Opportunities to Get Involved:
Employment Opportunity: Program Manager for Farmers Market Recovery Program
Hours: Part‐ Time, 15 – 20 hours weekly
Compensation: $20/hour
Start Date: August 1, 2012
The Farmers Market Recovery Program is a new initiative by Food Forward to administer a volunteer-‐based, reliable, systematized collection of produce from farmers at the end of markets that would otherwise go to waste, which will then be donated to agencies serving those in need.
Responsibilities:
The Farmers Market Recovery Program Director will be responsible for the following:
-‐ Developing and maintaining relationships with LA area farmer’s markets vendors
-‐ Developing and maintaining relationships with Farmers Market management
-‐ Overseeing the recovery and re‐distribution of fresh produce at 3 markets each week
-‐ Maintaining relationships with local assistance agencies that receive produce donations through the Program
-‐ Recruiting, overseeing and training volunteers to assist in food recovery and redistribution
-‐ Maintaining donation records, preparing donation receipts, preparing monthly and yearly statements for funders, farmers, receiving agencies and Food Forward.
-‐ Working with other Food Forward staff and volunteers to develop and grow the program
Requirements and Skills:
Applicant should be customer‐focused and have the ability to relate to groups and individuals in the farmer’s market/food recovery arena. Applicant should be self-‐motivating, self‐directing and capable of working independently. Applicants should also have a positive, can‐do attitude, enthusiasm and lots of energy!
Applicant must have her/his own vehicle to drive to area markets and agencies around the Los Angeles area (including Santa Monica and SF Valley), be available to work on weekends, be able to lift crates of produce and equipment weighing up to forty (40) lbs and be able to demonstrate proficiency with basic word processing and spreadsheet software like Word and Excel. Experience interfacing with farmers is preferred.
Applicants able to communicate in Spanish are preferred.
Transportation costs will be reimbursed.
To Apply, send resume in pdf format and cover letter in the body of the email to info@foodforward.org. The Subject line should read: “FMR Applicant: (your name here)”.
Volunteer/Internship Opportunities:
We need volunteers/interns for the Wednesday Santa Monica market, the Sunday Studio City Farmers Market and the Sunday Atwater Village Farmers Market.
Volunteers will have the opportunity to develop deep relationships with their local farmer’s market, its farmers and agencies serving the hungry. By volunteering twice per month during market hours, volunteers will talk with farmers, collect their produce donations and keep records of those donations. Volunteers/Interns will also interact with Food Forward selected and vetted local hunger action agencies by collecting empty crates from the agency and assisting the agency when it picks up the produce at the end of market.
This position is very autonomous. Our Program Manager will train and assist volunteers/interns in acclimating to the market and be available to help with any questions or concerns, but once trained the recovery is run completely by volunteers each week. Food Forward gives you the tools, support, and a transportation stipend and you make it happen!
If Interested, send an email to info@foodforward.org. In the email, please tell us a little about yourself and the markets you wish to work in. The Subject line should read: “FMR Volunteer: (your name here)”. We will start reviewing these by late July.
This is such a great idea! I hope the pilots work out. It sure would be nice to see this in the SCV where there’s 2 markets within 8 mi of the local food pantry (Thurs @ Old Town Newhall, 1 mi. & Sun @ COC, 7.8 min) …
Thanks Jennifer – this is a pilot program. If successful we will be expanding it in 2013 to several more markets – so stay in touch!