Growing Healthy Food Security and Community Engagement
Since 2009
FLV MOBILE MARKET
Making Healthy Food Accessible Across Albany County, Wyoming
2023 AmeriCorps Vista Summer Associate 10-week Position
Join the Feeding Laramie Valley Mobile Market Team in a 10-week opportunity to engage with hundreds of diverse, dynamic Albany County community members who are living in isolated rural and frontier locations with no close access to healthy foods; are often struggling food insecurity; and engaging with Feeding Laramie Valley to battle against it. As part of a dynamic and adventurous team, you will be preparing and selling local produce and other healthy foods on our newly renovated school bus-turned-mobile market. This is our pilot year to launch the market in various Laramie neighborhoods located far from a grocery store, as well as to rural and frontier areas including Rock River, Centennial and Woods Landing.
Stocked with local and regional produce as well as healthy food staples including beans, grains, a variety of protein sources, eggs, dairy and dairy alternatives, breads, spices and herbs, beverages and deliciously healthy snacks, the FLV Mobile Market will be a community gathering and shopping experience on wheels. Intended for everyone, the Mobile Market will be accepting SNAP and offering sliding scale pricing, and market staff team members will be key to creating a community-led business design full of heart.
Throughout the summer, the Mobile Market Team will be testing locations and products, learning from shoppers what they need and want from this traveling store, and working with community to make that happen. There will be days on the road selling our healthy wares, and days at home base improving our Market's design. Mobile Market Summer Associates will participate in all aspects of equitable healthy food access and creative distribution, including building relationships with community shoppers, market vendors, and volunteers. No experience is necessary while related lived experience is always highly valued. This is an excellent opportunity for someone who wants to gain or deepen their experience in food systems work, sustainable food access and distribution, and community-based activism.
2023 AmeriCorps VISTA Summer Associate Job Description
Mobile Market Assistant
Position
Feeding Laramie Valley Mobile Market Assistant Summer Associate
Start and End Dates
June 5, 2023 to August 16, 2023 (Ability to commit to the entire 10-week season with some holiday, weekend, and/or evening work as required. There is occasional flexibility in the schedule with the supervisor's advance approval.)
Position Overview
A Feeding Laramie Valley (FLV) Mobile Market Assistant Summer Associate (SA) will serve as a community-based activist and advocate for group and individual efforts to promote local food security and equity in Albany County, Wyoming. The Mobile Market Summer Associate will assist in the accessible traveling sales of healthy, local and regional foods across Albany County, Wyoming. Those selected for the Mobile Market Assistant summer position will assist with the daily functions of the Mobile Market including: traveling with the bus for routine sales operations; assisting with the setup and takedown of the Mobile Market before and after sales; assisting customers and running the point of sale system according to the Mobile Market’s sliding scale model; building relationships with community members and shoppers and answering questions about the Mobile Market and other FLV programs; assisting in outreach and marketing materials to promote community engagement and volunteer recruitment; cleaning and disinfecting the Mobile Market between and during sales; assisting with inventory, stocking, and quality checking of groceries; and documenting and reporting on program data. Because staff will be dealing with bulk goods and heavy portable equipment, applicants must be able to lift 50 pounds.
Essential Job Functions and Responsibilities
-
become familiar with Farmer’s Register POS system and work iPads and cash box for sales
-
be able to explain the Mobile Market sliding scale system and answer questions from customers regarding the Mobile Market and Feeding Laramie Valley
-
set up and take down of the market at each of its sites, including attaching a back door ramp, securing for travel and sales: shelving, equipment, and food items.
-
cleaning and disinfecting the inside of the bus after each route and during sales
-
taking weekly inventory of supplies and re-stock as needed
-
quality check of food before each route, ensuring proper storage before, during and after Mobile Market routes
-
develop engaged relationships with customers and local producers as part of sales and part of ongoing design and operations of the Market
-
team members are expected to work collaboratively with team leaders and co-staff members, maintain helpful relationships with vendors and shoppers, as well as work with volunteers independently and in a leadership capacity.
-
attend meetings and training as arranged with the Mobile Market Manager and Assistant Manager
-
regularly and safely lift to 50 lbs. with proper body mechanics
-
precision to detail and maintenance of quality control for the foods stocked and sold at the Mobile Market
-
communicate regularly with community members, shoppers, and the general public
-
participate in the planning and execution of FLV-sponsored events with a special focus on the Mobile Market presence at these events, such as Freedom Has a Birthday and Food and Fun in the Park
Scheduling
FLV Mobile Market Assistant Summer Associate Hours
June 5 - August 16, 2023
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday: 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Thursdays: 11:30 a.m. - 7:30 p.m.
1-hour lunch break provided each day
Schedule may vary for FLV weekend events - advance notice given for schedule changes.
Additional Requirements
All FLV staff, interns, and volunteers are subject to background checks. In addition, a copy of a current driver's license record will be required to drive on behalf of FLV. At this time, we continue to track COVID-19 activity and adjust prevention and management practices as is advisable to help promote the health and safety of our community.
Contact information for 2 individuals familiar with the applicant's general work skills and experience must be provided with the application. A resume may also be included but is not required.
Essay and interview required, resumes are optional, 2 references are required. Applicants are asked to write a narrative of interest in the position, including experiences with community and other gardening work; and/or other experiences with social justice projects. In this narrative, please describe why this position interests you, what relevant experience you may have, and why you would be a good fit for FLV. In addition, applicants may wish to include a statement on how you view this experience as a means of enhancing your personal and professional goals. Food and/or retail service experience is valued but by no means necessary; this would be an excellent opportunity for an aspiring food systems activist or anyone who is passionate, hardworking, and willing to try something challenging yet rewarding! Online application is found here. Alternative application methods are detailed below.
Compensation
• Living allowance for 10 weeks ($675 paid bi-weekly).
• Segal Education Award with Completion of Service, approximately $1,311
(Note: the Segal Education Award can be used for tuition as well as qualifying student loans.)
- or - End of Service Award/Cash stipend approximately $345.
• Weekly FLV Shares produce bag.
• Free made-from-scratch lunch Monday through Friday beginning June 12 available at FLV main site.
• Use of personal garden plot is available for the season, seeds and tool use included.
• Free participation in any summer Higher Ground Community Learning class.
For More Information and to Apply
Apply online here. Alternatively you may email a completed, printed copy of the application, your narrative of interest and contact information for 2 references to the Mobile Market Team Leaders at: mobilemarket@feedinglaramievalley.org (please use the email subject line: 2023 VISTA Summer Associate – Mobile Market). You may mail your complete application package to Collin Ballard, Feeding Laramie Valley, P.O. Box 536, Laramie, WY 82073, or drop it off at 968 N. 9th Street, Laramie, M-F, 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
A resume may also be included but is not required.
Application Deadline
Applications will be reviewed and interviews will be set up on a rolling basis, with first consideration given to applications received by April 10.