Farm Fresh Rhode Island seeks a Farmers Market AmeriCorps member with demonstrated initiative and clear organizational communication skills to support utilization of USDA food assistance programs at Farm Fresh RI farmers markets. They will ensure that our Farmers Markets team works with our community partners to extend greater access to healthy, locally grown food throughout the communities that are home to Farm Fresh RI markets. An integral part of Farm Fresh RI, the farmers market program works on the belief 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 an opportunity to operate Farm Fresh’s Fresh Bucks initiative at local farmers markets, creating more jobs and healthier, more resilient communities. Members must commit to a full time 25 weeks of service, from April 5 to September 26, 2021. The application deadline is March 1, 2021. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
Primary Responsibilities
- Process credit, debit, and SNAP/EBT customer transactions at farmers market welcome tables.
- Record customer transactions at farmers market welcome tables.
- Assist in the assembly of statewide data about SNAP use at farmers markets.
- Work with Farm Fresh staff to support preparation of materials to administer Farm Fresh’s Bonus Bucks for SNAP/EBT shoppers.
- Support data tracking and program performance measurement systems.
- Provide outreach to new farmers market sites and populations, and support organizational communication efforts.
- Manage farmers market volunteers.
- Implement survey to learn more about what programming local communities would like to see at farmers markets to make them a welcome grocery shopping location.
Essential Skills
- Must have a high school diploma/GED. College degree or working toward one is preferred but not required.
- Be at least 17 years old.
- Must be a US Citizen, U.S. National, or Permanent Resident and be able to provide documentation of citizenship.
- Must be willing to undergo a National Criminal History Background Check.
- Must be willing to work occasional nights and weekends; schedules are determined by program needs and will be worked out with the supervisor.
- Must be able to build relationships with people from varied cultural, economic, educational, racial, and religious backgrounds.
- Must uphold AmeriCorps state and national branding and uniform standards.
- Self-starter and have the ability to maintain a self-motivating attitude.
- Able to collaborate and work as part of a team.
- Able to think, react, iterate, and redirect in a fast-paced environment.
- Excellent professional communication skills (written and verbal).
- Great attention to detail.
- Excellent time-management skills.
- Ability to prioritize and handle a variety of assignments simultaneously in a vibrant work environment.
- Willingness to work hands-on in various environments (outdoors at markets, inside at office).
- Able to bend and lift loads up to 50 pounds.
- Must have a valid driver’s license and access to reliable transportation — mileage reimbursement will be provided for personal vehicle use.
Non-Essential Skills
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Google Suite preferred.
- Spanish skills or other language skills are a plus.
About AmeriCorps
AmeriCorps is a network of national service programs, made up of three primary programs that each take a different approach to improving lives and fostering civic engagement. Members commit their time to address critical community needs like increasing academic achievement, mentoring youth, and fighting poverty. Members commit to a fixed term of service and receive a weekly living allowance and end of service education award.
Terms of Service & Hours Requirement
Members must commit to a full-time 25 weeks, approx. 36-38hour/week AmeriCorps service term from April 5, 2021 to September 26, 2021 — totaling 900 hours of service.
Members must have the ability to work early evenings or weekends, as needed, for certain farmers market days with advance notice. Member schedules can be flexible with prior approval by supervisors.
Members will be given the opportunity to fulfill all service hour requirements while also allowing for holidays and 50 hours of paid time off (PTO). Missed hours can be made up on or off-site depending on supervisor approval. All Members must participate in AmeriCorps national, state, and local service projects as a part of their service term.
Orientation, Training & Evaluation
Members will receive one-on-one training on AmeriCorps program impacts, history, and prohibited activities as well as orientation to the local food system and food justice topics addressed by Farm Fresh RI. Training will not exceed more than 20% of the Member’s total service hours completed.
All Members will have opportunities for weekly one-on-one check-ins with supervisors as well as end-of-service performance evaluation. Members will be responsible for submitting weekly timesheets and monthly program narrative reports.
Benefits
- $7000 living stipend, divided and paid in equal weekly installments
- $3097.50 Segal Education Award (upon completion of 900 hours of service)
- Student loan forbearance
- Mileage reimbursement
- Professional development opportunities
To Apply
Complete this online application form. After filling out your application, please email your resume to Thea Upham, [email protected]. Applications are due by March 1, 2021, and will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
About Farm Fresh Rhode Island
Begun in 2004 as a student thesis project at Brown University, Farm Fresh 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 achieved 501c3 status in 2007, and has since implemented a variety of programs to enhance the local food system of the Northeast region, with particular attention to farm viability and low-income access to fresh food. Farm Fresh operates a number of farmers markets that engage and connect tens of thousands of local eaters with thousands of local farmers. Farm Fresh RI also operates the Bonus Bucks initiative to increase the spending power of shoppers using Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits at farmers markets by providing a 100% match on EBT purchases to spend on fresh fruits and vegetables. Farm Fresh RI distributes Bonus Bucks at all farmers markets we operate and facilities Bonus Bucks at other farmers markets statewide.
Mission: Farm Fresh Rhode Island is growing a local food system that values the environment, health, and quality of life of farmers and eaters.
Vision: A Northeast region abundant with diverse family farms and fertile soils, with locally and honestly produced foods and flavors at the heart of every dinner table.
Farm Fresh Rhode Island is committed to the principle of equal opportunity in employment for all employees. We encourage enquiries from candidates who will enrich and contribute to the cultural and ethnic diversity of our organization. Farm Fresh RI does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, creed, color, religion, marital status, gender, sexual orientation, veteran status, national origin, or disability status in employment or programming. Farm Fresh Rhode Island is an equal opportunity employer.