Food Access Coordinator

Mattapan Food and Fitness Coalition (MFFC)(Mattapanfoodandfit.org) grew out of an effort to draw on the wonderful ethnic and cultural diversity of the Mattapan community to promote a healthy living environment, with a focus on access to healthy foods and the promotion of physical fitness for all ages. Positive changes in these areas complement other efforts to decrease health problems like diabetes, heart disease, obesity and other health conditions that plague our community.

Mission Statement: MFFC promotes health and healthy behaviors by improving the nutritional and physical activity environments for Mattapan by bringing health and wellness options for residents. Mattapan Food and Fitness Coalition is a fiscally sponsored project of TSNE (tsne.org).

The Food Access Coordinator (FAC) will be responsible for coordinating educational engagements to the community around food access and food assistance programs. This position will represent MFFC on related councils and in related community meetings. In addition, the FAC will work alongside the Food Access Manager to plan and implement the Mattapan Square Farmers Market.

Responsibilities

●      Support the Food Access Manager with the planning and implementation of the Mattapan Square Farmers Market.

●      Assist community in accessing food resources such as SNAP, HIP, food pantries, urban farms etc which includes referrals and follow ups.

●      Create interactive and engaging activities to bring awareness of food assistance programs, urban farms, food pantries, etc.

●      Build and/or strengthen partnerships with food access organizations in Mattapan and surrounding communities.

●      Input information collected from engagement activities with community and community partners into a database.

●      Attend workshops focused on food assistance programs and farmers markets.

●      Support with evaluation efforts under our food access focus.

Administrative

●      Meet with the Food Access Manager as needed.

●      Attend MFFC monthly meetings.

●      Assist in outreach coordination to community members and organizations, resulting in increased access to healthy eating for residents.

●      Perform administrative tasks, including: maintaining project records, ordering program supplies, budget management, and handling communication.
●      Represent MFFC at meetings and on councils/boards related to food access, advocacy related meetings, and etc.

●      Perform other duties as assigned.

We will consider exceptional candidates who demonstrate a strong combination of the specific qualifications and skills described below.

• 2+ years’ experience working in or with communities of color and/or low income communities, 2+ years’ experience with food justice, food access advocacy, and food assistance programs, 2+ years’ experience in community engagement.
• Bilingual in Spanish or Haitian creole.
• Demonstrated cultural competence with the diverse ethnic, cultural and socio-economic groups.
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office, Google Suite, social media, Canva and Zoom.
• Ability to coordinate and engage community members.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Strong leadership skills, ability to work independently.
• Comfortable working in a virtual environment from a home office if you chose to work from home.
• Able to work evenings and some weekends as needed.
• Ability to travel by car, bike and/or by public transportation.
• Familiarity with the Mattapan community, Mattapan residents (preferred).
• Experience with event, curriculum building, and advocacy (preferred).

Physical Demands/Work Environment

The physical demands described here are representative of those for this position. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions. Work is performed in an office environment and in close proximity to other workers.

While performing the duties of this position, the employee is required to:

• Handle, or feel objects, tools or controls.
• Reach; traverse; sit (usually for longer periods of time); occasionally ascend/descend; and position self (to) move.
• Occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
• Job is not subject to significant occupational or environmental hazards.
• Likelihood of personal injury would be relatively slight.
• Environmental and work hazards are not present to a measurable degree.

Regarding COVID-19: TSNE considers the health and safety of our employees of the utmost importance, and due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, and subject to your state and local laws, our policy requires that all employees performing in-person work at a TSNE designated office are fully vaccinated. For the purpose of this policy, fully vaccinated indicates that you have received a single dose of the Janssen vaccine, or both doses of the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine. Certain exemptions may be requested and will be considered by Human Resources.

Compensation and Benefits

Location: Work will be primarily performed in Mattapan, MA. Work is eligible for some remote work

Compensation: The houlry rate for this position is $17.00/hr and is commensurate with experience.

Benefits: This position is not eligible for benefits.

TSNE/Mattapan Food and Fitness Coalition envisions a society grounded in the principles of social and economic justice. As such, we strive to achieve excellence through a diverse and inclusive workplace that honors the unique talents and lived experiences of each person. Our vision and values are reflected in all our employment-related decisions, including hiring practices. Accordingly, TSNE actively seeks people who bring diverse backgrounds and perspectives to join us in our work.

As an EOE/AA employer, TSNE/Mattapan Food and Fitness Coalition will not discriminate in its employment practices due to an applicant’s race, color, religion, sex, national origin or ancestry, age, sexual orientation, gender identification, genetic information, veteran or disability status or any other factor prohibited by law.