Now Enrolling: Summer Iowa Community Corps AmeriCorps Local Foods Position

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Join our team! Iowa Community Corps AmeriCorps Position at Table to Table

Position Summary:

The Local Foods Recovery Coordinator will support seasonal programs that include gleaning, garden recovery, and produce distribution. They will lead and assist in harvesting excess produce from farms and gardens, strengthening relationships with local donors, and organizing pop-up free produce stands with partner agencies. They will also help pilot initiatives to recover food from semi trucks, culturally specific grocery stores, and prepared food providers.

T2T serves as the hub for 60% of the food distributed by Johnson County’s hunger relief network. The best candidate is an energetic team player with strong communication skills who enjoys interacting with people of diverse ages and backgrounds.

AmeriCorps Service Term Options: 

The service term for this position is June through August  – 10 weeks, 33 hours per week.

Work Hours: 

At least threedays Monday-Friday from 8am until noon or 3:30pm with some flexibility. 

An evening a week 3-7:30pm for Free Produce Stands. Other days and times as needed and agreed upon. May include weekend Free Produce Stands, gleaning & volunteer events, farmer’s markets, or outreach events with partner organizations.

About AmeriCorps and Iowa Community Corps:

AmeriCorps is the federal agency for national service and volunteerism in the United States. It’s an opportunity for adults of all ages and backgrounds to serve their communities and their country through a network of partnerships with local and national nonprofit groups. AmeriCorps members address critical needs such as literacy, health, housing, technology, the environment, economic development, and many other fields. It is a chance to apply your skills and energy toward helping others and strengthening the organizations that make a positive difference in Americans’ lives.

Read more about the Iowa Community Corps program. 

Financial Information, Benefits, & Additional Information:

Minimum Time (300 service hours, est. 33 hours/week over 10 weeks):
Living Allowance: $3,945
Education Award: $1,565.08

Supervision Given By: Table to Table Distribution Coordinator

Qualifications & Competencies:

  • Enthusiastic advocate for food rescue, hunger relief, and food waste reduction. 
  • Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, maintaining energy through often repetitive tasks. Ability to switch gears quickly and manage multiple tasks concurrently. 
  • Ability to work autonomously and perform well under pressure. Detail-oriented & resourceful.
  • Functional knowledge and ability to use Microsoft Office and Google Suite.

Licenses & Qualifications:

  • Required: Must be able to regularly and repeatedly lift and move 20-40 lbs.
  • Preferred but not required: Over 21 with a valid driver’s license for a minimum of 4 years and good driving record (must be insurable under organization liability insurance); willing to drive large vehicles.
  • Must be able to use technology including computers, printers, phones, vehicle and refrigeration units, and other equipment. Functional knowledge of computer systems.

Essential Functions:

Local Produce Program Implementation

  • Harvest excess produce from farms and gardens 
  • Collect excess produce from markets and produce auctions
  • Recruit and communicate with farmer- and gardener-donors to increase local food donations
  • Recruit and schedule volunteers, including communication of location and time for activities 
  • Lead volunteers in gleaning activities 
  • Demonstrate best practices for food handling safety 
  • Motivate and build up the local farmer- and gardener-donor network through recognition events and outreach 
  • Connect with other gleaners in Iowa and build or rebuild gleaning communications and networks
  • Track data and evaluate trends around gleaning efforts 

Food Distribution through Free Produce Stands 

  • Deliver harvested and prepared produce to local partners in the Johnson County hunger relief network including food pantries & overnight shelters
  • Facilitate produce pop-up stands (Free Produce Stands) in neighborhoods & community locations to deliver free produce to food insecure individuals 
  • Lead volunteers in setup and tear down of produce stands 

Volunteer & Program Operations Duties

  • Recruit and schedule volunteers as needed for gleaning, Free Produce Stands, and food rescue operations 
  • Utilize communications tools and create materials to increase public awareness of programs, services & opportunities
  • Participate in food rescue program by picking up donations from local partners and delivering/unloading donations at distribution sites 
  • Record volunteer feedback and pass on pertinent information that impacts planning and management of food rescue program 
  • Unload and organize food received and work with staff to determine the appropriate distribution of food donations
  • Track data and evaluate trends: Perform food rescue program data entry & assist with volunteer record keeping through Salesforce

Typical challenges this position will face:

  • Frequent interruptions, especially during hours with heaviest volunteer activity
  • Last-minute volunteer & logistics scheduling conflicts
  • Needing to make sound, quick decisions based upon available information

Work Environment:

  • Work is in-person in both an office and warehouse/transportation environment

Interested in learning more? 

Submit a resume and cover letter to Nicki Ross at hr@table2table.org

Table to Table’s Mission Statement:

Table to Table bridges the gap between abundance and hunger. Our mission is to increase food equity and reduce environmental harm by collecting and redistributing surplus food through partners to people who can use it.