Food Works is seeking a Mobile Farmers Market Assistant to help with the operation of the Food Works Mobile Farmers Market. The Farmers Market Assistant will help the Market Manager with the day-to-day operations. The ideal candidate will have a strong interest in improving access to healthy, fresh foods in underserved communities and strengthening the local food and farming economy of Southern Illinois.
About the Food Works Mobile Farmers Market:
The Food Works Mobile Farmers Market is a farmer's market on wheels. The market vehicle is a 16 foot box truck on the axle of a Ford 350 that transports food and acts as a safe conduit for people to access healthy food. The vehicle houses storage for fresh foods, cold and refrigeration space, as well as a sink and displays. The purpose of the Mobile Market is twofold: To connect food insecure families and individuals in underserved areas within the southern 23 counties of Illinois with fresh food, and help local farms reach more customers in more locations across Southern Illinois.
About Food Works:
The Mobile Farmers Market is a program of Food Works. Food Works is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to creating a sustainable food economy in Southern Illinois. Through farmer training and consumer education, Food Works promotes long-term farming networks that create healthy soils, healthy food, and healthy communities in the 23 counties that make up Southern Illinois.
Position Responsibilities:
● Operating the mobile market at designated locations throughout Southern Illinois, including set up, tear down, managing inventory, creating and stocking displays, and driving the vehicle to and from market locations.
● Availability to occasionally assist with special events and other programming, such as food giveaways and school visits
● Overseeing interns as part of mobile market daily operations
● Ensure safe food storage, handling and quality control
● Manage inventory and maintain accurate records
● Maintain checklists and procedures for operation of the market
● Track sales in all forms (cash, credit/debit, SNAP/LINK and Link Match), and distribute payments to farmers for goods sold
● Keep up to date records on market sales, vendors, customer attendance, etc.
● Communicate with customers in a friendly manner
● Capture the activities of the market through photographs for use in marketing materials
● Be an ambassador for Food Works and the Mobile Farmers Market, for the importance of access in the community to foods that are healthy, fresh, and locally sourced.
● Must be able to lift 40 lbs and able to repeat physical tasks including lifting items into the trucks and moving items from storage to the vehicles
What experience and skills you will bring:
● Strong “people skills”, a passion for working in the community, and a commitment to improving access to healthy food in Southern Illinois.
● Knowledge of farmers markets, food safety, and local food marketing.
● Demonstrated interest in local food and farming systems (farmers markets, food businesses, farming, food access, volunteering, etc.).
● Knowledge of types of farming practices (ie, Certified Organic, Certified Naturally Grown, sustainable, regenerative… ), as well as the strengths and challenges of sourcing from small scale farmers.
● Strong communication skills and listening skills. Ability to work with diverse audiences with a friendly, welcoming and respectful attitude. Spanish language abilities are a plus.
● Ability to use (or willingness to learn) the following platforms: Dropbox, Google Drive (Gmail, Docs, Sheets, Slides), Canva, Mailchimp, Microsoft Office (Word, Excel), POS system, and others as necessary.
● Ability to drive a 16 foot box truck, or willingness to learn. A Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) is not required to operate the vehicle. Food Works will provide driving education for all staff involved with the operation of the vehicle.
● Reliable transportation to Food Works’s facilities in Carbondale, IL.
● Demonstrated ability to think creatively and effectively problem-solve in a fast paced environment.
● Strong organizational skills, and the ability to precisely track inventory, sales, and budgets.
Candidates who do not have all the experience listed above are encouraged to apply. This is a part time position (8-16 hours per week). This seasonal position will begin at the end of May and will continue through October. Resumes will be reviewed immediately. Compensation is $15 per hour. Must be available at least one of the following days: Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.
This position reports to the Food Works Mobile Market Manager. Food Works is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), gender identity, national origin, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, age, or other non-merit factor.
About Food Works/Mobile Market:
Food Works is a non-profit organization dedicated to increasing food access and supporting our local farmers through various programs including our Mobile Farmers Market. The Mobile Market is a farmers market on wheels, connecting communities across Southern Illinois with locally grown, seasonal food. We are looking for a passionate and dedicated Community Advocate to help us engage with the communities we serve.
Position Overview:
The Community Advocate will play a crucial role in promoting the Mobile Farmers Market Program by distributing flyers in designated communities and participating in community events. The advocate will ensure maximum outreach and engagement, helping to increase awareness and participation in our program.
Scope of Work:
Flyering and Community Engagement:
● Distribute flyers in designated communities to promote the Mobile Farmers Market Program. The communities we currently serve are within Jackson, Union, and Williamson County.
● Ensure flyers are placed in high-visibility locations and handed out to community members.
● Have conversations with the members of the community to promote the Mobile Farmers Market Program. This may include going to places of worship, schools, businesses, community events, etc.
● Encouraged to attend the first market in each of the communities assigned to you to get a feel for the program.
● If schedule allows, be present and perform community outreach during market hours for each location.
Participation in Community Events:
● Promote the Mobile Farmers Market Program by providing information and answering questions
● Actively participate in event activities to enhance community interaction and interest
Qualifications:
● Strong communication and interpersonal skills
● Ability to engage and interact effectively with diverse community members
● Reliable and self-motivated with the ability to work independently
● Previous experience in community outreach or advocacy is a plus
Responsibilities of Food Works:
● Provide the Community Advocate with necessary flyers and promotional materials
● Specify the target communities for flyering and provide guidance for events
● Ensure timely payment of the agreed compensation upon completion of the tasks
Confidentiality:
● The Community Advocate agrees to maintain the confidentiality of any proprietary or sensitive information obtained during the course of their work.
Termination:
● This position may be terminated at any time by either party with written notice to the other party.
Location: Various communities served by the Food Works Mobile Market Program within
Jackson, Union or Williamson County.
Compensation: $300 for an estimated 20 hours of work
This position reports to the Food Works Mobile Market Manager. Food Works is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), gender identity, national origin, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, age, or other non-merit factor.
This position will begin immediately.
About Food Works/Mobile Market:
Food Works is a non-profit organization dedicated to increasing food access and supporting our local farmers through various programs including our Mobile Farmers Market. The Mobile Market is a farmers market on wheels, connecting communities across Southern Illinois with locally grown, seasonal food. We are looking for a passionate and dedicated Community Advocate to help us engage with the communities we serve.
Position Overview:
The Community Advocate will play a crucial role in promoting the Mobile Farmers Market Program by distributing flyers in designated communities and participating in community events. The advocate will ensure maximum outreach and engagement, helping to increase awareness and participation in our program.
Scope of Work:
Flyering and Community Engagement:
● Distribute flyers in designated communities to promote the Mobile Farmers Market Program. The communities we currently serve are within Jackson, Union, and Williamson County.
● Ensure flyers are placed in high-visibility locations and handed out to community members.
● Have conversations with the members of the community to promote the Mobile Farmers Market Program. This may include going to places of worship, schools, businesses, community events, etc.
● Encouraged to attend the first market in each of the communities assigned to you to get a feel for the program.
● If schedule allows, be present and perform community outreach during market hours for each location.
Participation in Community Events:
● Promote the Mobile Farmers Market Program by providing information and answering questions
● Actively participate in event activities to enhance community interaction and interest
Qualifications:
● Strong communication and interpersonal skills
● Ability to engage and interact effectively with diverse community members
● Reliable and self-motivated with the ability to work independently
● Previous experience in community outreach or advocacy is a plus
Responsibilities of Food Works:
● Provide the Community Advocate with necessary flyers and promotional materials
● Specify the target communities for flyering and provide guidance for events
● Ensure timely payment of the agreed compensation upon completion of the tasks
Confidentiality:
● The Community Advocate agrees to maintain the confidentiality of any proprietary or sensitive information obtained during the course of their work.
Termination:
● This position may be terminated at any time by either party with written notice to the other party.
Location: Various communities served by the Food Works Mobile Market Program within
Jackson, Union or Williamson County.
Compensation: $300 for an estimated 20 hours of work
This position reports to the Food Works Mobile Market Manager. Food Works is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), gender identity, national origin, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, age, or other non-merit factor.
This position will begin immediately.
Food Works is seeking a Mobile Farmers Market Intern to help with the operation of the Food Works Mobile Farmers Market.
The Farmers Market Intern will help the Truck Coordinators and Market Manager with the day-to-day operations, as well as on occasion special events. The ideal candidate will have a strong interest in improving access to healthy, fresh foods in underserved communities and strengthening the local food and farming economy of Southern Illinois.
About the Food Works Mobile Farmers Market:
The Food Works Mobile Farmers Market is a farmer's market on wheels. The market vehicle is a 16 foot box truck on the axle of a Ford 350 that transports food and acts as a safe conduit for people to access healthy food. The vehicle houses storage for fresh foods, cold and refrigeration space, as well as a sink and displays. The purpose of the Mobile Market is twofold: To connect food insecure families and individuals in underserved areas within the southern 23 counties of Illinois with fresh food, and help local farms reach more customers in more locations across Southern Illinois.
About Food Works:
The Mobile Farmers Market is a program of Food Works. Food Works is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to creating a sustainable food economy in Southern Illinois. Through farmer training and consumer education, Food Works promotes long-term farming networks that create healthy soils, healthy food, and healthy communities in the 23 counties that make up Southern Illinois.
Position Responsibilities:
● Assist the manager and truck coordinator at mobile farmers market locations throughout Southern Illinois, including set up, tear down, managing inventory, and creating/stocking displays.
● Assist with special events and other programming, such as cooking demonstrations, food giveaways and school visits etc.
● Ensure safe food storage, handling and quality control. Help manage inventory and maintain accurate records
● Help maintain checklists and procedures for operation of the market.
● Assist with keeping up to date records on market sales, vendors, customer attendance, etc.
● Communicate with customers in a friendly manner.
● Be an ambassador for Food Works and the Mobile Farmers Market, for the importance of access in the community to foods that are healthy, fresh, and locally sourced.
● Must be able to lift 40 lbs and able to repeat physical tasks including lifting items into the trucks and moving items from storage to the vehicles.
What experience and skills you will bring:
● Strong “people skills”, a passion for working in the community, and a commitment to improving access to healthy food in Southern Illinois.
● Willingness to learn about farmers markets, food safety, and local food marketing.
● Demonstrated excitement in local food and farming systems (farmers markets, food businesses, farming, food access, volunteering, etc.).
● Willingness to learn about types of farming practices (ie, Certified Organic, Certified Naturally Grown, sustainable, regenerative... ), as well as the strengths and challenges of sourcing from small scale farmers.
● Strong communication skills and listening skills. Ability to work with diverse audiences with a friendly, welcoming and respectful attitude.
● Reliable transportation to Food Works’s facilities in Carbondale, IL and areas throughout southern Illinois.
Candidates who do not have all the experience listed above are still encouraged to apply. This is a part time position (10-15 hours per week). The internship will provide a stipend of $1500/season (June - August). This position reports to the Food Works Mobile Market Manager.
Food Works is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), gender identity, national origin, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, age, or other non-merit factor.
This position will begin late May - August. Resumes will be reviewed immediately.
