Location: Middlebury, Vermont (in-person)
Supervisor: Food Hub Manager
Employee Status: Part-Time, Non-Exempt, Hourly
About ACORN: The Addison County Relocalization Network (ACORN), founded in 2009, is a
small non-profit with the mission to promote the growth and health of local food and agriculture in Vermont’s Champlain Valley by providing support to our farmers and food producers,
engaging in food education and ensuring access to healthy food for all members of our community. From the Tour de Farms and Champlain Valley Guide to Local Food and Farms to the Farmacy Food as Medicine program and various Farm to School initiatives, ACORN is a catalyst for developing local, sustainable and collaborative solutions that adapt to community needs. The ACORN Food Hub is in its third year of operation offering aggregation, storage and distribution for local producers. Through its Online Market, the ACORN Food Hub aggregates and distributes hyper local food from over 50 farms and value-added vendors to wholesale customers in western Vermont and eastern New York.
This is a brand new position that will assist in developing and operating ACORN’s Food Hub in Middlebury, VT. The Food Hub Coordinator reports to the ACORN Food Hub Manager. The primary components of this position include warehouse operations and delivery. This is an in-person position; special consideration will be given to candidates within a 30-minute driving distance of Middlebury.
The Coordinator will work collaboratively with the ACORN Food Hub team to successfully implement operations, increase efficiency and productivity, and make deliveries around the Champlain Valley. The Coordinator will help maintain the warehouse facility, van and equipment infrastructure, food safety standards, quality management programs, and wholesale order fulfillment. This position will work closely with the ACORN Food Hub team to enhance systems for increased efficiency, quality, and safety in all aspects of the program. This position will assist in inventory management, product receiving, order fulfillment and delivery, and logistics planning.
Opportunities to work on other tasks may be possible based on the Coordinator’s interests.
Working Conditions & Physical Demands
ACORN will make reasonable accommodations to enable individuals to perform the essential functions of their work to the degree we can do so.
Work Conditions
● This position is based in the ACORN Food Hub facility in Middlebury, VT
● Availability to work at the Food Hub from 9 am to 5 pm every Wednesday, and 9am-1pm every Friday
● Occasional off-hours responsibilities, meetings, and events (with plenty of advance notice)
Physical Demands
● This position entails minimal use of a laptop computer
● Ability to drive continuously for up to 5 hours at a time
● Ability to drive a cargo van in various weather conditions and awareness of unsafe driving conditions
● Ability to work physically demanding days that may last 8+ hours. You can safely and repetitively lift 50 pounds
Required Qualifications
● Detail-oriented, self-motivated, organized with excellent time management and problem-solving skills
● Enjoy working collaboratively and are also happy working independently
● Enthusiastic about the mission of ACORN, sustainability, food access and food justice
● Proficient in the use of Google Workspace, Slack and Zoom
● Interested and able to learn new computer-based software quickly and thoroughly.
● Personable, customer-oriented, comfortable interacting with a broad range of people
● A proficient communicator with strong written and verbal skills
● Capable of handling many tasks and managing several priorities simultaneously while meeting deadlines, upholding accuracy and performance expectations
● Valid driver’s license with clean driving record
● A smart phone equipped with data and gps
Preferred Qualifications
● Existing relationships with/knowledge of food producers and buyers in Vermont, especially Vermont’s Champlain Valley
● General knowledge of the sustainable food and agriculture sector
● Familiarity with the geographical area of our delivery services
● Own a functioning laptop
● Familiarity with warehouse systems and cold storage infrastructure/mechanics
● Experience with food safety best practices and product handling protocols
Compensation and Benefits
● This is a part-time position (12 hours/week) with in-person operations needed weekly throughout the year
● Compensation is $21/ hour
● Twelve paid holidays (prorated)
● Accrued paid time off based on hours worked
● Technology stipend is available at $0.75 per hour worked, up to $30/week to offset the cost for using personal equipment
● ACORN will provide reimbursement for approved out-of-pocket expenses
● Coordinator will be paid bi-weekly for hours worked upon submission of a timesheet
● Employee discount on food purchases made through the ACORN Online Market
● Monthly wellness stipend
ACORN is an at will, equal opportunity employer that values diversity of experience and perspective to enrich our work. All qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, ancestry, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy or pregnancy-related condition, crime victim status, health coverage status, HIV status, military or veteran status, or any other protected classification, in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.
How to Apply
Interested applicants should submit a cover letter, resume and three references to ACORN’s Executive Director, Lindsey Berk, at [email protected]. Alternatively, applicants may choose to submit a creative portfolio that conveys lived experience and desire to effect change in the food system. Please write “{{YOUR NAME}} Application for ACORN Food Hub Coordinator” in the Subject Line. Tell us what you love most about supporting your local food shed! Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis and the position is open until filled. The starting date will be in late August or early September 2025.