Harvest Kitchen Program Support

Position Summary:

Farm Fresh Rhode Island seeks an outgoing and energetic youth culinary-based education trainer and program support with demonstrated initiative and clear organizational and communication skills to build capacity for the Farm Fresh RI Harvest Kitchen program. Harvest Kitchen is a 20-week culinary and job-readiness training program for youth within the Department of Children Youth and Families (DCYF). The youth create a line of high-quality preserved foods using ingredients sourced from local farms, while building a stable foundation to maintain employment beyond their time with Harvest Kitchen. This position offers a unique opportunity to support existing trainees through curriculum enhancement and evaluation, develop partnerships with local social service agencies, prepare high-quality food for the cafe and catered events, and assist Harvest Kitchen program staff in referring and supporting youth trainees to additional programs beyond the Harvest Kitchen program.

Harvest Kitchen (HK) is part of Farm Fresh Rhode Island's initiative to increase the variety of value-added local farm products available, and part of the Farm Fresh RI mission to create a community-based food system. Started in 2010, Harvest Kitchen covers multiple facets of programming, including a 20-week culinary and job-readiness training program for youth that are involved with the RI Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF); and a sister production/training program that operates within the Rhode Island Training School. All products created by Harvest Kitchen use ingredients sourced from local farms. The program focuses on empowering youth to understand how their activities connect to the local food system while gaining the necessary skills and experiences to be able to pursue their personal and professional goals.

This role demands an ability to stay organized and readily jump back and forth between diverse task areas. Key position responsibilities will include maintaining positive relationships with customers, working with the Assistant Director of Marketing, posting and updating Harvest Kitchen social media, assistance in management of the Harvest Kitchen Cafe, clear and responsive communication with the Harvest Kitchen Program Director either in person or via phone/text/email, management and maintenance of the HK Point of Sale system. Successful candidates will have a passion for the local food system, the drive to help opportunity youth, be highly motivated, and be able to work autonomously with integrity, attention to detail, and enthusiasm.

Primary Responsibilities:

• In collaboration with the Associate Director of Marketing, assist with social media efforts by taking photos of the cafe, class, etc and uploading them to the HK photo library and Instagram and Facebook accounts
• Work with the HK Program Director to develop engaging activities, both inside the kitchen and out, with the goal of deepening the experiential learning opportunities for the students.
• Scheduling and management of catered events, response to event inquiries, and updating calendar notifications for HK staff regarding catering services and events.

Cafe and Training Support

• Assist in managing the HK Cafe, making sure POS systems are up to date, opening and/or closing the register.
• Support the development of Harvest Kitchen trainees in retail sales functions including customer service, merchandising, and cash handling.
• Seek opportunities for collaboration between HK trainees and outside organization programs and services.
• Classroom teaching assistance and training support.
• With the support of the HK Director, assist in refining existing Harvest Kitchen training curriculum to deepen activities around food security, farming, and community economic development.
• Assist in daily activities at Harvest Kitchen including basic preparation of food for the cafe and catered events, production of jarred products, and soft skill development with the trainees.
• Assist in cultivating relationships with new and existing internship sites.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $22.00 per hour

Expected hours: No more than 40 per week

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Paid time off

Shift:

• Day shift
• Evening shift
• Morning shift

Ability to Commute:

• Pawtucket, RI 02860 (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $22