Food Systems Assistant

Company description Riverdale Neighborhood House, Inc. (RNH) is of, by, and for its local community. Our mission is to strengthen community in the northwest Bronx by delivering programs responsive to local needs, by building connections and promoting equity across generational, cultural, racial, and economic lines, and by creating a sense of place. We work with a vibrant, diverse community of over 50,000 residents who live in an area bordered by the Hudson River, Van Cortlandt Park, Manhattan, and Yonkers. RNH provides a wide range of programming anchored in regular needs assessments of our community. Today, RNH offers no-cost preschool education and free and low-cost after-school programs for children aged 2-13. Activities for high school students include internships, college advising, leadership development, and recreation. Adults participate in enrichment classes, community events, and volunteer programs. The volunteer-run Telephone Reassurance Program supports homebound older adults and the Food & Farm Hub works to promote food justice and environmental stewardship through a teaching garden, community fridge, weekly food distributions and volunteer programming. Job description The Food Systems Assistant will help ensure the growth and success of RNH’s food access work with a focus on creating participant-led programming that centers community connections. Working closely with the Food Systems Manager, the Assistant will support operations, education, and administrative work across all food access programs, including food distributions, the community fridge, meal preparation and packing, youth market, volunteer activities, and educational programs. The Food Systems Assistant will play a lead role in RNH’s weekly produce distributions, helping to manage day-of logistics, volunteers and participant engagement. Additionally the Food Systems Assistant will support educational initiatives by facilitating food justice programming across age groups, both with internal RNH groups and external partners. The Assistant will work closely with the Food Systems Manager and volunteers to develop and implement new programs responsive to community needs. They will also be responsible for measuring impact across food programs, including maintaining metrics and reporting. This position requires organizational and customer service skills, a passion for food justice, and an eagerness for hands-on work. A “can do” attitude is essential as well as creativity, humor and a commitment to responsive, justice oriented, community-led programming.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Oversee weekly Tuesday produce distributions including set-up, break-down, volunteer management, customer service and program development to foster community connections
• Support food systems operations through tasks like participant outreach (e.g. emails and calls), inventorying, ensuring upkeep of spaces & organizational systems
• Support monitoring of quantitative and qualitative impact of food programs by maintaining database and facilitating participant feedback
• Provide support at events such as community cafe, cook day, and the monthly food pantry
• Assist with the maintenance of The Neighborhood Fridge through cleaning, food procurement, and daily operations and organization
• Help facilitate food justice programs at existing events such as food distributions and in collaboration with existing RNH programs serving ages 3 years and up
• Support the farm stand with staffing and community outreach
• Collaborate with Food Systems Manager, volunteers and other staff to develop and implement new programming to expand food justice and RNH’s mission

REQUIREMENTS/QUALIFICATIONS:

• Spanish / English Bilingual required
• Data management experience preferred
• Experience with mutual aid, food distributions, or other organizing experience
• Interest in community building, cooking, and food justice
• Strong interpersonal, communication (verbal and written) and relationship building skills
• Ability to work productively in a fast-paced environment with frequent interruptions
• Proficiency in Google Workplace (particularly Docs & Sheets)
• High school diploma or equivalent
• Successful Background Check and State Central Registry clearances, as required by the Department of Education

WORK CONDITIONS / PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Frequent traveling around the RNH campus and to local vendors as required.
• This position requires regular physical activity, including walking, standing, climbing stairs, and lifting objects up to 50 pounds.
• This position requires working outdoors in all weather (rain, heat, snow)