Function: As part of the Community Food Bank’s Community Development Team, this position works in partnership with gardeners and growers to continue development of the Abundant Harvest Cooperative (AHC). This position focuses on building network capacity and developing processes for shared decision-making in order to support self-determination, access to economic opportunities, and access to healthy food in line with CFB’s mission to alleviate hunger and promote community health.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Capacity Building and Cooperative Development

• Support ongoing development of AHC and its membership in the spirit of collective well-being, self-determination, and permaculture ethics (people care, earth care, fair share).
• Convene growers for shared-decision making on relevant AHC business, including price list, packaging requirements, crop-planning, and sales opportunities.
• Visit member growers and work with them to identify opportunities, coordinate and convene grower-led trainings and skill-sharing.
• Develop and lead process for transitioning management of AHC’s shared table at the farmers’ market to member growers as market resumes a normal operating model.
• Train member leaders to oversee Abundant Harvest product drop-off and sales at market, and provide ongoing support and back-up as needed.
• Deliver program onboarding orientation to all new members and communicate with member growers about leadership opportunities, as well as AHC operating procedures, food safety and quality standards, and drop-off and payment processes.

Program Coordination

• Oversee AHC sales at market and wholesale outlets and assist with on-site coordination of the farmers’ market as needed.
• Coordinate the policies, guidelines, and payments for the Abundant Harvest Cooperative of gardeners and growers. This includes developing and implementing participation criteria, decision-making processes, tracking procedures, record-keeping methods, and issuing weekly payments.
• Ensure that all Abundant Harvest network products are handled and stored per all relevant food safety standards, and with principles of transparency and fairness.
• Maintain Arizona Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (AZFMNP) Approved Grower status of Abundant Harvest network and/or network members to enable low-income women, children, and seniors to access community foods with public assistance funds.
• Assist with the oversight and training of volunteers in the Abundant Harvest Cooperative.

Partner and Network Development

• Coordinate with the Community Development and other CFB staff teams to build partner knowledge, connections, and opportunities for collaboration.
• Support the integration of existing local food systems initiatives and strengthen ties between the Farmers’ Market, Las Milpitas Community Farm, and the Farm-to-Institution initiative.

General

• Document procedures related to key job duties to contribute to program infrastructure.
• Work collaboratively with the Community Development team to accomplish program goals.
• Contribute to the overall program vision development and actively seek out innovative ideas for future planning.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Minimum Qualifications

• At least two-years’ experience in community education and development, preferably in low-income communities or with different cultures.
• At least two years’ experience working in organic agriculture, sustainable food systems, and/or farmers’ markets.
• Proficiency in Word, Excel, Office, and internet-based communications
• A good driving record and a current valid Arizona driver’s license (required)

Preferred Qualifications

• Bilingual – Spanish/English (preferred)

Capabilities

• Ability to working respectfully in an environment that values and respects differences of race, ethnicity, age, gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, religion, ability and socio-economic circumstances.
• Openness to change, ability to solve problems and manage complexities.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and team-building skills.
• Experience in facilitation and/or leading participatory processes.
• Ability to work effectively with little supervision.
• Ability to work outside in all seasons.