West Chester Food Co-op - Food Co-op Outreach and Program Coordinator

Co-op / Organization: 
West Chester Food Co-op
Location: 
West Chester, Pennsylvania
Type of Organization: 
Food/Grocery
Brief Description of Organization: 
We are a food co-op in development; building membership so that we can open a co-op grocery. Our mission is to enhance the well being of the people of West Chester by promoting healthy and mindful eating, improving access to sustainably produced food, helping those in need to secure quality food, advancing sustainable and humane agriculture, supporting local farms, and strengthening our community through cooperative enterprise. We operate several food and outreach related programs: 1) A local food program that allows people to order local food directly from farms and pick it up in West Chester 2) A "Pay What You Can" program that allows low income households to purchase local food at any price they can afford 3) An outreach and education booth at our local farm market. We also host numerous education and outreach events throughout the year.
Website: 
http://www.wcfood.coop/
Number of Members: 
213
Number of Staff: 
1
Dress Code: 
Casual
Internship Position Title: 
Food Co-op Outreach and Program Coordinator
Internship Position Duties: 

The intern will assume significant management responsibilities for three programs which we operate Spring-Summer-Fall: a weekly outreach and education booth at the local farm market, a Co-op sponsored Local Food Program that aggregates access to local farm products, and a “Pay What You Can” program that subsidizes local food for needy families. This position is an opportunity to craft creative approaches to engaging the public, Co-op member-owners, and local farmers in building a more vibrant and thriving local food system. Chester County is the second largest agricultural producer in Pennsylvania with a growing community of producers dedicated to certified organic, pastured and grass fed animal husbandry, and craft food production.

 
Position Training: 

The intern will be supervised by the Executive Director and will collaborate with Co-op Board and/or Committee members, and/or a staff member, depending on the nature of the work. Training as needed will be provided on the software tools that we currently employ. Although mentoring and supervision will be provided appropriate for the duties that the intern assumes, this position is best suited to an individual accustomed to assessing situational needs and driving their own knowledge and skill acquisition, for which the Co-op will provide guidance and support.

 
Skills Development & Learning: 

Skills will be developed in: 1) Engaging the public in cooperative development 2) Recruiting, training and managing volunteers 3) Needs assessments 4) Program management 5) Cooperative governance process

 
Other details of working conditions: 
Own laptop preferred but can be supplied if needed. The Co-op operates in a walkable community accessable by public transit.
Compensation ($): 
$100, paid weekly
Is Room Included?: 
Yes
Working Hours: 
8:00 AM to 2:00 PM on Saturdays plus additional flexible hours.
Total Hours of Work Per Week: 
32