Employment Opportunity Fruit Tree Program Coordinator

LUSH Valley Food Action Society is a food security charitable non-profit organization.  We are seeking a Fruit Tree Program Coordinator for the 2014 season.  This is a highly interactive and hands-on position that coordinates the gleaning of free, fresh produce from fruit tree owners and farms for delivery to food programs throughout Comox Valley.



Responsibilities: 

• Organizes volunteers to harvest produce and ensures produce is delivered to food programs. Ensures produce is stored appropriately.
• Orientates volunteers to the program and ensures they understand the purpose of the program and are aware of safety precautions.  
• Promotes the Fruit Tree Program through attending community events, speaking to farming and community organizations, and through website, social and local media and marketing.  
• Maintains statistics on the program (amounts donated, from who, where the food was delivered and amount, volunteer hours, and type of fruit etc).  Shares these statistics on a monthly basis with the Executive Director.  
• Foster and maintain relationships with emergency food providers and growers (local farmers, fruit tree owners, and home gardeners) to enhance the delivery of food donations.  
• Expand current gleaning efforts to date by organizing region wide gleaning events where volunteers will come to a farm or orchard to harvest and sort food for distribution to emergency food providers. 
• Assists in planning a volunteer appreciation event, and sends out thank you letters to donors.  
• Explore the potential growth and sustainability of the Fruit Tree Program and the coordinator position.

What we need from you:

• Experience working with emergency food providers, and farmers is an asset.
• Understanding the continuum of the food system, with knowledge of the local food security movement.
• Have a reliable vehicle with capacity to carry up to 300lb of fruit and ladders (fuel costs reimbursed).  Able to lift up to 50lbs.
• Ability to build strong working relationships with farmers, volunteers, fruit tree owners, and emergency food providers.
• Good written and oral communication and computer skills, including the ability to use Word and Excel.
• Demonstrated ability to work professionally.
• Organized and able to manage multiple assignments and priorities.
• Team player with professional standards, positive attitude and flexibility.

Contract will run from July to the end of October with the opportunity to renew depending on success in securing grant funding.  Maximum remuneration $5000.  Please submit your resume to admin@lushvalley.org by June 23, 2014.  This position is made possible by the Province of BC.

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