JOB TITLE: Senior Farmer’s Market Nutrition Program Intern
 

DEPARTMENT: Partner Relations & Services REPORTS TO: Partner Services Manager
 

LOCATION: Brooklyn Park, as well as at Metro-Based Community Organizations
 

STATUS: Non-Exempt (Hourly)
 

HOURS: 15- 20 hours/week, within 8am-4pm business hours.
 

DURATION: mid-June to mid-August.
 

Position Summary

The Commodity Supplemental Food Program partners with the Department of Agriculture to provide low-income seniors with the ability to purchase fresh, locally grown produce from farmers’ markets in their communities. This internship gives hands-on experience in a fast-paced environment by administering a federal program. Interns provide direct service to clients during the distribution of commodity boxes and farmer’s market coupons. Coupons are used at participating Farmer’s Market for participants to purchase fresh nutritious produce. Interns will gain behind the scenes experience with client registration, partner relations, and administrative work, during an outdoor and offsite setting. Interns may also design a project of their choosing to address program needs with guidance from the Partner Services Manager.
 

DUTIES
 

• Assist staff with implementation of the Department of Agriculture’s Farmer’s Market Coupon Program.
• Distribution of coupons to seniors through the Brooklyn Park Client Services space
• Distribution of coupons at distribution sites around Twin Cities Metro as assigned
• Efficiently answer and return customer phone calls, make reminder phone calls, and record missed calls as needed, exhibiting a high degree of customer service.
• Assist program staff in the completion of monthly paperwork, including processing client paperwork and data entry as needed.
• Perform client intake procedures as needed; determine eligibility/recertify current participants for CSFP, and make referrals for SNAP, 211, Fare for All, local food shelves, Senior Linkage Line, and any other applicable programs.
• Facilitate the smooth, efficient and timely distribution of program food and any additional items at the drive-thru and external sites as assigned (food boxes are 30-35 pounds each).
• Option to design and implement self-directed project, addressing an identified program need; work with Partner Services Manager to refine.
• Receive and respond to all types of client and organizational communication (phone, email, walk-in) in a polite and timely manner, facilitating the solution of problems or dissemination of information as needed.
   

Minimum Requirements
 

• Ability to adjust to changing priorities and to work in a fast paced environment
• Willingness to interact patiently and empathetically with clients
• Appreciation of cultural and ethnic differences
• Initiative to identify and act on problems
• Outstanding time-management and organizational skills
   

Preferred Qualifications

• Applicants who are bilingual in Hmong, Somali, Russian, or Vietnamese are strongly encouraged to apply
   

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OBJECTIVES
 

• Making concrete, positive changes in the food security of households in Minnesota
• Increase personal comfort and confidence with direct service to diverse and low-income populations
• Learn to work independently while serving an integral role within a broader team
• Gain exposure to the inner workings of a successful non-profit, as well as to federal nutrition programs
• Receive guidance and feedback in resume and cover letter writing, networking and interview skills