Position Information

Job Title: Seasonal Produce Reclamation Assistant

Program/Dept: Volunteer Program

Location: New Hope

Manager: Volunteer Manager – Local Food Initiative

This is an hourly part-time seasonal position with approximately 22 hours per week. The work schedule will be from the beginning of July 2024 through the end of October 2024, including every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday. The hourly pay is $19.00 per hour.

Job Summary

The Seasonal Food Reclamation (Rescue) Assistant is a part-time seasonal position from July through October 2024. The position is responsible for sorting local produce, working with groups of volunteers at the Minneapolis Farmers Markets to reclaim produce, and attending 4 on-farm gleans per month (location varies). The Seasonal Food Reclamation Assistant will work to motivate teams of volunteers to reclaim and supply fresh local produce for distribution to regional food shelves.

The position will assist with Farmer’s Market produce reclamation (rescue) (every Sunday), on-farm produce gleaning, and support of volunteer programming. Tasks and schedules will vary during the season, and this position will report directly to the Volunteer Manager – Local Food Initiatives.

Core Job Functions

Farmers Market Reclamation

• Drive the produce reclamation van from The Food Group warehouse to the Minneapolis Farmers Market every Sunday
• Assist in leading groups of 10 volunteers in collection, sorting, and loading boxes of surplus produce from farmers at the Minneapolis Farmers Market
• Coordinate with the Market Manager on scheduling, logistics, etc.
• Represent The Food Group professionally when in public and leading volunteers
• Cultivate positive working relationships with vendors at the farmer’s market

Gleaning, Deliveries, and Receiving

• Collaboratively facilitate on-farm/orchard gleaning trips (4-8 per month) – location varies around greater Twin Cities region
• Assist in leading volunteers on farms, modeling good agricultural practices, food safety/sanitation and following host farm safety plans and rules
• Assist Volunteer Coordinator in gleaning event preparation, receiving, inspecting, and grading inbound deliveries of donated produce for delivery to agency partners

Support Volunteer Programming

• Collaborate with program coordinators to facilitate on-site packing of food for food shelves and affordable grocery programming as needed
• Assist with volunteer project planning and other duties as assigned

Position Requirements

Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities

• Must be able to work effectively with partners who are significantly diverse with respect to age, race, ethnicity, gender orientation, socio-economic status, nationality, and religion
• Must be able to work effectively in an organization that has recognized its own issues related to equity and is seeking to be more representative of the community

• Excellent interpersonal skills including verbal and written communication across various cultures
• Excellent organizational and planning skills
• Ability to work independently and prioritize responsibilities
• Interest in sustainable agriculture

• Basic understanding of post-harvest handling and food safety

• Comfort identifying and harvesting most in-season local produce
• Excellent volunteer leadership and coordination skills
• Adaptability to changing circumstances
• Ability to work well in a team setting

Minimum Education and Experience

• Experience in non-profit work and working with volunteers a plus

Physical Demands

• Ability to work extended hours outdoors in all weather, bending and lifting 50 pounds repeatedly
• Must have the ability to both sit and stand for long periods of time and utilize various farm and office equipment on a continual basis. Ability to train on warehouse equipment

Licenses and/or Certifications

Working Conditions and Environment

This position is based out of the New Hope office but is highly mobile. Flexibility is required, as this job takes place at a variety of locations during the week including the Minneapolis Farmers Market (on Sundays), on-site at regional farms (Tuesdays, Thursdays) and at The Food Group warehouse. The hours may vary between 7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Hours will be flexible with the general guideline of 7:30-3:30pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and 10am-4pm on Sundays. Due to the nature of produce reclamation, the amount of produce varies every week so the workload will vary with it. Mileage is reimbursable when personal vehicles are used, although travel will primarily be by company vehicles.

All employees must be able to work effectively in a mission-driven agency whose clients and staff exhibit significant diversity with respect to race, ethnicity, gender orientation, socio-economic status, nationality, and religion.

Organization Overview

The Food Group (TFG) is a local food equity nonprofit. For more than 45 years we have worked to provide nutritious food to those who need it most in our community. We work at the intersection of food access, equity, and nutrition issues related to food and hunger in Minnesota. We work across the food system and our programs include hunger relief, affordable grocery, and a land-based education farm. Hunger Solutions MN operates as the advocacy branch of The Food Group.

Our culture and environment can be described as high-trust, cooperative, collaborative, open, and fun. We are team of approximately 60 people with three locations in New Hope, St. Paul, and Marine on St. Croix.

We are a workplace that is full of people who genuinely appreciate each other and work best when tackling big ideas as a team. We value individuals who bring their life experiences to their work, knowing that the ways that they have experienced racial, economic, or gender injustice drive their passion to create change. We are a team of passionate, dedicated people who work alongside each other.

Equity is fundamental to our mission to fight hunger and nourish our community. Where we live, how much money we make, or the color of our skin currently influences access to healthy and culturally connected foods. We must address the roots of these inequities so everyone in our community has the opportunity to live their best life. We believe in working with our community and organizations to improve food access and make systemic changes. To do so, equity is a part of all aspects of our work. We invite individuals from different abilities, ethnicities, genders, races, religions, sexual orientations, and socioeconomic backgrounds to take part in and shape the work in the community.

People of Color and LGBTQ people are strongly encouraged to apply. The Food Group is an equal opportunity employer.