Assistant Director of Food Access

About us:

The Hand, Heart, and Soul Project (HHSP) promote healthy habits for our earliest learners in Clayton County. We provide children and families access to nutrient-dense foods and we develop holistic programs focused on health, wellness, education, and nutrition. Our mission is to nurture, celebrate, and advance the needs of the people we serve by creating equitable access to quality educational, nutritional, and community resources.

Hand, Heart, and Soul Project's work is highly interdisciplinary. It sits at the intersection of education, health, wellness, and advocacy while ensuring those most affected by the policy are in decision-making spaces. Our model is one of collective impact that focuses on cross-collaboration which aligns community members, leaders, organizations, and institutions to go beyond sustainable solutions, but thriving and meaningful solutions.

About the role:

The Assistant Director of Food Access oversees food access and the implementation of farm stands, mobile markets, community events, and community gardens at sites and throughout communities. The Assistant Director supports the operation of these gardens at schools, early learning centers, and throughout the community and seeks the implementation and access to additional land for growing food. Procurement with local farmers for farm stand sales and other programming is also essential. This position is familiar with the cooking program, which is a SnapEd-approved curriculum. The Assistant Director works collaboratively with the other HHSP staff members to create and implement programming and works with the staff of early childcare centers to ensure that programs are fully integrated. The position reports to the Chief of Staff, and serves on the leadership team with other Assistant Directors. The Assistant Director will also fully implement and lead all aspects of the Unity Farm Stand Market, including marketing, farm stand coordination and day of operations, and collaborating with partner and host sites.

Mobile Market Implementation & Activation (25%)

• Lead the development and operational launch of the Mobile Market Unit, ensuring smooth deployment, logistics, and impact tracking.
• Oversee scheduling, route planning, and coordination with partner sites to expand fresh food access across target communities.
• Train and manage staff and volunteers in mobile market operations, food handling, and customer engagement.
• Develop and implement marketing strategies to increase community awareness and participation.
• Monitor inventory, sourcing fresh produce from local farms, community gardens, and partner organizations.
• Ensure compliance with health, safety, and food regulations, including SNAP/EBT and other food assistance programs.
• Develop Mobile Market Financial Model
• Develop design for the Mobile Market based on existing models, which includes refrigeration, storage, and display
• Identify Mobile Market “stops” and key partnerships
• Develop Mobile Market promotional marketing plan through community focus groups and stakeholder interviews
• Develop Mobile Market Operational Plan
• Design promotional assets to market the Mobile Market to the target community
• Identification of food products to be sold and vendors
• Develop simple evaluation tools
• Train 10 HHSP staff on Mobile Market operations, best practices, and evaluation tools.

Garden Planning & Organization (20%)

• Oversee community and educational gardens, ensuring proper maintenance, crop planning, and seasonal preparation.
• Work closely with community members, volunteers, and youth programs to provide hands-on learning experiences.
• Develop garden-based educational workshops and support integration of fresh produce into HHSP’s food distribution programs.
• Strengthen partnerships with local farmers, food cooperatives, and sustainable agriculture initiatives.

Event Planning & The Gathering Coordination (15%)

• Plan and oversee The Gathering, ensuring it serves as a meaningful space for community engagement, connection, and resource-sharing.
• Develop and manage logistics for HHSP-hosted food access events, community pop-ups, and educational workshops.
• Coordinate with partners, vendors, and volunteers to ensure seamless event execution.
• Develop promotional strategies and materials to maximize community participation.
• Track event impact and incorporate community feedback for continuous improvement.

Policy for Food Access (10%)

• Support HHSP’s policy, systems and environmental efforts, focusing on food access, and systemic changes to improve nutrition security.
• Research and track local, state, and federal food policies that impact HHSP’s initiatives.
• Assist in writing policy briefs, public statements, and materials to educate community members and decision-makers.
• Represent HHSP at policy forums, community hearings, and meetings.

Community Engagement & Program Development (10%)

• Support relationships with community members, local organizations, and policy leaders to show support for systemic change.
• Support data collection, impact reporting, and efforts to expand food access programs.
• Collaborate with HHSP leadership to develop long-term strategies for food access, economic sustainability, and program growth.
• Represent HHSP at community events, policy discussions, and food system convenings.

Delivery of on-site direct education services w/ direct reports (20%)

• Ensure collaboration with leadership with deliverables surrounding growing food
• As needed, deliver on-site direct and indirect education services, garden and cooking classes, taste tests, and nutrition education
• Oversee direct reports of community organizing, including formulating work plans
• Develop and facilitate classes and community workshops
• Oversee food distributions, in collaboration with team members
• Support and sometimes lead community events
• When applicable, serve as a lead on USDA grants for coordination on deliverables with team
• Oversee and expand mobile and pop up market to other ECE sites and schools
• Ensure gardens are maintained in collaboration with direct reports.
• Increase attendance at all farm stands and EBT sale transactions through Unity Farm Stand
• Conduct regular evaluations to assess program effectiveness and identify areas for improvement.
• Attend designated community meetings
• Attend all meetings as scheduled by the Jonesboro Community Garden liaison including garden clean ups and monthly meeting
• Unity Farm Stand and Market maintains a presence at the Jonesboro Farmers Market during market season.
• Support education programs for individuals and families eligible for SNAP benefits.
• Assist with State/Regional Management Evaluation reviews and audits.
• Integrate food access initiatives into existing programs and services throughout Clayton including access to healthier food through food distributions, working in partnership with team members
• Ensure timely submission of necessary reports
• Support garden events and activities, including community Farm Stands and food distribution, and special events as needed.
• Participate in HHSP staff meetings, staff development days, and program development meetings for all events.
• Accurately track programming information in online databases on a weekly basis
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:

• Passion for community-driven solutions and food systems.
• Experience in food access programs, farmers’ markets, or mobile market operations.
• Knowledge of urban agriculture, garden management, and farm-to-community distribution.
• Strong organizational and leadership skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects and events.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building abilities.
• Understanding of food policy and the legislative process.
• Event planning experience, including logistics, promotion, and community engagement.
• Experience with food assistance programs (SNAP/EBT, WIC, etc.) preferred.Ability to work in community settings and adapt to evolving needs.
• Prior gardening or cooking experience is preferred.
• Valid driver’s license with the ability to drive a mobile market vehicle.
• Prior teaching experience required.
• Technology savvy, proficient in Google Workspace, database entry, apps, Microsoft Office
• Collaborative and committed to working in a small team environment.
• Organized, energetic, and flexible.
• Ability to work with frequent interruption and to simultaneously supervise a variety of tasks.
• Ability to stand, stoop, reach and bend. Mobility of arms to reach and dexterity of hands to grasp and manipulate large and small objects.
• Ability to stand for long periods.
• Ability to lift, push, and/or pull objects which may be approximately 50 pounds.
• Ability to work with and in the proximity of equipment with moving mechanical parts.
• Ability to work outdoors and tolerate varying weather conditions.
• Willingness to smell, taste, and feel, to determine the quality of raw food products.
• May be required to work around loud noise.

Education and Work Experience

• Prior teaching and leadership experience preferred.

Salary - $58,656

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $56,962.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift

Ability to Commute:

• Jonesboro, GA 30236 (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Jonesboro, GA 30236: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $56,962 - $58,656