Description

Position:  Farm Stand Associate

Status: Regular, Part-Time, Non-Exempt 

Hours:  10-12 hours per week, Thursdays and Sundays

Reports to:  Post-Harvest & Distribution Manager 

About Coastal Roots Farm 

Coastal Roots Farm (CRF) is a nonprofit Jewish community farm and education center. We cultivate healthy, connected communities by integrating sustainable agriculture, food justice, and ancient Jewish wisdom.

We share organic produce with those who need it most and connect people to compelling Jewish ideas and traditions through farming and food. We distribute food through our on-site pay-what-you-can Farm Stand, pop up mobile farm stands, and donations to hunger relief organizations. We offer hands-on education and experiences through School and Group Visits, Farm Camp Farm Tours, Volunteer Opportunities, Jewish Agricultural Festivals, and other community events, inviting our neighbors to connect to the land, Jewish tradition, and each other.

Coastal Roots Farm is located in Encinitas, CA on approximately 17 acres of land which we recognize as indigenous to the Kumeyaay and Luiseño peoples. Our Farm consists of vegetable production fields, education farm and gardens, a food forest, chickens, and compost operations. Coastal Roots Farm was incubated by the Leichtag Foundation in 2014 and received 501(c)(3) public charity status in 2015.

Position Overview 

Coastal Roots Farm is seeking a part-time (10-12 hours per week), year-round Farm Stand Associate to support our efforts to feed our community, especially those who lack access to fresh and healthy food. Since inception in 2014, the Farm has donated more than 250,000 pounds of fresh produce food insecure community members here in San Diego. We serve and welcome people of all backgrounds and strive to ensure that everyone in our community has fair and equal access to fresh, healthy food. 

The Farm Stand Associate is responsible for supporting the Farm’s Pay-What-You-Can Farm Stand, our on-site social enterprise. They will work with the Post-Harvest & Distribution Manager to support and ensure successful, safe, and effective operations of our organization. This includes supporting operational flow, including traffic control, quality control with product, and customer service. As a key “face” of Coastal Roots Farm, this role requires a radically welcoming and outgoing individual, with a passion for supporting food security efforts and for building a local and sustainable food system. 

This role is year-round, part-time, and entry level. Our Farm Stand is open on Thursdays and Sundays only. Candidates must be available to work both days.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities 

The essential functions may include: 

• Supporting all necessary tasks associated with effectively operating our Pay-What-You-Can Farm Stand. 
• Supporting and staffing all phases of Farm Stand operations including assisting with setup/breakdown, Post-harvest station support, pre-bagging cut greens, maintaining quality control with produce, restocking inventory, engaging customers and fielding questions from the public, working on facility maintenance projects, and supporting Farm Stand sales through our point-of-sale system. 
• Providing exemplary customer service for all visitors. 

Required Qualifications and Experiences 

• Customer service experience. 
• Ability to work dependably Thursdays and Sundays. 
• Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills. 
• Passion for farming, food justice, and/or food systems. 
• High level of reliability, motivation, and a willingness to learn. 
• Flexibility and willingness to take on a variety of tasks along with an ability to work effectively in a highly collaborative, team environment. 
• Ability to lift heavy bins of vegetables upwards of 50 pounds, and stand for long periods of time. 
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) highly preferred. 
• Valid Driver's License. 

Reporting Relationship

Reports directly to the Post-Harvest & Distribution Manager. 

Compensation

Starting at $16.00 per hour 

Typical Working Conditions

Year-round Farm Stand Associates will work outdoors. The position must be capable of moving objects and vehicles as needed. There will be exposure to Southern California outside temperatures, chemicals used in the agricultural industry, and loud noises. 

Essential Physical Tasks

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

Continuous walking, standing, stooping, bending, kneeling, reaching, lifting, and pushing/pulling up to 50 lbs., cutting, and carrying. Able to walk a minimum of .5 miles on uneven narrow trails with elevation gain.

Equipment Used

Kubota RTV, harvesting knives and pruners 

Application Process

Please visit our website, https://coastalrootsfarm.org/about/#jobs and click Job Openings & Internships to apply online. All applicants must submit: 

• Cover letter 
• Resume 
• Job Questions 

Coastal Roots Farm is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to building an inclusive workforce. We welcome and strongly encourage people with diverse backgrounds and experiences to apply. All qualified candidates, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, medical condition, marital status, veteran status, or genetic information will be considered for this position.