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. MFFC is a fiscally sponsored organization of TSNE. (tsne.org)

Mission Statement: MFFC builds intergenerational leadership within Mattapan’s Black and Brown community to advocate for equitable access to healthy foods and opportunities for physical activity.

Vision: Mattapan is a thriving and healthy community.

Values: Equity & Antiracism, Health + Wellness, Community Ownership + Empowerment, Relationship Building Grounded in Trust, Respect, Youth Power.

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 and other food related programs and activities.

Essential Functions

Food Access Outreach and Programming

• Support the Food Access Manager with the planning and implementation of the Mattapan Square Farmers Market.
• Lead in creating interactive and engaging activities to bring awareness of food assistance programs such as SNAP/HIP, urban farms, food pantries, etc.
• Lead in supporting the community in accessing food resources such as SNAP, HIP, food pantries, urban farms, etc. which includes referrals and follow ups.
• Assist with any food related policies and advocacy activities that aligns with our mission, vision, and values
• Build and strengthen partnerships with the community, MFFC external partners, and food access organizations in Mattapan and surrounding communities
• Attend workshops, conferences, and etc. focused on food assistance programs, incentive programs, farmers markets, and food policy activities
• Maintain database related to MFFC’s food access outreach work and farmers market activities
• Support with evaluation efforts under our food access focus area
• Support all MFFC food access related programming
• Perform other duties as assigned

Administrative

• With the Food Access Program Manager:
  • Meet as needed
  • Attend and plan MFFC community meetings
  • Support MFFC in internal and external fundraising activities
  • Assist with grant writing, reporting, and data collection
  • Support with managing the food access budget, creating and/or submitting invoices, and other financial needs related to MFFC’s food access work
  • Support and work closely with MFFC’s Marketing and Communications Coordinator and/or intern on social media and other marketing/promotional materials related to food access
  • Keep records of all program details electronically in MFFC’s Google drive physical records via a binder; update as needed
  • Maintain relationships and communications with MFFC’s current food access partners which include the Boston Organization for Nutritionists and Dietitians of Color, the Kennedy Community Gardeners, the Woolson Street Community Gardeners, the River Street Food Forest, and new partners
• 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.

• A genuine resonance with and commitment to our mission, vision, and values
• Demonstrated cultural competence with diverse ethnic, cultural and socio-economic groups and understanding of the role social determinants of health, including racism, play in its impact on health outcomes
• 2+ years’ experience managing farmers markets, in community engagement, and/or food advocacy efforts
• Familiarity with food assistance programs such as SNAP, HIP, WIC, Farmers Market coupons
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office, Google Suite, social media (Twitter/X, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn), Canva and Zoom, and/or willingness to learn
• Comfortable with engaging community members, volunteers, partners, and other MFFC relationships
• Excellent oral, written communication, and organizational skills
• Strong leadership skills: ability to take initiative, strong critical and problem-solving skills; and ability to work independently
• Willingness and desire to learn new skills, gain knowledge, and understand the connection between the work and MFFC’s mission, vision, and values
• Able to work some evenings and some weekends as needed
• Open and flexible to the changes that come with a growing organization
• Ability to travel by car, bike and/or by public transportation
• Comfortable working in a hybrid environment
• Experience with event planning (preferred)
• Familiarity with the Mattapan community and Mattapan residents (preferred)
• Bilingual in Spanish or Haitian creole (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.

Compensation and Benefits

Location: Work will be primarily performed Hybrid-Mattapan Food and Fitness Coalition,1613 Blue Hill Ave, Suite 307 Mattapan, MA 02126

Schedule: 30 hours per week; Weekdays, evenings, and Saturdays (seasonal)

Compensation: The hourly range for this position is $19.00 - $22.00/hr and is commensurate with experience.

Benefits: This position is eligible for a full benefits package including:

• Generous Paid-Time-Off (PTO): twelve paid holidays, three weeks of vacation, one week of personal holiday, and ability to accrue up to 487.5 hours of health leave time for benefited staff.
• 80% Employer-paid, offering some $0 deductible Health Insurance through Harvard Pilgrim along with several low-deductible plans;
• Low-cost Guardian Dental and Vision.
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) for Health and Dependent Care.
• Employer-paid Life, Long- and Short-Term Disability Insurance.
• Employer-paid Pension and Employee-paid 403b plan through TIAA.
• ...and more!

TSNE/MFFC strives to achieve excellence through a diverse, equitable, and inclusive work environment that embraces all of our individual and collective differences. Black, Indigenous, People of Color, Middle Eastern and North African, Bilingual and/or Bicultural candidates, and LGBTQ2SIA+ candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. We value and honor the unique talents, learning styles, and lived experiences of each individual that enrich and strengthen our workplace culture, and we are proud to be an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer.

All employment conditions are based on an individual’s performance and job qualifications. TSNE/MFFC prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, creed, color, religion, native language, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, national origin, physical or mental disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, parental status, pregnancy, race-based hairstyles, or any other protected characteristic stated by federal and state law. Regardless of any class’ protection under the law or lack thereof, TSNE/MFFC celebrates diversity and values the strengths that come with having a diverse team of employees. It is represented in our workplace culture, and it is who we are.

TSNE/MFFC's EEO statement extends to volunteers, interns, contractors, vendors, and clients.