education part-time program staff and AmeriCorp VISTA positions.
• Supervise Farm to School and Nutrition Education program grant, outcomes, and activities. Submit grant invoices and draft grant reports.
• Build and maintain Farm to School stakeholder relationships with Farm Fresh RI’s nonprofit partners, state agencies, farmers, schools, and food-service management companies.
• Participate in national and regional Farm to School workgroups to stay abreast of best practices to inform future RI strategic efforts.
• Support local procurement and value chains between farmers and institutional purchasers.
• Execute scheduled education program activities as needed.

Job Requirements

• Commitment to Farm Fresh RI mission and values
• Strong interpersonal skills (patience, respect, transparency)
• Ability to follow Nutrition Education program procedures
• Strong professional and practical communications skills (written and verbal)
• Outgoing and able to connect with a range of audiences, including small children and the elderly
• Excellent time management and organizational skills
• Able to work effectively on a team
• Ability to multitask and respond to changing priorities
• Interest in local food systems and food justice
• Available to work some evening and occasional weekend hours
• Valid drivers license and access to reliable transportation
• Able to bend and lift loads up to 50 pounds
• Background check required

Priority Skills
Candidates with any of the following skills will be prioritized:

• Past experience in an education settings
• Past experience with Farm to School activities
• Spanish speaking or non-English language skills
• Candidates from Providence, Pawtucket, and Central Falls
• Knowledge of, and experience with, community health work
• Farming, food safety, or foodservice experience
• Strong Microsoft Office and Google Suite skills

Hours/Benefits

• Full-time position: 40 hours a week, flexible schedule depending on the season
• Benefits: Health & dental insurance packages available, 15 paid vacation days, mileage reimbursement

To Apply

• Please send your resume and cover letter Attn: Sheri Griffin to sheri@farmfreshri.org with subject line “Farm to School Director Application.”
• Final application deadline May 28, 2019; applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
• No phone calls or drop-ins please.

Markets Program at Farm Fresh RI
Since 2004, Farm Fresh Rhode Island has been providing affordable farmers markets selling locally grown foods in low-income neighborhoods that often have limited access to fresh food. We value increasing healthy food access while at the same time maintaining fair prices to farmers and transparency around local food systems. All markets managed by Farm Fresh Rhode Island accept and encourage the use of federal food assistance programs (SNAP/EBT and WIC).

Job Function / Purpose of Role
Farm Fresh Rhode Island is seeking committed and reliable team-players to join our Community Access team as Welcome Table Managers and staff. We are looking for dedicated team members who will assist in managing the Fresh Bucks table at the following farmers markets for the full 2019 outdoor season:

• Neutaconkanut Park Market, Providence *Spanish Speaking Required
  • Mondays, July 1 – October 28
  • Working hours: 1:30 – 6:45pm
• Broad Street Market, Providence
  • Saturdays, June 15 – October 26
  • Working hours: 6:30am – 1:00pm
• Central Falls Market *Spanish Speaking Required
  • Wednesdays, July 3 – October 30
  • Working hours: 2:45 – 8:00pm
• Slater Park Market, Pawtucket
  • Wednesdays, July 3 – October 30
  • Working hours: 1:45 – 7:00pm
• Woonsocket Market, Thundermist Health Center
  • Tuesdays, July 2 – October 29
  • Working hours: 1:30 – 7:30pm
• Brown University Market, Providence
  • Wednesdays, September 4 – October 30
  • Working hours: 9:15am – 3:00pm
• Armory Market, Providence
  • Thursdays, June 6 – October 31
  • Working hours: 1:30 – 8:00pm
• Hope Street Market, Providence
  • Saturdays, May 4 – October 26
  • Working hours: 8:00am – 1:30pm

Farm Fresh RI staff will train new market staff on tasks necessary to be an effective part of the Summer Markets Team. We seek someone who is detail oriented, responsible, and passionate about contributing to increasing access to healthy food in Rhode Island. Applicants must commit to fulfilling the entire market season and provide their own transportation for carrying market equipment to and from market sites and the Farm Fresh RI office in Pawtucket; staff is reimbursed for mileage.

Position Details
Hours

• These are part-time, seasonal positions. Applicants can apply to staff single or multiple tables for the season. (7-24 hours a week depending on availability and interest).
• Most of our markets run July-October — additional hours will be required for training and season debriefs.
• There is potential for additional hours to assist with market outreach and events (depending on availability and interest).

Primary Responsibilities

• Provide transportation for market equipment from our Pawtucket office to market sites.
• Set up and break down market tent and table.
• Assist with vendor set up as needed.
• Enforce market rules and regulations with all vendors and customers.
• Run card machine for credit card and EBT customers and distribute Fresh Bucks tokens for transactions.
• Keep record of transactions and balance the market paperwork at end of market.
• Collect Fresh Bucks tokens from vendors at end of market and write receipts.
• Maintain positive, equitable relations with all market vendors and customers.
• Work with market volunteers and interns when necessary.

Education, Knowledge, Experience Required

• High school diploma or GED equivalent.
• Multi-lingual proficiency preferred but not required (Spanish speaking required for Neutaconkanut Park and Central Falls markets).
• Interest in nutrition, public health, and environmental issues preferred.
• Able to bend, and lift loads up to 50 pounds.
• Must have access to reliable transportation for transporting market equipment to and from program sites across the state.
• Must have a valid drivers license.

Critical Skills

• Interpersonal comfortability, sociable personality
• Basic math and accounting
• Detail oriented

Compensation

• Starting $14-16/hr
• Mileage Reimbursement

To Apply

• Please apply using our online form.
• Application deadline: May 13, 2019.

Farm Fresh Rhode Island seeks an outgoing and energetic Youth Culinary Education AmeriCorps VISTA member with demonstrated initiative and clear organizational communication skills to build capacity for Farm Fresh RI’s Harvest Kitchen program. Harvest Kitchen is a 15-week culinary and job-readiness training program for youth involved with the Department of Children Youth and Families (DCYF). Our youth trainees 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 referring and supporting youth trainees to additional programs beyond the Harvest Kitchen program. Position to begin in July 2019.

Primary Responsibilities

• Refine existing Harvest Kitchen training curriculum to deepen activities around food security, farming, and community economic development .
• Refine existing trainee tracking and program performance measurement systems.
• Research current and past Harvest Kitchen internship partners to identify relationship status.
• Streamline internal Harvest Kitchen internship referral process.
• Cultivate relationships with potential new internship sites.
• Seek opportunities for collaboration between Harvest Kitchen trainees and outside organization programs and services.

Required Skills

• 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
• Ability to prioritize and handle a variety of assignments simultaneously in a vibrant work environment
• Ability to lift 50 lb.
• Spanish skills or other language skills a plus

To Apply

1. Please review the information about becoming an AmeriCorps VISTA member at: http://www.americorps.gov/about/programs/vista.asp
2. Next, go to https://my.americorps.gov/mp/login.do and click "Search Listings."
3. For the search, select the “Rhode Island” and “AmeriCorps VISTA” options. Scroll until you find this position, click on it, and choose “Apply Now.”
4. Submit your application including two (2) references. Note: Applications must be submitted through this AmeriCorps VISTA process; Farm Fresh Rhode Island cannot accept applications directly.

Farm Fresh Rhode Island seeks an analytical and thoughtful Nutrition Education Fruitful Data Systems AmeriCorps VISTA with demonstrated initiative and clear organizational communication skills to increase Farm Fresh Rhode Island’s capacity to make data-driven decisions. An integral part of Farm Fresh Rhode Island’s team, our nutrition education department works with community institutions and the public school system to ensure greater access to healthy locally grown food across populations. This position offers a unique opportunity to design a sustainable data management system to catalog efforts and successes, helping us research the changing food landscape by identifying key farm to school stakeholders and advocates in RI. Position to begin in August 2019.

Primary Responsibilities

• Research, design, and pilot data management systems to track information about programming, campaigns, and grant projects based on best practices.
• Work with department staff to develop criteria for all efforts to be measured against for consistent internal analysis.
• Compile data points that can be realistically and accurately taken from a variety of campaigns and programs and oversee collection and data input.
• Research current stakeholders and advocates of Rhode Island Farm to School and develop resources to track and manage relationships.
• Create standard operating procedures for researching, tracking and managing Nutrition Education Database.

Required Skills

• 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
• Ability to prioritize and handle a variety of assignments simultaneously in a vibrant work environment

To Apply

1. Please review the information about becoming an AmeriCorps VISTA member at: http://www.americorps.gov/about/programs/vista.asp
2. Next, go to https://my.americorps.gov/mp/login.do and click "Search Listings."
3. For the search, select the “Rhode Island” and “AmeriCorps VISTA” options. Scroll until you find this position, click on it, and choose “Apply Now.”
4. Submit your application including two (2) references. Note: Applications must be submitted through this AmeriCorps VISTA process; Farm Fresh Rhode Island cannot accept applications directly.

Farm Fresh Rhode Island seeks an outgoing and energetic Volunteer Coordinator AmeriCorps VISTA with demonstrated initiative, strong organizational skills, and outstanding communication to increase Farm Fresh Rhode Island’s volunteer capacity. As an integral part of Farm Fresh Rhode Island’s team, this person is responsible for recruiting volunteers across the organization, developing strategies and procedures around volunteer recruitment and management, problem-solving and adopting best practices. This position offers a unique opportunity to increase community engagement through volunteer recruitment, training, management, appreciation and retention to help Farm Fresh Rhode Island achieve its mission of farm vitality and food security. Position to begin in June, 2019.

Primary Responsibilities

• Analyze and expand on Farm Fresh RI’s current volunteer coordination techniques based on research best practices.
• Work with and across all Farm Fresh RI programs. Assess each program’s volunteer needs and capacity. Recruit and connect interested volunteers with programs.
• Continue to develop a volunteer management plan and help staff implement this plan.
• Enhance onboarding for new volunteers including volunteer screenings, orientation and trainings, and assignments.
• Improve on educational and training materials for volunteers.
• Develop projects to expand and create sustainable pipelines of volunteers.
• Maintain and enhance scheduling and reporting of volunteer hours.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of volunteer programs.

Required Skills

• 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
• Ability to prioritize and handle a variety of assignments simultaneously in a vibrant work environment

To Apply

1. Please review the information about becoming an AmeriCorps VISTA member at: http://www.americorps.gov/about/programs/vista.asp
2. Next, go to https://my.americorps.gov/mp/login.do and click "Search Listings."
3. For the search, select the “Rhode Island” and “AmeriCorps VISTA” options. Scroll until you find this position, click on it, and choose “Apply Now.”
4. Submit your application including two (2) references. Note: Applications must be submitted through this AmeriCorps VISTA process; Farm Fresh Rhode Island cannot accept applications directly.

Farm Fresh Rhode Island seeks an innovative and energetic Wholesale Access AmeriCorps VISTA with demonstrated initiative, strong organization, and outstanding communication skills to increase Farm Fresh Rhode Island’s wholesale market for EBT users, senior citizens, and other marginalized members of our community. Market Mobile is Farm Fresh’s wholesale local food distribution platform that aggregates products across a variety of farms, allowing a wide variety of customers to access local food wholesale, while also supporting New England family farms and small businesses to receive a fair price for their products while reaching new markets. This position offers a unique opportunity to further systematize and streamline procedures for EBT users, and overall help to grow Market Mobile's reach to community members who would not otherwise access this benefit. Position to begin in July 2019.

Primary Responsibilities

• Develop understanding and audit Farm Fresh RI’s current food access opportunities in wholesale markets.
• Research best practices for access to wholesale, local food platforms for low income shoppers.
• Compile current barriers to accessing Market Mobile from target populations.
• Develop systems and tools to support the various steps of the ordering and payment process for buying clubs and SNAP/EBT use on Market Mobile. These will mitigate barriers that are already clear, like language, access to technology, and online use of SNAP/EBT.
• Pilot outreach strategies, systems, and materials. Assess pilot and revise as needed.
• Document systems and tools for long-term use.

Required Skills

• 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
• Proficient with Google Drive and Microsoft Office suite
• Ability to prioritize and handle a variety of assignments simultaneously in a vibrant work environment

To Apply

1. Please review the information about becoming an AmeriCorps VISTA member at: http://www.americorps.gov/about/programs/vista.asp
2. Next, go to https://my.americorps.gov/mp/login.do and click "Search Listings."
3. For the search, select the “Rhode Island” and “AmeriCorps VISTA” options. Scroll until you find this position, click on it, and choose “Apply Now.”
4. Submit your application including two (2) references. Note: Applications must be submitted through this AmeriCorps VISTA process; Farm Fresh Rhode Island cannot accept applications directly.

Farm Fresh Rhode Island seeks an outgoing and enthusiastic Farmers Market Food Security AmeriCorps VISTA with demonstrated initiative and clear organizational communication skills to increase awareness and understanding on how to use USDA food assistance programs to support local agriculture and food businesses. An integral part of Farm Fresh Rhode Island’s team, the farmers market program believes that the root cause of hunger is poverty, and therefore increasing local economic opportunities must be a part of hunger relief solutions. This position offers a unique opportunity to educate businesses and social service agencies on how to invest federal dollars in local economies and agriculture; creating more jobs and healthier, more resilient communities. Position to begin in June 2019.

Primary Responsibilities

• Implement needs assessment for all farmers markets, CSAs, and farm stands that accept USDA food assistance programs.
• Create trainings for farmers and market managers on facilitating USDA food assistance programs onsite.
• Create toolkits and printed resources for farmers and market managers on facilitating USDA food assistance programs onsite.
• Review Farm Fresh RI farmers market outreach sites to identify new partnership and outreach opportunities with a focus on partner social service agencies.
• Develop outreach and awareness presentations to foster engagement in the concept of using USDA food assistance programs to support local agriculture.
• Pilot outreach presentations at local social service agencies and evaluate participant awareness and overall effectiveness.
• Review current Farm Fresh RI strategies for recruiting and sustaining volunteers and apply to farmers market program volunteer development.
• Enhance Farm Fresh RI volunteer onboarding practices to foster volunteer engagement in farmers market support activities.
• Consistently engage with community stakeholders to encourage volunteer participation in farmers market activities.
• Create how to guide for managing volunteers in outreach and farmers market programs.

Required Skills

• 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
• Ability to prioritize and handle a variety of assignments simultaneously in a vibrant work environment
• Spanish or other language skills are a plus
• Willingness to work hands-on in various environments (outdoors at markets, inside at office)
• Interest in nutrition, public health, and environmental issues preferred
• Able to bend and lift loads up to 50 pounds
• Must have access to reliable transportation for transporting market equipment to and from program sites across the state
• Must possess a valid drivers license

To Apply

1. Please review the information about becoming an AmeriCorps VISTA member at: http://www.americorps.gov/about/programs/vista.asp
2. Next, go to https://my.americorps.gov/mp/login.do and click "Search Listings."
3. For the search, select the “Rhode Island” and “AmeriCorps VISTA” options. Scroll until you find this position, click on it, and choose “Apply Now.”
4. Submit your application including two (2) references. Note: Applications must be submitted through this AmeriCorps VISTA process; Farm Fresh Rhode Island cannot accept applications directly.

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 8:00am-3:00pm Monday through Friday. The cashier position will require shifts as early as 7:00am, 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 side work.
• 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 Program Director, Jen Stott, at chefjen@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.