Greenmarket Wholesale Community Outreach Coordinator (WCOC)

GrowNYC and the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) have partnered to advance one of the most important elements in building a robust regional food system in the New York region: establishing a Wholesale Farmers' Market in the Hunts Point section of the South Bronx. Building this new "food hub" would greatly increase New Yorkers' access to fresh, healthy, locally and sustainably-produced food and help address access issues in the Hunts Point community and beyond.

Position Overview:

Reporting to GrowNYC's Food Hub Project Manager, the WCOC will create an outreach plan that will coordinate events and act as a link between underserved neighborhoods and local food access initiatives in their communities. Working with GrowNYC Food Hub team and other GrowNYC staff, the WCOC will coordinate administrative needs for GrowNYC's access programs, such as staffing, organization of volunteers, community outreach, and promoting and organizing local food events. The WCOC can also serve as a link between underserved communities and non-profits making efforts to bring more local, healthy food to low-income communities.

Responsibilities:

Specific responsibilities include:

• With a focus on Hunts Point, meet with local businesses and organizations to discuss the benefits of the proposed Wholesale Farmers Market, understand their current food buying needs and connect them to existing supply chains.
• Work closely with GrowNYC's food hub team to help community based organizations, non-profits, community retail outlets and hunger organizations source local produce.
• Advise NRDC and GrowNYC's policy staff on hurdles faced in building value chain distribution models in low income communities.
• Develop, expand and implement new/innovative distribution models for local produce in underserved communities.
• Educate and promote the concept of a Wholesale Farmers Market to community leaders and elected officials.
• Facilitate and oversee events, e.g., harvest buy-a-bag promotions
• Create reports, presentations and tracking mechanisms as needed.

Qualifications:

Requirements include:

• Strong knowledge and appreciation of local food and farming issues.
• Ability to communicate effectively with diverse groups, problem solve and organize groups toward a goal.
• Stellar written and oral communication, team-building and leadership skills.
• Flexibility and willingness to occupy a position that grows and changes with the program and organization.
• Ability to work some flexible hours including very early mornings, evenings and weekends.
• Valid driver's license and clean driving record.
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office Suite.
• Fluent in Spanish strongly preferred.

Compensation: $37,000 plus benefits

This position is funded for one year by a generous grant from The New York Community Trust. For additional information, please see our website at GrowNYC.

To Apply:

To apply, please submit cover letter, resume, and 3 references to Monique Rodriguez by August 15th. Please write Wholesale Community Outreach Coordinator in the subject line.

GrowNYC is an Affirmative Action Equal Opportunity Employer and hires without regard to race, gender, religion, age, sexual orientation or physical disability.