Customer Asst.

Description: A bustling market day requires many hands and eyes to ensure a positive experience for vendors and customers alike. Customer Assistants help make this possible by filling in as needed. They serve as market guides at entrances to help customers locate what they need, walk through the market to keep an eye on customers needing assistance with carrying their purchases, are stationed in the parking lot to help direct traffic, and report any issues or concerns to market staff.

Requirements: Customer Assistants must be outgoing and enjoy meeting new people. They should be flexible, as their position might change from day to day, or within a single shift. They must have a keen sense of observation in that they notice the layout and availability of produce at the market on a given day, pick out and help customers or vendors needing assistance, and perceive and report potential problems to market staff. They must possess excellent customer service skills, a positive can-do attitude, the talent to be courteous to sometimes difficult people, and an ability to remember facts. All Fondy Food Center volunteers, interns and service learners are required to fill out a Volunteer Application and complete an interview/orientation and training prior to volunteering. Volunteers working at Fondy Farmers Market should be able to be on their feet for at least two hours at a time. 

Time Commitment: Two to four hour shifts are required, generally on Saturdays, but possibly on other market days.

*Evaluation

Description: In order for FFM to grow, it is important that the market staff collects data to measure the market’s impact on the community. This enables FFC to evaluate the success of the market from year to year, make improvements in the next season, and report accomplishments to funders. Data collected includes customer counts, customer spending and shopping habits, and customer feedback. Evaluation Assistants perform the critical role of collecting and organizing data that is essential for evaluation. The more Evaluation Assistants, the larger the sample size, and the more accurate the picture Fondy has of its impact. Volunteers with experience in creating population surveys, impact assessments or GIS maps – such as volunteers with backgrounds in economics, business, social sciences, urban planning, public health, or nonprofit administration – may assist in developing and implementing Fondy’s evaluation tools.

Requirements: Evaluation Assistants should be focused, organized and detail-oriented. Those who deal directly with customers must be comfortable interacting with a wide variety of populations. Survey script and materials are provided. Those who perform data entry must be proficient with computers and have some experience with Microsoft Excel, or a willingness to be trained on this software. Those who assist in developing Fondy’s evaluation tools must be experienced in creating population surveys, impact assessments, or GIS maps. All Fondy Food Center volunteers, interns and service learners are required to fill out a Volunteer Application and complete an interview/orientation and training prior to volunteering. Volunteers working at Fondy Farmers Market should be able to be on their feet for at least two hours at a time. 

Time Commitment: For positions at the farmers market, two to four hour shifts are required, generally on Saturdays, but possibly on other market days. Opportunities outside of the market have more flexible scheduling.

*Festivals

Description: To cultivate community and get people excited about eating and cooking with local foods, FFM hosts festivals throughout the market season. These add speakers, special children’s activities, contests, demonstrations, music and dance entertainment to the regular shopping atmosphere. Festival days are bustling, and Festival Assistants ensure that the day’s activities run smoothly for customers and vendors alike. They help set up and break down event equipment, perform customer service, keep the market clean, run children’s activities, and perform administrative tasks such as registering cooking contestants and collecting customer contact information. For a longer-term opportunity, volunteers/interns may assist with planning these special events. 

Requirements: As Fondy’s festivals tend to pack much activity into one day, Festival Assistants should be flexible and willing to fill several roles. They should be able to perform physical work and be on their feet for two to four hours. The position may involve some early hours on Saturday mornings. Volunteers/interns interested in planning events should be motivated, highly organized, and have good written and oral communication skills. They should be able to manage projects independently and work well with diverse populations. All Fondy Food Center volunteers, interns and service learners are required to fill out a Volunteer Application and complete an interview/orientation and training prior to volunteering. Volunteers working at Fondy Farmers Market should be able to be on their feet for at least two hours at a time.

Fondy’s annual festivals are generally as follows: 

• Opening Day Celebration & BBQ Cook-off – the fourth Saturday of June 
• Greens Throw-down – the fourth Saturday of July 
• Eat Local Celebration – the second Saturday of September
   

Time Commmitment: For positions at the farmers market, two to four hour shifts are required, generally on Saturdays, but possibly on other market days. Opportunities outside of the market have more flexible scheduling.

*Food Crew

Description: Providing culinary education about the types of produce sold at the market is an important goal for Fondy. Holding outdoor cooking demonstrations and giving away samples requires many hands. Market-based culinary programs like Taste the Season cooking education workshops, tasting stations, and cooking demos require Food Crew volunteers to serve in one or more ways. Volunteers may provide assistance in the hands-on preparation of food, which involves helping to set up and break down a mobile kitchen and prep produce to be used in a demonstration. Volunteers may also assist in the distribution of prepared food samples, recipes and culinary information to market customers, which involves performing customer service and communicating about cooking with locally grown produce. Finally, Food Crew volunteers with culinary savvy may lead on-site cooking demonstrations by working with FFC staff to develop seasonal recipes that use locally grown produce from FFM.

Requirements: Food Crew volunteers should have a passion for food, some cooking experience, and an interest in local agriculture and seasonal eating. A brief training about preparing the recipes is provided to volunteers so that they may help to educate customers. Volunteers working with customers should have excellent customer service skills and an ability to convey information and answer questions about cooking with produce found at the market. Volunteers should be able to stand for three to four hours, although accommodations might be arranged for those who cannot. Taste the Season takes place at FFM on Saturdays from 9am – noon, beginning the fourth Saturday of June and continuing through the end of September, and possibly into October (weather willing). All Fondy Food Center volunteers, interns and service learners are required to fill out a Volunteer Application and complete an interview/orientation and training prior to volunteering. Volunteers working at Fondy Farmers Market should be able to be on their feet for at least two hours at a time. 

Tiime Commitment: For positions at the farmers market, two to four hour shifts are required, generally on Saturdays, but possibly on other market days. Opportunities outside of the market have more flexible scheduling.

Food Finder

Description: To get the word out about all Fondy has to offer, market staff and volunteers need to stay on top of what produce is in season and available at the market, and what it costs. This ensures the best customer service, and enables market staff to communicate Fondy’s selection to food businesses, such as restaurants and grocers. Food Finder volunteers perform regular surveys of Fondy’s produce selection to discover what is in season and what it costs. Because of the diversity of Fondy’s farmers and customers, produce sold at the market is representative of the world’s cuisines, and market staff must keep abreast of any foods new to the market. As a Food Finder, you will surely encounter vegetables you’ve never before tasted! A result of their intimate knowledge of Fondy’s selection and layout, Food Finder volunteers may also be asked to volunteer as Customer Assistants, helping customers to locate produce throughout the market.

Requirements: Food Finder volunteers should be focused, organized and detail-oriented. Produce seasonality and price survey tools are provided. As performing these surveys may involve interacting with farmers, Food Finder volunteers should feel comfortable dealing with immigrant farmers and possess patience when communicating with those who do not speak English as a first language. Those who double as Customer Assistants must possess excellent customer service skills, a positive can-do attitude, the talent to be courteous to sometimes difficult people, and an ability to remember facts. All Fondy Food Center volunteers, interns and service learners are required to fill out a Volunteer Application and complete an interview/orientation and training prior to volunteering. Volunteers working at Fondy Farmers Market should be able to be on their feet for at least two hours at a time. 

Time Commitment: Two to four hour shifts are required, generally on Saturdays, but possibly on other market days. 

Groups

Description: Is your place of worship, workplace or organization looking for a fun group volunteer project? If so, please contact the Market Manager to arrange an opportunity. You will likely find yourself outdoors, either assisting customers and staff during the Saturday market, or grooming the market in preparation for market days. Projects might include litter cleanups, maintenance, and beautification.

Requirements: Group Project volunteers must be able to perform physical work and be on their feet for two to four hours. Group project volunteers will receive an orientation and brief training the day of their project. All Fondy Food Center volunteers, interns and service learners are required to fill out a Volunteer Application and complete an interview/orientation and training prior to volunteering. Volunteers working at Fondy Farmers Market should be able to be on their feet for at least two hours at a time. 

Time Commitment: For positions at the farmers market, two to four hour shifts are required, generally on Saturdays, but possibly on other market days. Opportunities outside of the market have more flexible scheduling.

Info. Booth

Description: “Where can I buy heirloom tomatoes?” “When is watermelon coming into season?” “How can I become a vendor?” These are just a sampling of the questions that volunteers and staff at the Information Booth answer every market day. If you want to learn about the inner workings of the market and hang out in a fun and interesting place in the center of it all, this is the job for you. Information Booth Assistants may also be asked to help market staff by counting tokens used to purchase from Fondy vendors, inventorying merchandise, performing market set-up or take-down, doing general cleaning as needed, and performing customer service away from the Information Booth.

Requirements: Information Booth Assistants must be outgoing and enjoy meeting new people. They must have excellent customer service skills, a positive can-do attitude, the talent to be courteous to sometimes difficult people, good attention to detail and an ability to remember many facts. Volunteers should be able to be on their feet for some period of time, although sitting is permitted. All Fondy Food Center volunteers, interns and service learners are required to fill out a Volunteer Application and complete an interview/orientation and training prior to volunteering. Volunteers working at Fondy Farmers Market should be able to be on their feet for at least two hours at a time. 

Time Commitment: Two to four hour shifts are required, generally on Saturdays, but possibly on other market days.

*Marketing

Description: Getting out the word about all Fondy has to offer is crucial in building a good base of vendors and customers. Marketing and Outreach Assistants help to post and distribute posters, postcards and brochures throughout the community. They might research outreach venues and create databases of area churches, businesses, schools and organizations for outreach purposes. They might also create PowerPoint presentations, display boards and tabling materials, and conduct community presentations and outreach. Volunteers who have experience in public relations, marketing, writing/editing, graphic or web page design may contribute their skills to create signage, posters, brochures, postcards, billboards, web-based materials, press releases and other marketing tools. Volunteers who have experience in business and marketing may create and implement market research and produce recommendations for Fondy’s future growth.

Requirements: These depend upon the particular job. Personal transportation would be useful when volunteering to post and distribute marketing materials throughout the community. An interest in learning about and supporting the mission and programs of FFC is essential. Volunteers performing outreach or market research surveys should have good interpersonal communication skills. Volunteers developing marketing materials, strategies and research should have some prior relevant experience. All Fondy Food Center volunteers, interns and service learners are required to fill out a Volunteer Application and complete an interview/orientation and training prior to volunteering. Volunteers working at Fondy Farmers Market should be able to be on their feet for at least two hours at a time. 

Time Commtiment: For positions at the farmers market, two to four hour shifts are required, generally on Saturdays, but possibly on other market days. Opportunities outside of the market have more flexible scheduling.

Office Asst.

Description: It's not just on market days that market staff is busy keeping the market humming, but all of the time. Assistance with mailings, data entry, and word processing is always welcome.  

Requirements: These depend upon the project. All Fondy Food Center volunteers, interns and service learners are required to fill out a Volunteer Application and complete an interview/orientation and training prior to volunteering.

Time Commitment: Varies with the project and is extremely flexible. 

Performer

Description: Many customers enjoy the atmosphere and community they find at FFM. Musicians, dancers and street performers help to make the market an attractive place to shop, mingle with neighbors and stay for a meal from one of the market’s talented prepared food vendors. Volunteer musicians, dancers and performers are needed at the market’s major festivals and on regular market days, especially Saturdays. They may collect tips from passersby.

Requirements: Volunteer Performers must demonstrate talent in musical, dance, street or other performance, and have some performance experience. The performance should enhance the shopping experience and be appropriate for all ages. Interested volunteers must discuss what they can offer—instrument(s) played; musical or performance genre; space, equipment and electricity needs; experience and availability—with market staff prior to acceptance as a volunteer. A brief demonstration of the volunteer’s typical performance may be requested. Volunteer Performers must feel comfortable with a diverse audience and should be able to interact politely with customers if needed. All Fondy Food Center volunteers, interns and service learners are required to fill out a Volunteer Application and complete an interview/orientation and training prior to volunteering. Volunteers working at Fondy Farmers Market should be able to be on their feet for at least two hours at a time. 

Time Commitment: A one or more hour shift is required, generally on Saturdays, but possibly on other market days.

*Youth Booth

Description: The Youth Booth provides food and agriculture-based education activities to children who shop at the market with their parents, enhancing the shopping experience for the whole family. Children 11 and under must be attended by a parent or guardian when visiting the Youth Booth. Volunteers may assist with the Youth Booth in one or more ways: 1) research and development of educational activities related to food and agriculture for a variety of ages and in various academic disciplines, and 2) implementation of Youth Booth activities with children at the Saturday FFM.

Requirements: Youth Booth volunteers must have experience working with children of various ages and an interest in teaching children about food and agriculture. Those working directly with children should be patient, caring, flexible, and have a sense of humor. They must be able to communicate effectively with both children and their parents or guardians. Fondy’s Youth Booth takes place at FFM on Saturdays from 9am – noon, beginning the fourth Saturday of June and continuing through the end of September, and possibly into October (weather willing). All Fondy Food Center volunteers, interns and service learners are required to fill out a Volunteer Application and complete an interview/orientation and training prior to volunteering. Volunteers working at Fondy Farmers Market should be able to be on their feet for at least two hours at a time. 

Time Commitment: For positions at the farmers market, two to four hour shifts are required, generally on Saturdays, but possibly on other market days. Opportunities outside of the market have more flexible scheduling.

*Other Skill

Description: Fondy is always looking for people with special skills to donate their time and talent. These may include professional experience or skills in the following: clerical/administrative work, accounting/bookkeeping, data entry/management, leadership/facilitation, research, data collection/evaluation, GIS, event planning, photography/videography, graphic/web page design, music performance, dance/street performance, visual arts/painting, cooking/food service, agribusiness, agricultural education, public relations/marketing, writing/editing, public speaking, education, childcare, grant writing/fundraising, computer programming, maintenance, plumbing/electrical, or foreign language/translation. Other skills are also welcome! If you think your talents could contribute to Fondy’s mission, please contact the Market Manager to become involved.

Requirements: These depend upon the offered skill and the job. All Fondy Food Center volunteers, interns and service learners are required to fill out a Volunteer Application and complete an interview/orientation and training prior to volunteering. Volunteers working at Fondy Farmers Market should be able to be on their feet for at least two hours at a time. 

Time Commitment: Varies with the project and is extremely flexible.