LFPA Outreach Coordinator @ Coastal Foodshed

Job Description Position: LFPA Outreach Coordinator, Part-Time

CFS Background:
Coastal Foodshed (CFS) is a non-profit local 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 foods 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 the Southcoast. CFS manages farmers markets and mobile farm stands in
addition to an online farmers market with delivery services.

All 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!

Project Summary:
Coastal Foodshed was recently awarded The Local Food Purchase Assistance
Cooperative Agreement Program grant from the MA Department of Agricultural Resources.
With this funding, CFS will work through their existing network of more than 65 local farmers
and local food entrepreneurs to purchase local meats, eggs, dairy, and pantry items to
distribute free of charge at farmers market and mobile farm stand locations to increase
awareness of, and foot traffic to CFS’ locations. In addition, CFS will be distributing weekly to
PACE’s Food Bank. Through a robust marketing campaign, and the distribution of items free of
charge, the goal is to increase foot traffic to Coastal Foodshed’s locations where new customers
will also have the opportunity to purchase other local foods and learn about the Healthy
Incentives Program.

Position Summary:
The LFPA Outreach Coordinator will work to promote the LFPA project, participation and
awareness of SNAP (previously known as the Food Stamp Program) and HIP at CFS’ market
locations both in-person and online. This position will provide grassroots marketing and
outreach to New Bedford residents throughout the city and at CFS markets. This position will
also work with the CFS team on distribution days at the markets while educating customers on
utilizing their benefits to purchase local food.

The ideal candidate will be very outgoing, energetic, organized and have a self-starter mentality
as they will primarily be responsible for creating their own outreach schedule. The candidate
will be knowledgeable about the communities in New Bedford and ideally have strong ties
within the community or be enthusiastic and dedicated to building relationships with partner
organizations and community members. The candidate should also have a strong interest in
local food systems, particularly food access and food security mission driven work.

Primary Responsibilities:
• Attend CFS in-person markets to assist with implementation of food boxes
• Educate and inform current and new SNAP customers on how to use their SNAP/HIP
benefits to purchase local food at CFS markets
• Identify locations in the community to conduct outreach and promotion of food boxes,
SNAP/HIP and CFS programs to potential customers
• Distribute print/digital SNAP/HIP marketing materials throughout the city to customers
and partner organizations
• Assist with implementation of marketing campaign to promote the LFPA project,
SNAP/HIP, and CFS programs
• Attend in-person/zoom meetings with partner organizations included but not limited to
health centers, food pantries, and public housing in-person to conduct outreach
• Be able to present CFS and all its programs with knowledge and enthusiasm, including
farmers and local food producer partners
• Collect data, surveys, and customer feedback forms necessary for grant reporting
• Provide administrative support to CFS staff as needed

Qualifications:
• High school diploma; preferably 2+ years of experience in community outreach
• Strong organizational, oral communication skills; attention to detail; and the ability to
manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Fluency in written and spoken Spanish a plus
• Be able to bend and lift up to 50 pounds and work in adverse weather conditions (we
setup in the rain for markets)
• Available to work Saturdays
• Access to reliable transportation
• Passion for Coastal Foodshed’s mission and food systems work

Hours/Benefits:
CFS is based in New Bedford. This majority of this position’s work will be completed out of the
office, conducting outreach/education at the markets and throughout the community.
Occasional work can be done remotely, but this position is required to check in weekly at CFS’
Food Hub Headquarters in New Bedford. The commute to and from the office and markets is
the employee’s financial responsibility. Mileage reimbursement will be provided for travel to
partner organizations and community centers to perform outreach.

This is an hourly, non-exempt position, typically working 20-25 hours per week. Hourly rate is
$20-$22/hr. Compensation determined by experience.

Please note: This position is grant funded and it is limited in time to the duration of the 18-
month grant period unless an extension is needed and granted. There is high potential for this
position to turn into a year-round staffed position.

How to Apply:
Please send a resume and a cover letter explaining why you would like to work in this position
at CFS to [email protected] with subject line: “LFPA Outreach Coordinator” in the
subject line. Interested candidates must submit these two items by January 31st, 2023 in order
to be considered for the position.

Coastal Foodshed vales 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.