Food Access Associate

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Farm Fresh Rhode Island seeks Food Access Associate to provide administrative support to operate our farmers markets and food access programs. The Food Access Program Associate reports directly to the Food Access Program Director. This position plays a key role on the Farm Fresh RI farmers market team by supporting all farmers market activities with a focus on organizing back end operations and managing weekly farmers markets and outreach tactics.

This role demands an ability to stay organized, and readily jump back and forth between diverse task areas. Key position responsibilities will be managing market equipment supplies, maintaining positive relationships with statewide market partners, and reaching new and underserved communities with an emphasis on including customers utilizing WIC & Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program and SNAP benefits. This is a non-exempt, full-time, seasonal position. Preferred start date is May 27th but is flexible. This position will run through the first week of November. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until filled. Applicants who apply by April 22, 2024 will be prioritized for consideration.

The Food Access Program Associate will support all Farm Fresh RI Farmers Market programming by dividing time between

Fresh Bucks token system maintenance, data entry and communications
Managing farmers market sites
Assisting with planning and conducting farmers market outreach & event activities
Assisting with customer surveying at farmers markets
Fresh Bucks/ Bonus Bucks Responsibilities

Support weekly internal FFRI Bonus Bucks token system processing
Weekly Farmers Market and Bonus Bucks program data entry and database updates
Monitor Zoho portal data for FFRI and Statewide partner markets
Support and monitor weekly market bin and binder resetting Check end counts, final calculations, clear out cash boxes, binders, resupply with market sheets
Update farmers market binder paperwork to ensure market managers are prepared for each market day
Farmers Market and Outreach Responsibilities

Assist with day-to-day operation troubleshooting for farmers market programs
Prepare materials and equipment for weekly farmers markets and outreach events
Monitor weekly schedule of part time staff, interns and volunteers for farmers market and outreach activities, assist with schedule troubleshooting.
Maintain market equipment and supply levels ensure managers have what they need for each market and communicate if any new materials need to be purchased.
Document outreach activities and track outreach outcomes to assist with grant reporting and historical reference.
Personally represent Farm Fresh RI at community outreach events and other opportunities to promote Farmers Markets and Bonus Bucks programs
Other Responsibilities

Directly staffing up to 3 farmers markets per week throughout the summer/fall season, but mostly 1-2 weekly.
Collaborate with Communications Director to create and keep current all farmers market outreach and promotional materials with seasonal day/ date changes.
Oversee recruitment, training and scheduling of volunteers to assist with farmers markets and outreach activities as needed.
Assist with Farm Fresh RI Farmers Market event planning and execution as needed.
Collect photos, videos, stories or other social media content from farmers market and food access events to share with Communications Director
The Farmers Market position is subject to change over time given needs of the organization
Organizational Responsibilities

Must be able to build relationships with people from varied cultural, economic, educational, racial, and religious backgrounds.
Must be able to collaborate and work on cross-program & departmental teams and efforts
Must maintain a customer service orientation while considering solutions and interacting with external partners

Priority Skills

Candidates with any of the following skills will be prioritized

Spanish speaking or non-English language skills
Deep understanding of communities in Providence, Pawtucket, and Central Falls
Knowledge and experience with community organizing
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.
Employees must be able to lift and carry up to 50 lbs.
Ability to travel, which may include travel via car to and from farmers markets

Compensation

Starting $20/hour
Mileage Reimbursement
Paid Sick & Safe Leave

To Apply

Please send your resume and cover letter to hiring@farmfreshri.org with the subject line “Food Access Associate”
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until filled. Applicants who apply by April 22, 2024 will be prioritized for consideration.
No phone calls or drop-ins please.

FFRI Admin, info@farmfreshri.org or 401-312-4250