SCHOOL NUTRITION FARM & EDUCATION COORDINATOR

SCHOOL NUTRITION FARM & EDUCATION COORDINATOR SCHOOL NUTRITION DEPARTMENT FULL-TIME GRANT FUNDED Job Description: School Nutrition Farm & Education Coordinator Reports to: School Nutrition Director Position Summary: North Attleborough Public Schools seeks a passionate, innovative, and collaborative School Nutrition Farm & Education Coordinator to lead and expand districtwide Farm to School, scratch cooking, school garden, and food literacy initiatives. This position connects local farms, school kitchens, classrooms, students, staff, and community partners to increase access to fresh, healthy, locally sourced meals and engaging food education experiences. The coordinator will oversee local food procurement and distribution, support culinary development and staff training, expand hands-on nutrition education, and promote sustainable food systems. This role advances student wellness, staff development, community partnerships, and lifelong healthy eating habits. Qualifications ● Bachelor’s degree in culinary arts, Nutrition, Food Systems, Public Health, Education, Agriculture, Business, or a related field preferred. ● Culinary experience and/or institutional or school food service experience preferred. ● Experience with Farm to School programs, food systems, school gardens, food literacy, and scratch cooking preferred. ● Experience training and teaching adults and/or students required. ● Knowledge of local food procurement, sustainable food systems, USDA school nutrition regulations, and meal patterns preferred. ● Strong organizational, communication, and collaboration skills, with the ability to build positive relationships with students, staff, farms, nonprofits, and community organizations. ● Proficiency with technology, Google Suite, spreadsheets, and food service software systems. ● ServSafe Manager Certification and Massachusetts Allergen Certification preferred, or ability to obtain both within six months. ● Valid driver’s license required. Essential Duties & Responsibilities Farm to School Program Coordination ● Coordinate and expand districtwide Farm to School initiatives and partnerships with local farms, food producers, nonprofits, public health organizations, and community stakeholders. ● Increase the procurement and use of locally sourced fruits, vegetables, dairy, poultry, and other farm products. ● Coordinate direct sourcing, receiving, and distribution of local foods across district schools, including implementation and coordination of local food transportation. ● Ensure compliance with procurement regulations, food safety standards, and grant requirements. ● Maintain local purchasing records, grant documentation, and program outcome reports. Scratch Cooking & Culinary Support ● Implement and maintain districtwide scratch cooking initiatives, including recipe development, standardization, and seasonal menu planning using local ingredients. ● Support fresh, culturally responsive, and student-centered menus while promoting consistent food quality across all schools. ● Provide culinary coaching, technical assistance, and hands-on training in knife skills, batch cooking, food preparation, waste reduction, safe food handling, and equipment operation. ● Collaborate with school nutrition staff to increase the use of fresh ingredients and scratch-prepared menu items. ● Implement and coordinate a summer Farm to School scratch cooking initiative, including purchasing, preparing, cooking, and preserving locally sourced farm products for use throughout the school year to support fresh, homemade meals and extend the availability of seasonal local ingredients. Food Literacy & Student Engagement ● Develop and expand Harvest of the Month activities, classroom/cafeteria tastings, student focus groups, taste tests, and promotional activities that encourage student engagement and meal participation. ● Support school gardens and Tower Garden programming and integrate food literacy into classrooms in collaboration with teachers, health educators, and community partners. ● Implement districtwide School Nutrition Lesson Plans and conduct hands-on nutrition education opportunities for interested classrooms at all grade levels. ● Develop educational and promotional materials highlighting local farms, healthy eating, and seasonal foods. ● Organize Meet the Farmer Days, farm field trips, PTO/PTA events, and other community outreach activities. ● Expand before-school, after-school, and childcare programming that introduces children and families to food literacy and local foods. Staff Training & Professional Development ● Develop and facilitate professional development and ongoing training for School Nutrition staff in scratch cooking, local food utilization, food safety and handling, seasonal menu planning, and sustainable food practices. ● Support continuous improvement, professional growth, consistent food quality, and a positive, collaborative team environment. Program Development & Administration ● Assist with grant implementation, tracking, evaluation, and reporting. ● Collaborate with district leadership to ensure program sustainability and alignment with district goals. ● Assist in developing policies, town contracts, procedures, and operational systems. ● Support food waste reduction and sustainable practices. ● Maintain current knowledge of Farm to School best practices, school nutrition trends, and food systems education. Perform other duties as assigned by the Director of School Nutrition. Physical Requirements ● Ability to lift up to 50 pounds. ● Frequent standing, walking, bending, pushing, and pulling. ● Ability to work in kitchen, garden, classroom, warehouse, and outdoor environments. ● Ability to work in hot and cold conditions associated with food service operations and refrigerated transport. Terms of Employment ● Position: 12-month, full-time position ● Schedule: 40 hours per week ● Salary: $52,000 annually ● Funding: Grant-funded position POSTING DATE: OCTOBER 23, 2026 APPLICATION DEADLINE: NOVEMBER 2, 2026