Job Description Position: Market Associates
Organization History: Coastal Foodshed is a non-profit farmer food hub based in New Bedford, MA. Our mission is to strengthen the local food economy by making it easier for growers to sell, and consumers to buy healthy, affordable, local foods, with a focus on making locally grown and made food more equitably accessible to marginalized and/or food insecure households in New Bedford. We operate year-round in-person and online markets that are accessible not only to New Bedford residents, but also to the Southcoast. CFS manages farmers markets and mobile farm stands in addition to an online farmers market with delivery services.
All of our markets accept SNAP and the Healthy Incentive Program (HIP), in addition to other nutrition incentive programs. We work hard to make local food accessible for everyone regardless of income, and create markets where farmers can sell either directly, or through wholesale channels. We simply want to make local food easier to buy and believe everyone should have equal access to it.
Position Summary: Coastal Foodshed is seeking both full-time and part-time, seasonal Market Associates for the 2023 outdoor season. The position will support operations of farmers markets, farm stands, and virtual market. The position floats between these programs and assists with the implementation of operations at the markets and reports directly to the Program Manager. The applicant must be able to prioritize and handle a variety of assignments simultaneously in a vibrant work environment and be willing to work with people from varied backgrounds. An ideal candidate will be energetic, outgoing, organized, and passionate about community connections, local food systems, particularly food access and food security mission driven work.
Primary Responsibilities:
Drive the CFS trailer to market sites to set up product/marketing display for the farmers market and farm stand
Sell products using a point-of-sale system while engaging current and potential customers to encourage them to try new products and promote farmers and local food producers
Provide quality control and monitoring of products onsite at markets and at food hub
Assist with aggregation prep, sorting, inventory, and packing products for all markets
Educate SNAP/HIP customers on how to shop both online and in-person, and provide general market education to consumers and vendors
Assist with packing of wholesale orders and wholesale deliveries/pick-ups
Occasionally deliver Virtual Market orders to customers, processing SNAP transactions when necessary
Assist with event implementation- music and demos- at the markets
Collect data/feedback from customers/vendors at market for grant reporting
Maintain cleanliness in order to comply with food safety regulations
Be able to present Coastal Foodshed and all its programs with knowledge and enthusiasm
Skills Required:
Be outgoing and able to build relationships with people from varied cultural, economic, educational, racial, and religious backgrounds
Be able to work effectively on a team
Have excellent verbal communication and customer service skills with an ability to enforce market rules and regulations
Be able to adapt to changing work environments, and be flexible and willing to perform other tasks as assigned
Have strong organizational skills and attention to detail
Be able to bend and lift loads up to 50 pounds and work in adverse weather conditions
Have a valid drivers license
Passion for Coastal Foodshed’s mission and food systems work
Farming, foodservice, and customer service experience a plus
Driving a truck with a “landscape” trailer attached, or be very willing to learn: we will teach you this skill!
Hours and Compensation:
This is a seasonal, non-exempt, hourly position. This position will typically work 30-40 hours/week with 4-5 shifts throughout our operations week Monday through Saturday. There is potential to work more hours and the opportunity for year-round work. Hourly rate is between $15-$18/hr. Compensation determined by experience.
How to Apply:
Please send resume and cover letter explaining why you would like to work in this position at CFS to [email protected] with subject line: "Market Associate” in the subject line. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.
Coastal Foodshed values a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace and strongly encourages women, people of color, LGBTQ+ folks, people with disabilities, members of ethnic minorities, foreign-born residents, and veterans to apply. Applicants will not be discriminated against because of race, color, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, religion, national origin, citizenship status, disability, ancestry, marital status, veteran status, medical condition, or any protected category prohibited by local, state or federal laws.