Hiring: Food Access Coordinator/ Mobile Market Manager – Atlas Farm

Food Access Coordinator/ Mobile Market Manager
Atlas Farm, Deerfield, MA

The Food Access Coordinator is responsible for the development and operation of the Atlas Farm Mobile Market (“Mercado en Movimiento”). Atlas Farm is a 100-acre certified organic, diversified vegetable farm with its roots in the fertile soil of the Connecticut River Valley. The farm has a region-wide reputation for top-quality organic produce, which is sold at the Atlas Farm Store, at local and mobile farmers markets, and to wholesale customers throughout New England.

Atlas’ farmers market department shifted its focus into food access efforts in underserved parts of the Pioneer Valley in 2019. Thanks to a generous grant from the Massachusetts Food Trust, the Atlas Farm Mobile Market debuted its first schedule in June, 2022. The goal of the program is to provide fresh, seasonal produce at accessible prices in communities facing systemic and socioeconomic barriers to healthy food. This season, the Mobile Market bus visited three locations in Holyoke and two locations in Greenfield, stopping at each site twice per week. This first season has demonstrated a worthwhile concept, with steadily increasing sales, excellent community feedback, and reliable customer retention.
The 2023 Mobile Market season is projected to double its reach. We are seeking a motivated individual to plan, coordinate, and oversee the Mobile Market food access program. The Food Access Coordinator position will require experience and ambition in the local food system and with food justice efforts. The job is ideal for someone pursuing a career in food, nutrition, customer-relations, social entrepreneurship, and public health.

The Food Access Coordinator will manage market preparation, schedule, travel and logistics, staff training and management, on-site processes, inventory and inventory reporting, customer/vendor communications, and community outreach. They will work closely with the Atlas Farm Retail Harvest Coordinator to maintain weekly produce inventory and with the Administrative Assistant to maintain detailed and accurate financial records. They will also actively collaborate with community organizations and government agencies that have shared food access interests. Excellent communication in English and proficiency in Spanish is desired for this position.

Skills & experience:
• Ability to communicate cordially, professionally, and effectively with the public • Previous work in project development and management • Staff management and training experience • Basic office computing skills (Microsoft office/excel, Google suite) • Effective and clear interpersonal skills, both verbally and in writing • Passion for food access and a commitment to building an equitable food system • Understanding of institutional and structural racism and bias, and their impact on underserved and underrepresented communities • A flexible and solutions-oriented approach to challenges • Valid driver’s license and clean driving record • Capacity to create basic but aesthetically appealing outreach content using Canva, Google Suite, Microsoft, and/or Adobe programs is a plus • Bachelor’s degree with coursework in sustainable agriculture, public policy, nutrition, and/or business is a plus • Understanding of local fruit and vegetable varieties and their seasonality (or a desire to learn) • Proficiency in Spanish is a plus

Duties & Responsibilities: Manage back end operations of the Mobile Farmers’ Market • Supervise and implement daily market operations by providing support to the market assistants/clerks. • Develop and support partnerships with community groups to strengthen the reach and impact of the program • Communicate with partner organizations with weekly updates about new products and any other important bulletins • Maintain strong relationships with other local farmers, sourcing non-Atlas produce for market routes on a weekly basis • Organize logistics for non-Atlas produce deliveries • Create price signs and other informational posters for display • Train and oversee part-time market assistants/clerks (each independently operating 1-2 market routes each week) • Communicate with the Retail Harvest Manager to maintain fresh Atlas Farm produce inventory for all market routes • Correspond with the Administrative Assistant regarding weekly sales and other clerical details • The Food Access Coordinator may or may not run the market as a clerk, depending on the candidate’s interests. Work with other community organizations and government agencies that share similar food access goals • Maintain clear communication with new and existing partner organizations, including municipal housing authorities, local nonprofits, other small farms, and grassroots community organizations • Organize an annual meeting with all partner organizations to provide updates and define mutual objectives • Attend local and regional meetings and conferences regarding food access, food stamp programs, and retail produce standards • Seek funding opportunities and other useful resources that could support the Mobile Market’s mission • Create and deliver customer surveys on an annual basis with the help of partner organizations

Hours & Schedule 20-40 hours per week with seasonal variation Part time or full time depending on the scope of the project and additional staffing

Compensation: Competitive hourly wage commensurate with experience, plus unlimited farm produce ($17-$20+ per hour, DOE)

How to apply: Please send cover letter and resume to farmersmarkets@atlasfarm.com