Organizational Background

Sole Food is a non-profit, social enterprise that provides urban agriculture employment and training opportunities for Vancouver’s inner-city residents. Community residents are trained and employed to install and manage small production farms on leased urban lots. Produce grown from the farms is washed, cooled, and consolidated at a central location, then sold to restaurants, at farmers markets and distributed to community organizations. With few significant food production farms within the city, the project provides modeling and education opportunities to a population that has little connection to the natural world or to their food sources. The farm provides employees with a place to learn new skills and an opportunity for self-growth. Our goal is to revitalize neighbourhoods, provide meaningful employment to individuals with multiple challenges, supply fresh food to inner city residents, and present a successful self-supporting model of high quality innovative agriculture within the urban context.

Position Description

The Retail Sales Assistant will work under the direction of the Granville Island Farm Stand Manager to assist with the sales of produce at the Granville Island Farm Stand. This person will conduct opening and closing duties, merchandising of displays, providing customer service, cleaning duties, handling of cash, and tracking of product sales.

Specific responsibilities

Provide excellent customer service; this includes friendly, welcoming and engaging communication to all customers while offering suggestions and knowledge about the product and Sole Food Farms in general
Maintain open communication with community, staff and Manager
Set up at open, tear down at close, and management of stand
Merchandising, processing and maintenance of produce and displays
Maintain accurate records of all sales activities and inventory

Skills and Requirements

Minimum 2-3 years sales experience (with food and/or in a non-profit environment would be an asset)
MUST be comfortable working alone
Quick learner
Eye for detail and organization
Cash handling and computer experience
Enjoys working and speaking with the public
Outgoing and conversational attitude (a MUST)
Able to lift heavy objects (up to 50 lbs.), including continually moving and shifting heavy objects for open and close set-up/tear down duties
Strong interpersonal skills
Sense of humour; patience; positive outlook; flexible; takes initiative
Motivated to work in the local food industry and support a growing organization and newly emerging retail food stand – must be committed to the cause and helping the food stand grow
Foodsafe certificate would be an asset
Experience working with vulnerable and marginalized populations and/or people living with barriers would be an asset

Position begins immediately, approximately 12-24 hours per week. Benefits include an hourly wage of $10.50; and deep discounts on produce.

Please send resume and cover letter to:
melanie@solefoodfarms.com – please indicate your availability.
Please apply by June 7th – applications will be reviewed and interviews scheduled as applications are received; therefore, we suggest applying sooner than later.