Job Position: Market Associate
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!
Position Summary:
Coastal Foodshed is seeking a part-time Market Associate to 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 working with other Market
Associates under the supervision of the Program Manager. The applicant must be highly organized,
detailed oriented, able to prioritize and handle a variety of assignments simultaneously 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:
• Load products into trailer and setup the market retail display for the farmers markets and
farm stands
• Sell products using multiple point-of-sale systems 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
• Assist with implementation of a weekly SNAP delivery/pick-up site
• Educate SNAP/HIP customers on how to shop both online and in-person, and provide
general market education to consumers and vendors
• Deliver Virtual Market orders to all 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
• 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 access to reliable transportation
• Have a valid drivers license
• Passion for Coastal Foodshed’s mission and food systems work
• Farming, foodservice, and customer service experience a plus
• Driving track to the markets, or be very willing to learn- we will teach you this skill! Don’t let
this deter you from this position : )
Hours and Compensation:
This is a part-time, hourly, non-exempt position. This position is seasonal and work hours
vary with the season. From November-May this position typically works 15-20 hours per
week, 3 days a week from November-May. This position can transition to full-time in the
peak season months June-October. Hourly rate is between $15.00-$18.00/hr. Compensation
determined by experience. Access to delicious local food at discounted prices, paid time off,
retirement after 1 year.
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 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.