Job Opportunity - Farmers Market Food Security AmeriCorps VISTA

[Land Jobs Stuff – RI + MA + CT ag]

Organization Information

Begun in 2004 as a student thesis project at Brown University, Farm Fresh Rhode Island 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 RI achieved 501c3 status in 2007, and has since implemented a variety of programs to enhance the local food system of the Rhode Island 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 RI, MA and CT eaters with thousands of RI, MA and CT farmers.

Mission: Farm Fresh RI is growing a local food system that values the environment, health and quality of life of RI farmers and eaters.

Vision: A New England abundant with diverse family farms and fertile soils, with locally and honestly produced foods and flavors at the heart of every dinner table.

Position Description

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.