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ORGANIZATION: Food Forward (501c3 non-profit), www.foodforward.org
POSITION: Ventura County Branch Associate
HOURS: Part-Time, 20 hours per week
ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW: Food Forwards mission is to fight hunger and prevent food waste by rescuing fresh surplus produce, connecting this abundance with people in need and inspiring others to do the same. Fruits and vegetables are rescued from backyard fruit trees, orchards, farmers markets, and the downtown Los Angeles Wholesale Produce Market. In the last 10 years, Food Forwards programs have rescued over 70 million pounds (more than 280 million servings) of fresh fruits and vegetables, preventing 26,000 metric tons of CO2 equivalent from polluting the atmosphere. With a small staff, hundreds of community partners, and the power of 7,000+ volunteers, we will help over 1.75 million Southern Californians experiencing food insecurity this year. See our core values posted below.
PROGRAM OVERVIEW:
The Backyard Harvest Program (BYH) started in 2009 in the San Fernando Valley when two volunteers harvested over 800 pounds of tangerines from a single tree. To date, we have donated over 2 million pounds to over 100 receiving agencies in Los Angeles, Ventura and Santa Barbara counties. The Backyard Harvest Program administers a volunteer-based, systematized collection of produce from backyards, farms and orchards in our region that might otherwise go to waste. Instead, 100% of this fruit is donated to agencies serving those in need.
The Farmers Market Recovery Program (FMR) is an innovative program that gleans the unsold produce from farmers markets and distributes it to hunger relief agencies. The program perfectly aligns with Food Forwards mission, as it addresses the problems of food waste that are often present at farmers markets while combating urban hunger and food access injustices. The FMR program currently has weekly volunteer events at 25 (and counting) markets across Los Angeles and Ventura counties.
The Wholesale Recovery Program (WRP) is our newest program that recovers over 1 million pounds of fresh produce from the LA Downtown Wholesale Market and from various wholesale distributors in Ventura County each month. This enormous amount of fresh, wholesome produce is trucked throughout Southern California to larger receiving agencies that can manage those quantities, sharing it with smaller agencies in their immediate vicinity.
POSITION OVERVIEW:
The Ventura County Branch Associate will report to the Ventura County Branch Manager. This person will play an important role in supporting and expanding existing programs. This position is an entry-level position and provides an opportunity to become deeply involved in the urban food justice community, while working to grow the organizations presence in Ventura County.
Weekly responsibilities for the Backyard Harvest program include communicating with backyard fruit donors, farmers, and gardeners who have fruit trees or vegetables, scheduling and coordinating harvesting events, program reporting, serving as point-of-contact for Food Forward for 40+ trained event leaders in addition to the hundreds of volunteers that participate in events throughout the year. The Associate will work with the Branch Manager and other staff on Farmers Market Recovery program coordination, Wholesale Recovery program coordination, Produce Pick-Up coordination and field support, receiving agency relations, weekend event support, community outreach, program development, strategic planning, and special projects as needed.
In addition, this person will be responsible for equipment drop-off and produce pick-ups from donors throughout Ventura County and beyond, delivering the produce donations to receiving agencies, and keeping accurate records of donations. Other duties will include maintenance of equipment, Food Forward storage hubs including Branch office, and vehicles, data entry, scouting properties, assisting with coordination of special events and community outreach. This person will oversee student interns and office volunteers including onboarding, training, mentoring, and providing constructive feedback on their performance and work. The Associate will participate in regularly scheduled meetings with each program. The Associate and other staff will visit headquarters on a regular basis (at least once per month) as well as serve on one or more of Food Forwards committees as a way to further connect our satellite branch to the main office.
This person would primarily be using Food Forward vehicles, however, a reliable form of transport to and from the office is essential (we are close to bus, bike, and freeway routes). The Associate is expected to work on the weekend and must be able to lift and carry boxes weighing in excess of 55 pounds on a regular basis.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Mandatory availability on weekends, Monday, and Tuesday
Extremely organized and efficient with excellent attention to detail
Minimum 2 years experience in a fast-paced, hands-on job related to social justice, anti-hunger, environmental and/or food systems, and/or Bachelors degree in social services, environmental science or business management
Ability to lift and carry boxes of produce weighing up to 55 lbs repeatedly from ground to vehicles and over unstable ground
Ability to represent Food Forward as a Community Ambassador to engage various stakeholders
Ability to sit, stand, walk, climb stairs and ladders, bend, lift, twist, kneel, crouch, crawl, pull, push, carry, grasp, reach and stoop as needed
Proven effective data and project management skills
Ability to thrive in fast-paced work environment, working on many project simultaneously
Excellent written and verbal skills in English
Ability to load and properly use picking equipment such as but not limited to 6 and 8 foot ladders, picker poles, hand trucks, pallet jack and/or forklift
Good geographical knowledge of Ventura and Santa Barbara counties
Maintain Valid Class C Drivers license and clean driving record
ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS:
Ability to drive large utility-style vans and trucks in compliance of traffic and safety laws
Ability to work collaboratively with all members of a team and also comfortable working independently
Ambitious, can do attitude and solutions-based thinking
Creative problem-solving skills and ability to make and act on decisions quickly
Experience with volunteer coordination
Proficient in Microsoft Office software and Google Drive, Docs & Sheets
Knowledge of locally grown fruit tree varieties, including harvest seasons, tree size and shape, fruit qualities
Proficiency speaking Spanish is a plus
Fundraising and special event planning/coordination a plus
Marketing and community outreach experience a plus
A strong desire to grow with Food Forward
HOURS: Part-Time, 20 hours per week
Wage: $15-$18/hr depending on experience.
BENEFITS:
100% Medical, Vision, and life insurance upon full-time employment status
Simple IRA with 3% employer matching (after one year of employment)
5 days of PTO for part-time staff with additional sick days
Cell phone allowance
Telecommuting and work flexibility
TO APPLY:
Send a cover letter in the body of the email including where you discovered this listing, which variety of produce you would be and why, and attach your resume in a PDF version to career @ foodforward. org.
The subject line must read, VC Branch Associate (Your Name). No phone calls please. Please follow these instructions to ensure we process your application.
Food Forward strongly encourages people of color, women, l/g/b/t/q individuals, those with disabilities, and those with protected class backgrounds to apply.
Food Forward Core Values:
Creativity We seek to innovate in all facets of our work.
Joyfulness We cultivate a meaningful, fun, positive and spirited work environment.
Committed to Food Justice We believe that access to wholesome food, and fresh nutritious produce, is not a privilege, but a right. We work hard to end food inequality and reduce food insecurity.
Authenticity We are transparent and honest in our words, deeds and actions. We act at the highest level of integrity.
Disciplined We are reliable, professional, accountable, rigorous and committed to excellence in all areas of our work, both internally and externally.
