Reports to: Director of Intercultural Learning & Land-Based Programs
Basic function: Support safe and successful implementation of weekly gleans in each of the three counties Rachel’s Table serves
Compensation: $22/hour + mileage reimbursement at Federal rate
Position Type: Seasonal consultant from July 1 through December 31, 2023; in-person and remote
Schedule & Hours:
- Average of 10-12 hours/week August through November and 5-7 hours/week in July and
- December (up to 275 total hours July 1 – December 31, 2023)
- Gleans occur on Sundays and Mondays, otherwise work schedule is flexible
- Approximately 40% of time will be spent at gleans or delivering produce and 60% of time will be spent on other gleaning-related duties and projects.
To apply, email Chana Laila at claila@feedwma.org:
- A resume or brief narrative history of relevant experience;
- A cover letter or video explaining your interest and why you’d be a good fit for the position;
- Name, email address, and phone number for three references
Deadline to Apply: Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.
ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES
- Attend at least one glean per week from August through mid-November (county will vary from week to week) to provide assistive leadership to and/or sub for volunteer Glean Team leaders and/or to deliver produce;
- Foster a spirit of learning and community during gleans, including occasionally facilitating educational content;
- Monitor safety of participants and compliance with farmers’ rules and requests at gleans;
- Promote adherence to administrative procedures (e.g. online registration system, waivers and media consent, poundage data input) by volunteer Glean Team leaders;
- Fill logistical gaps, for example coordinate delivery from gleans to local agencies when needed;
- Support effective communication between Rachel’s Table staff, volunteer Glean Team leaders, gleaners, and farmers;
- Collaborate on outreach and projects that further the development of the gleaning program, including boosting gleaning on social media and cultivating connection/excitement among gleaners and the wider community;
- Participate in debriefs and reflective processes that serve to improve the gleaning program.
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POSITION REQUIREMENTS
- Physical ability to stoop, bend, and repeatedly lift and carry up to 40lb;
- Comfort working outdoors in a variety of weather conditions;
- Ability to engage in a generative, professional manner with diverse groups of people;
- Valid driver’s license and reliable personal vehicle to transport harvested produce and travel to and from gleans in the three counties;
- Ability to communicate clearly and directly, including verbally instructing gleaners;
- Ability to track details and logistics;
- Ability to self-manage tasks and time;
- Ability to problem-solve and make sound decisions in the moment;
- Desire to work as part of a team;
- Access to a phone, computer, and the internet;
- Commitment to the vision and values of Rachel’s Table.
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PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Interest or background working in local food systems and food security;
- Experience working on a farm and/or collaborating with farmers;
- Experience or interest in group facilitation;
- Literacy with Microsoft Office 365 (especially Word and Excel) and Canva;
- Comfort using Facebook, Instagram, and possibly other social media/networking platforms;
- Willingness to learn and build new skills.
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ABOUT RACHEL’S TABLE & BEA’S HARVEST GLEANING INITIATIVE
Rachel’s Table is currently the food rescue and redistribution program of the Jewish Federation of Western Massachusetts and will become its own nonprofit entity on July 1, 2023. Founded in 1992, Rachel’s Table works to alleviate hunger and reduce the waste of food resources in the Pioneer Valley. Six days a week, more than 200 volunteers collect food from over 60 donors, including local grocery stores, restaurants, caterers, farms, and bakeries, and deliver food to more than 60 agencies, such as food pantries, community meals, and shelters in Hampden, Hampshire and Franklin Counties. Rachel’s Table is also a catalyst for community activism and education through initiatives that raise awareness about food justice, especially with its Teen Board. Rachel’s Table works with dozens of community partners to support self-determined access to healthy food, including through its Growing Gardens and Bea’s Harvest Gleaning initiative. Growing Gardens provides mentoring and material support to agencies to grow their own culturally appropriate food for and with their constituents. ‘Gleaning’ means gathering grain or produce that is leftover after harvest. Each year, Rachel’s Table volunteers glean at least 18,000 pounds of produce from local farms and distribute this food around Western Massachusetts.