POSITION: Food Access Assistant

For Immediate Hire

Hours: max. 30 hours/week, with the potential to increase

Monday through Saturday, please note The Bulb operates in varying capacities 50 weeks per year. This takes into account a midyear and an end of year week-long break

Compensation: Commensurate with experience and qualifications

OVERVIEW

The Bulb is a nonprofit grassroots social justice organization dedicated to closing gaps in fresh produce access for underserved communities. We believe that nutrient-rich, whole foods are fundamental to food security, sustainability and improved community health outcomes. Through our mobile farmers markets, we bring fresh fruits and vegetables directly into food-insecure neighborhoods, eliminating barriers and fostering long-term resilience within Charlotte’s food system.

The Food Access Assistant plays a vital role in supporting The Bulb’s mission to provide dignified food access, promote sustainability, and foster community wellness. This position will assist in the seamless execution of mobile markets and food operations. Beyond operations, the Food Access Assistant contributes to content creation and communications, helping to amplify The Bulb’s impact through storytelling, social media, and community engagement. The role also plays a key part in nutrition education by developing accessible materials and interactive learning opportunities that connect food choices to health outcomes.

This position is ideal for someone passionate about food justice, sustainability, and community-driven solutions. The ideal candidate is hands-on, adaptable, and eager to collaborate with staff, volunteers, and partners to drive The Bulb’s mission forward.

The Bulb looks for team members who are proactive self-starters and who work well independently as well as collaboratively. Please note that this is a physically demanding job requiring the ability to lift up to 50 lbs. 

This position reports to the Leadership Team.

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES

Market Operations Support:

  • Assist with the setup, breakdown and seamless execution of mobile markets, ensuring efficient operations and a dignified food access experience for the community.

  • Uphold food sustainability principles by minimizing waste, optimizing market logistics and ensuring rescued food is distributed effectively.

  • Lead and empower volunteers to actively engage with market guests and partners, cultivating a welcoming environment that advances food education and strengthens community wellness.

Food Operations Support:

  • Support the Food Operations Manager in coordinating food distribution, sorting and inventory management to maximize efficiency and reduce waste.

  • Pick up fresh food donations from farm and grocery partners, prioritizing sustainability and food equity partnerships.

  • Assess food quality, sorting for freshness and composting unusable items to support zero-waste initiatives.

  • Track and log rescued food for impact reporting and deliver surplus to approved food-access partners to maximize community benefit.

Content & Communications Support:

  • Support and contribute to Substack/blog posts, newsletters and other external marketing materials that educate, inspire action and provide thought leadership on food justice and sustainable food systems.

  • Support The Bulb's social media plan with content that informs the audience about food sustainability and justice while showcasing its impact.

  • Write and brainstorm content for marketing materials, outreach and internal communications to enhance program visibility and community engagement.

  • Collaborate with staff members, volunteers, community members and partners to capture authentic stories and testimonials highlighting the impact of relationships.

  • Represent The Bulb at community, corporate and fundraising events to increase organizational visibility and share its mission, impact and strengthen community connections.

Nutrition & Family Health Education Support:

  • Work closely with the Operations & Finance Director to create engaging and accessible nutrition education materials that highlight unique and seasonal produce available at markets.

  • Support the development and implementation of educational opportunities that empower market guests to make informed food choices, connecting the dots between nutrition, preventive healthcare, and common health concerns.

  • Assist in designing interactive demonstrations, workshops, or digital resources that make nutritional education practical and culturally relevant for the communities served.

  • Collaborate with healthcare professionals, dietitians, or community partners to ensure educational materials align with evidence-based nutritional guidance and address local health challenges.

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Maintain Clean & Organized Workspaces: Ensure the Barn, cooler and company vehicles remain organized and sanitary by:

  • Appropriately disposing of trash, compost and recycling

  • Sanitizing surfaces and maintaining cleanliness in all storage and work areas

  • Organizing supplies for efficiency and accessibility

  • Washing tablecloths and rinsing bins to uphold hygiene standards

Team Collaboration & Skill Sharing:

  • Foster a positive, collaborative and service-focused work environment where team members actively support one another.

  • Encourage a culture of shared learning by offering insights, best practices and practical skills to optimize workflow and strengthen overall team effectiveness.

Time Management & Compliance:

  • Track and submit hours accurately for timely timesheet processing

  • Maintain hours at or below 60 per pay period unless explicitly authorized by the Executive Director

  • Proactively communicate with the Executive Director regarding any concerns or challenges related to scheduling or workload

REQUIREMENTS 

  • Bachelor's Degree

  • 1 year of professional work experience

  • Experience in food justice, hunger relief and nonprofit programming (preferred, not required)

  • Proactive, positive, solution-oriented and collaborative attitude 

  • Strong communication and time management skills

  • Outgoing personality, a strong public speaker

  • Exceptionally organized with the ability to juggle multiple responsibilities, effectively prioritize responsibilities and task shift in a fast-paced environment

  • Proficiency in Google Suite/MS Office

  • Experience in Canva

  • Knowledge of AirTable or similar databases (preferred, not required)

  • Ability to lift up to 50lbs 

  • Valid driver’s license and clean driving record 

  • Ability to work outside in varying weather conditions

  • Access to reliable transportation and technology (cell phone, computer or tablet)

  • Conversational to fluent in Spanish (highly preferred, not required)

To apply, email us with your resume, a cover letter and 3+ references that include a current or former supervisor!