Mobile Farmers Market Assistant

~ Real Food Farm is Civic Works' innovative urban agricultural enterprise engaged in growing fresh produce on eight acres of land in and around Clifton Park in northeast Baltimore. ~

Real Food Farm distributes its produce throughout the city via farmers' markets, city-supported agriculture programs, and Mobile Farmers Market, which is the primary tool we use to bring fresh produce to our neighbors in the Clifton neighborhoods. 

Position Overview 

This year is the 4th operating season for the Mobile Farmers Market, and we're looking for an enthusiastic individual to help us finish successful 2015 market season.

This position requires 30 hours per week on average from September through December. However, the nature of the Mobile Farmers Market requires long days when market stops and home deliveries are scheduled, so daily hours will vary. 

General Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the Community Market & Outreach Coordinator, the Mobile Farmers Market Assistant will work in tandem with a partner Assistant in managing all aspects of Mobile Farmers Market programming such as scheduling, promotion, and execution.

The Mobile Farmers Market team will engage with organizational partners and community members daily and will serve as the representatives of Real Food Farm when making market stops and home deliveries. The Mobile Farmers Market team is responsible for tracking all market sales and related data and will assist with Real Food Farm's City Supported Agriculture share distribution. 

Primary responsibilities include: 

• Drive Mobile Farmers Market truck to scheduled stops and home deliveries;
• Manage customers sales and track sales data at market stops and home deliveries;
• Manage customers transactions at Lake Montebello CSA pick-up;
• With support from the Community Market & Outreach Coordinator, work with partners and community members to schedule stops/home deliveries and to promote markets;
• With support from the Community Market & Outreach Coordinator, communicate with partners about available produce and pricing on weekly basis; and
• Participate in general production activities on farm as needed.  

Training and Benefits 

Mobile Farmers Market Assistants will gain extensive first-hand knowledge of food retail, nutrition, and sustainable farming practices via: 

• Daily management of Mobile Farmers Market stops and home deliveries;
• Hands-on trainings both on-market and on-farm; access to webinars and library materials;
• Visits to other urban and rural farms in the region; and
• Regular evaluation to track skills and knowledge progress and provide feedback to the Community Market & Outreach Coordinator.

Note: All Real Food Farm team members have access to surplus produce on a regular basis, including a weekly member produce share during the summer/fall months. 

Qualifications 

• Candidate must have driver's license and experience driving in city traffic. Only candidates with a safe driving record will be considered.
• Candidate must be able to lift 40 lbs and be comfortable completing tasks outside under varying weather conditions. Experience in customer relations and organic vegetable production desired.
• Computer proficiency, business and marketing experience, and nutritional and/or cooking knowledge are also a plus.
• In order to be a Civic Works AmeriCorps member, you must be: at least 17 years old; a U.S. Citizen, U.S. National, or lawful permanent resident; and able to pass a drug test and sex offender registry check.

Compensation and Terms of Employment 

• This position is a 450-hour Civic Works AmeriCorps term.
• All AmeriCorps positions consist of a modest biweekly stipend, skills training, and education award upon completion of service.
• As AmeriCorps, the Mobile Farmers Market Assistant is prohibited to participate in the following activities as part of his/her service: political advocacy, religious instruction, abortion referrals, clerical service, and fundraising. 

To Apply 

Please use the email address below to send a cover letter and a resume. Or mail to: 

Shelley Brosius c/o Real Food Farm
2445 E 32nd St.
Baltimore, MD
21218 

• Be sure to type ‘Mobile Farmers Market Assistant' as the subject line.
• Direct questions to Shelley via email or by phone.
• Applications will be accepted through August 16th, but we will be interviewing applicants on a rolling basis for an anticipated early September start date.