ROOTS FARM MARKET TEAM MEMBER (CLOSING SHIFTS) 

The Roots Farm Market, Middlesex, VT

Job Overview

The Roots Farm Market is looking for a part-time Store Team Member to help with our weekday closing and weekend shifts! We are a small team, united by a passion for local products and organic, locally-grown produce. We work hard to provide a pleasant, relaxed, and intimate retail experience for our customers, vendors, and the community. Store Team Members engage with customers at the register during most of a shift, while also completing vital daily store tasks such as grocery stocking, handling and packaging vegetables, watering plants and vegetables outside, merchandising, and cleaning/organizing the store space. Ideal candidates will bring energy and positivity to the role while maintaining a high level of customer service. 

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Job Duties 

• Efficiently and accurately complete customer transactions using the POS system
• Interact with customers and community members in a friendly and respectful manner 
• Price, merchandize, organize, or restock inventory as needed
• Bag, clean, sort, date, and manage a variety of seasonal, fresh produce
• Maintain abundant and appealing displays and a clean and welcoming space

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Physical Aspects 

• Frequent standing up and sitting down, standing for long periods
• Heavy lifting (30-50 lbs) is a regular Store Team Member task 
• Changing temperature environments: working in walk-in cooler, on store floor, outside in summer/fall months

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Benefits & Compensation 

• $16-$18/hour depending on experience 
• Accrued Paid Time Off for those working 24 hrs/week or more
• 15% employee discount 
• Staff lunch & drink ​and seconds vegetables

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Schedule

• This position is a part time position and is limited to mostly closing shifts (until approx 6:15 in the evening); we will consider after-school candidates depending on hiring needs

​To apply: please email an updated resume and brief intro statement including your work availability and 3 work-related references to [email protected] 

Overview

Roots Farm Market (founded in 2019) is a farmer-owned, year-round market dedicated to showcasing the highest quality locally grown produce and thoughtfully sourced foods. Our mission is to strengthen Vermont’s regional food system by building lasting partnerships with local farms and offering exceptional seasonal products in a warm, community-centered retail environment

We are seeking a knowledgeable and driven Lead Produce & Meat Buyer to oversee all fresh produce procurement and maintenance. This mid-level leadership role owns the vision, planning, and execution of our produce program, with a strong emphasis on local farm relationships, seasonality, quality standards, and financial performance.

The ideal candidate has direct experience buying fresh vegetables—preferably from local and organic farms in Vermont—and understands how to balance seasonality, margins, merchandising, and customer demand within a small-format retail environment. 

Position Summary

The Produce & Meat Buyer is responsible for sourcing, purchasing, forecasting, pricing, and merchandising all produce in the store, while also coordinating ordering and inventory maintenance for the store’s local meat selection.

This role acts as the primary link between Roots Farm Market in Middlesex, VT, and its founding farm, Bear Roots Farm (located in Williamstown and South Barre), as well as other regional producers. This buyer plays a key role in shaping the store’s identity through a vibrant, seasonal vegetable program and strong partnerships with local farms.

This is both a strategic and hands-on role, requiring time in the walk-in, heavy lifting, on the sales floor, and regular communication with growers and producers

Key Responsibilities

     Produce Strategy & Seasonal Planning

• Develop and execute a seasonal produce sourcing plan aligned with regional crop cycles
• Forecast weekly and monthly produce needs based on sales trends and seasonal shifts
• Curate a diverse, high-quality vegetable selection with an emphasis on Bear Roots Farm produce and other local producers
• Monitor market pricing and adjust retail pricing to maintain healthy margins while remaining competitive
• Track shrink and implement strategies to reduce waste and increase sell-through

    Farm & Vendor Relationships

• Serve as primary point of contact for local farm partners 
• Build & maintain strong, transparent relationships with growers 
• Identify and onboard new farm vendors to expand product diversity 
• Stay informed on crop forecasts, weather impacts, and regional agricultural trends 
• Visit farms and attend local food and buying events as needed 

    Meat Program Coordination

• Coordinate weekly ordering of locally raised meats from regional producers and distributors
• Maintain appropriate inventory levels and monitor sales trends
• Ensure proper receiving, storage, and rotation in accordance with food safety standards
• Support pricing, merchandising, and product availability within the meat case

    Ordering, Receiving & Inventory Management

• Place weekly and rolling orders according to vendor schedules 
• Create and manage purchase orders in POS/inventory system 
• Oversee produce receiving, ensuring quality, temperature compliance, and accuracy 
• Maintain organized, properly rotated walk-in storage (FIFO) 
• Analyze sales data and adjust ordering quantities accordingly 

Merchandising & Quality Control

• Lead produce display strategy to ensure abundance, freshness, and visual appeal 
• Maintain accurate pricing, farm signage, and product information 
• Establish and uphold quality standards for all produce on the floor 
• Train staff on proper handling, rotation, and storage protocols

Leadership & Collaboration

• Collaborate with management team on financial performance and category growth 
• Communicate produce updates, seasonality highlights, and changes to staff 
• Share photos, updates, or promotions with our marketing team 
• Support in-store promotions, tastings, and farm spotlight features 
• Step into customer-facing register role as needed to support store operations 

Qualifications

• 1-2+ years experience with buying or managing fresh produce in retail, farmers market, or food distribution center 
• Strong knowledge of vegetable farming, VT specific food system, and regional growing cycles 
• Must have experience working directly with farms or local food producers 
• Demonstrated ability to manage inventory, margins, and shrink 
• Excellent communication and organizational skills 
• Passion for local agriculture and sustainable food systems 
• Ability to lift 50+ lbs regularly and work in refrigerated storage environment 
• Positive, team oriented attitude 

What this role offers 

• Ownership over a dynamic, seasonal produce program
• Direct relationships with regional farmers
• Opportunity to shape the store’s identity through produce leadership
• Collaborative, mission-driven team environment

Schedule

• Full time 40 hrs/week 
• Mostly closing shifts 10AM-6:15PM with a few opening 8AM-4PM 
• One weekend day 

Compensation 

• $21-22/hour depending on experience
• Accrual based PTO 
• 15% Store Discount 
• Daily Staff Lunch
• Access to 2nd quality produce or store culls

Job Fair - Sunday, March 29th from 11am - 2pm

Join us at the Farm Barn at Shelburne Farms to learn more about all the seasonal positions available around Shelburne Farms and meet with representatives from all our departments. 
From May to October, we have positions in multiple departments including Buildings and Grounds, Summer Camp Educators, Children's Farmyard Educators, Inn and Guest Services, Restaurant and Kitchen,  Welcome Center retail support and more.

Address for Shelburne Farms: 1611 Harbor Road, Shelburne, VT 05482
The event will be held at the McClure Education Center located at the Farm Barn. 
Enter at main entrance on Harbor Road, and signs will guide you there.

Can't attend the job fair? Apply online at shelburnefarms.org/join-our-team

53 acre parcel of mixed forest, pasture, and cropland with farmhouse, garage/workshop, shed, and pond for sale.  This property is located 8 minutes from I89 off the Northfield/Williamstown exit, but offers a tranquil slice of beautiful VT.  The farmhouse was built in the early 1800's but has had a series of renovations making it a comfortable 3 bedroom, 2 bath home with ample family space and formal dining and living rooms.  Outstructures include a generously sized 2-car garage with attached, heated workshop space, plus a shed with run-in, and an attractive, new chicken coop sized for roughly 15 birds.  The pond offers a refreshing respite from outdoor activities and chores.  Existing perennials include 4 mature apple trees, blackberry/raspberry bramble, rhubarb, and newly planted blueberry bushes and hazel nut trees.  The tillable field area (3 acres) offers prime farmland soil (Buckland loam), and the surrounding pasture is Colrain stony fine sandy loam.  We are preferring to sell but would potentially also consider owner financing.

Waterford: Share light-filled, spacious farmhouse with 50-something cheesemaker. Seeking help w/farm & livestock from a country-savvy someone. Opportunity to grow flowers for profit at on-site farmstand! Furnished upstairs BR. $650/month + $50 for utilities. No smoking. Pets considered. 802-863-5625 or HomeShareVermont.org for application. Interview, references, background checks required. EHO.

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