Food Forward Inc. Farmers Market Recovery Program Coordinator Ventura, CA · Full time Company website

Apply for Farmers Market Recovery Program Coordinator

Food Forward fights hunger and prevents food waste by rescuing fresh surplus produce, connecting this abundance with people experiencing food insecurity, and inspiring others to do the same. Fruits and vegetables are collected from backyard fruit trees, farmers markets, growers, and wholesalers and then provided free of charge to people experiencing food insecurity through more than 250 hunger relief partner organizations that serve communities across the region. CORE VALUES: – COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT Working together, we inspire and are inspired by the people in the communities we serve. – EQUITY AND INCLUSION We cultivate a diverse workforce that nurtures equity and inclusion. – FOOD JUSTICE We share the abundance of fresh produce and prevent food waste because everyone deserves access to fresh and nutritious food. – INTEGRITY We are honest, accountable, and authentic in our words and actions. – JOYFULNESS We embrace a creative, spirited, and fulfilling environment

Core Responsibilities

Event Coordination:

• Schedule and coordinate logistics for all weekly market gleans (18-25 markets)
• Conduct frequent, timely, and effective phone, email, and text communication with various stakeholders (volunteer event leaders, farmers market vendors &managers, hunger relief organizations, potential partners, etc.) to schedule events, resolve issues, achieve program objectives, and build and maintain relationships. 
• Collect and review data from event reports via Excel, Google Workspace, Tableau & CITRA (Food Forward’s proprietary database).
• Lead FMR events, and assist with equipment drop-offs, produce pick-ups and deliveries to hunger relief agencies.

Volunteer Engagement: 

• Recruit, onboard, train, schedule, oversee, and build working relationships with 100+ volunteer event leaders who lead market glean events. 
• Assist with the planning and participate in volunteer engagement activities.
• Work with the Volunteer team to assist with outreach and Community Ambassador efforts. 

Program Operations:

• Facilitate program expansion and growth, including scouting and launching FMR at new markets. 
• Organize, review, and maintain monthly event data via Food Forward’s data software CITRA & Tableau. 
• Conduct regular equipment inventory and identify repair and purchasing needs.
• Procure, secure, maintain, and stock gleaning equipment storage locations; serve as the point of contact and maintain relationships with regional equipment hubs.
• Assist with updating and developing new training materials for event leaders, as well as creating and updating FMR staff workflows and handbooks. 
• Assist with the creation and organization of program-related information and resources within Google Workspace. 
• Cross-training as a leader in the Backyard Harvest and Community Ambassador programs and support with cross-department process improvements.
• Support the Community Programs team in the office and the field, as needed.
• Play a key role in supervising program assistants and interns and training new staff. 
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Communication and Community Outreach: 

• Serve as the point of contact and maintain relationships with community partners; help prospect new community partners.
• Draft content for program-related and organization-wide newsletters, blogs, social media, and other external communication. 
• Represent Food Forward at community events, food recovery and ag sector meetings, universities, etc. 
• The ability to communicate with Spanish-speaking partners is a plus, but it is not required. 

Minimum Requirements: 

• Computer literate and proficient in Google Workspace & Microsoft Excel.
• Must be willing and available to have a flexible schedule and work weekends, including each Saturday. 
• Must be able to provide regular field support with short notice at any of our Ventura County markets
• Ability to drive large utility-style vans and trucks (training is provided).
• A valid Class C driver’s license with a clean driving record to be physically present to work at various markets and transport work related materials when needed.
• Must be willing and available to use a personal smartphone (cell phone stipend paid semi-monthly).

Hours: Full-Time, non-exempt

Location: Hybrid - remote and Ventura, CA office

Physical Requirements: 

• Ability to work both indoors and outdoors
• Ability to lift and carry boxes of produce and equipment weighing up to 55 lbs repeatedly from ground to vehicles and over unstable ground. 
• Alternate sitting and standing as needed; push or pull; grasp; reach above, at, or below shoulder level; and kneel, crouch, and stoop as needed.
• Ability to climb stairs.
• Willingness to operate Food Forward vehicles (training provided).

BENEFITS:

• Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance Coverage, and Retirement with up to 4% employer matching. Generous Sick Days, Vacation, Personal Days, and Holiday allocation. Cell Phone and WiFi stipend.

HOW TO APPLY: 

Send a cover letter and resume as a PDF to https://foodforward.org/careers/#job-listings. The subject line should read, FMR Coordinator - (Your Name). In the body of the cover letter, include 1) Where did you discover this listing, and 2) If you were a variety of produce, what would you be and why?