Farmers Market Program Coordinator

The Bridgeport Farmers Market Collaborative is a network of farmers markets that improves access to locally-grown produce and makes it more affordable, while supporting the local economy and building community across the city. 

The Bridgeport Farmers Market Collaborative (BFMC) operates nutrition benefit programs like Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Matching, Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) bonuses for Women Infant and Children (WIC) recipients and seniors, and $5 Bridgeport Bucks to improve the availability and accessibility of CT-Grown produce available at our nine farmers markets. BFMC also conducts community outreach and marketing on behalf of the farmers markets to increase attendance and awareness, and implements other programming to boost market growth and viability.  BFMC members represent farmers markets and farm stands from nine farmers markets across the city of Bridgeport and share a mission to combat nutrition insecurity in food deserts. 

Position Summary:

The Program Coordinator reports to the BFMC Director. The BFMC Program Coordinator will be responsible for delivery of our nutrition benefit programs, welcoming customers to farmers markets, collecting data, conducting community outreach, and representing BFMC to the Bridgeport community and partners. The nutrition benefit programs will take place at the market information booth (or “welcome table”)  at the various markets across Bridgeport. The Coordinator will provide an excellent customer service experience through processing BFMC nutrition benefit programs, helping market staff and volunteers with setup and break down, data collection for each market day, distributing information about BFMC programs, and creating a welcoming, inclusive atmosphere for all visitors and vendors. The Coordinator will enrich the customers’ experience of the market by increasing access, awareness, and education on locally grown foods, to strengthen and support the markets’ successes. The Program Coordinator is a public face of the Bridgeport Farmers Markets in interactions with customers, local businesses, community partners, and vendors, and should be passionate about the Bridgeport community and local food access. 

Primary Duties:

• Attend assigned BFMC members’ farmers markets, arriving 30 minutes prior to opening and remaining until 30 minutes after closing. The farmers market schedule will be finalized prior to the beginning of the season, but this position is for a maximum of 25 hours for the months of June-November and includes weekdays and weekends. There are two Program Coordinator positions and schedules available. Training will take place in May.
• Facilitate all nutrition incentive benefit matching programs at the market (SNAP, WIC, senior checks), welcome customers to the market, answer general questions and educate customers about locally grown produce, provide information about other market activities and programs.  
• Set up, manage, and break down the welcome table at each market. 
• Assist with setup and breakdown at the market overall, including informational booth(s), market manager booths, and partner booths as needed.  This includes tents, tables, and signage.
• Conduct data collection and data entry. 
• Promote use of BFMC community currency and programs at all BFMC sites; interact with customers to answer questions and gather feedback on the markets; identify areas for improvement and share with BFMC members
• Manage complaints, comments, and requests from vendors and customers with regard to BFMC programs as needed.
• Support BFMC members on any special event logistics at market, including cooking demonstrations, educational programming, music, or other activities if needed, and help ensure the market environment is welcoming and inclusive. 
• Capture programming and market activities for use in social media and other reporting
• Other duties, including community outreach, as needed.

Position Requirements:

• Able and willing to work outside in inclement weather (June-November)
• Access to reliable transportation and able to transport job materials
• Access to internet during non-market hours
• Detail-oriented and able to maintain organized and accurate records of transactions and complete digital data entry
• Able to lift up to 40 pounds
• Available by phone and email
• Digital proficiency required, must able to use Google Drive 
• Pass background check
• Professional, weather-appropriate appearance at all times during the market hours
• 
  

Desired Skills:

• Entry-level work experience 
• Experience or interest in working with nonprofits, farmers markets, and/or customer service
• Passion for building local community 
• Bilingual English/Spanish strongly preferred, other languages a plus  
• Comfort working in all weather, lifting moderately heavy loads (up to 40 lbs.) occasionally, and spending long periods outdoors
• Initiative, leadership, and ability to work collaboratively with a diverse range of stakeholders
• Excellent interpersonal communication, including verbal and written 
• Project management, especially juggling multiple priorities in a customer service environment
• Creative conflict and problem-solving

Team Communication:

• Meet with the BFMC Director on a weekly basis and as needed
• Communicate issues that arise on-site during market days promptly and as needed

Availability:

• Up to 25 hours/week June through November, weekdays and weekends, with paid training in May
• Must be at scheduled markets during market hours
• Flexibility to provide coverage for other Program Coordinators as needed, preferred.

Compensation: This is a part-time contracted position with an hourly compensation at a rate of $20/hour.

Please submit your resume and a brief letter of interest.

Tentative Schedule: We are currently hiring for two positions with two different schedules. See below for potential schedule options

Schedule A (subject to change) 

• Sunday - 8:30am-3:30pm
• Wednesday - 9:30am-2:30pm
• Thursday - 10:00am-6:00pm

Schedule B (subject to change) 

• Sunday - 11:30am-3:30pm 
• Tuesday - 11:00am-4:30pm
• Friday - 11:30am-4:30pm
• Saturday - 9:30am-2:30pm 

Contract Start Date: May 30

Contract End Date: December 31