Local Food Program Coordinator

Job Description: Local Food Program Coordinator

Reports To: Project Manager

Employment Classification: Full-time, Exempt (Part-time available)

Location: Franklin, NC

Start Date: March/April 2026

About Franklin Farm Hub

Franklin Farm Hub (FFH) is an innovative nonprofit food hub and educational community farm located on a picturesque 94-acre property along the Little Tennessee River at 1024 Lakeside Drive in Franklin, NC. Our mission is to uplift our agricultural community, promote land stewardship, and support local food access through incubation, education, and collaboration.

Our goals address two pressing regional issues, farmland/farmer preservation and food insecurity, by cultivating equitable markets, expanding local food access, and strengthening the economic resilience of Western North Carolina’s farmers.

Our programs include a community farm, food hub, and educational initiatives focused on food and farming.

Position Summary

The Local Food Program Coordinator supports Franklin Farm Hub’s mission by managing operations that connect farmers, markets, and communities, turning strategic goals into day-to-day impact. This role combines logistics coordination, partner engagement, and data management to ensure that locally grown food efficiently moves from farms to pantries.

The Coordinator will advance equitable food access and inclusive participation across all FFH programs, ensuring that small producers, new farmers, and historically underserved communities benefit from the region’s growing local food economy.

Key Responsibilities

Program Operations & Logistics:

• Coordinate weekly aggregation, transport, and distribution for FFH’s Farmers Market Food Recovery Program and other local procurement programs.
• Oversee vendor participation, payment processing, and produce collection in collaboration with farmers market managers and pantry partners.
• Maintain operational readiness of aggregation, and cold-storage facilities; monitor temperature logs and ensure compliance with NCDA/USDA food-safety standards.
• Support logistics for wholesale purchasing, farm-to-institution sales, and pop-up/mobile markets.

Farmer & Partner Relations:

• Serve as the primary liaison among local farmers, markets, and nonprofit partners.
• Recruit and onboard new producers and value-added vendors; provide orientation to quality, labeling, and reporting requirements.
• Identify new market opportunities for growers, helping to connect them to institutional buyers and emerging wholesale channels.
• Facilitate peer learning opportunities, workshops, and farm tours in collaboration with the FFH team.

Administrative Duties:

• Assist with food hub operational plan development including food safety planning, developing standard operating procedures (SOPs), and impact and budget tracking in coordination with leadership.
• Maintain detailed records of purchases, distributions, and participants (e.g., pounds, units, and dollars of food moved).
• Use digital tools to track impact metrics and produce regular reports for internal evaluation and grant compliance.
• Assist in preparing funder reports, success stories, and annual impact summaries.
• Track and reconcile program expenses, vendor invoices, and grant-related budgets in collaboration with Project Manager.
• Support procurement documentation, purchase orders, and compliance with financial reporting requirements.
• Contribute to grant narratives, program manuals, and communications materials that highlight outcomes and community impact.

Community Outreach & Representation:

• Represent FFH at farmers markets, community events, and regional food system meetings.
• Coordinate volunteer opportunities and educational pop-ups that promote local food access.
• Serve as a positive ambassador for FFH’s values of stewardship, inclusion, and resilience.

Qualifications

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in agriculture, food systems, environmental studies, public health, or related field, or equivalent work experience.
• 2–5 years of experience in food systems, nonprofit coordination, logistics, or agricultural programming.
• Strong organizational and communication skills, with demonstrated success in multi-partner collaboration.
• Knowledge of regional and local food systems, post-harvest handling, and food-safety best practices.
• Competence in data management and reporting; proficiency with Google Workspace or Microsoft Office.
• Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation; ability to lift up to 40 lbs and work occasional evenings/weekends.

Preferred:

• Familiarity with food hub operations, aggregation, or distribution logistics.
• Working knowledge of GAP certification, SNAP incentives, LFPA, or similar food access programs.
• Experience contributing to grant writing, fundraising, or narrative reporting.
• Basic Spanish proficiency for farmer and market engagement.
• Experience with process improvement, documentation, and continuous-quality initiatives.
• Knowledge of Western North Carolina’s agricultural landscape and community networks.

Work Environment

This position involves both office and field work. Regular travel within Macon and surrounding counties is required, along with light physical activity such as lifting produce crates or assisting with event setup. The Coordinator will work closely with FFH staff, volunteers, and community partners in a collaborative and mission-driven environment.

Compensation

The salary range is $40,000-$50,000 annually, commensurate with experience. Benefits include: paid time off, paid holidays, mileage reimbursement.

To Apply

Send a cover letter and résumé to info@franklinfarmhub.org with the subject line: Local Food Program Coordinator Application. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Application Deadline: January 31, 2026.

Franklin Farm Hub is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment where all employees and partners feel valued and supported.

Pay: $40,000.00 - $50,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Paid time off

Work Location: In person

Salary : $40,000 - $50,000