Little Tokyo Farmers’ Market Manager

Job Type: Location Type: On-site

 

Company Description

Starting this August, Food Access LA will be partnering with the Japanese American Cultural & Community Center to launch a new farmers’ market in the Isamu Noguchi Plaza. Thanks to the Los Angeles Food Equity Fund, we have secured funding to support the market’s startup and operational costs for its first year.

Founded in 1996, Food Access LA (Formerly known as SEE-LA) is a leading Southern California nonprofit organization, connecting people to healthy food, promoting economic development, and building sustainable food systems. We operate the largest network of mission-driven farmers’ markets in Los Angeles as well as programs that provide nutrition education, food access, and opportunities for small regional farms and local food businesses to thrive.

Our programs include:

• Operating a network of community-based certified farmers’ markets in Los Angeles.

• Piloting and championing programs that stretch public nutrition benefits for the purchase of fresh, nutrient-rich food.

• Providing extensive nutrition education programs to low-income families and to children in underserved schools, parks, and community-based sites.

• Coordinating food relief for local families struggling with food insecurity.

Job Description

TITLE: Manager, Little Tokyo Farmers’ Market

STATUS: Part-time, non-exempt (hourly)

REPORTS TO: Senior Manager, Northeast LA Farmers’ Markets

LOCATION: Hybrid: Telecommuting + On-Site at Farmers’ Markets + Office (one day/week)

COMPENSATION: $25-26/hr DOE

BENEFIT: Unlimited PTO, 403b retirement plan, access to Employee Assistance Program

SCHEDULE: 28 hours/week, flexible schedule, must be able to work Saturdays from 7:00 AM – 3:30 PM

Summary of Responsibilities

Each Market Manager is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the market they are assigned to including: recruitment and retention of farmer/vendors, social media marketing, communications with a variety of market stakeholders, and coordination of other market activities and programs, all under the direction of the Senior Manager, Northeast LA Farmers’ Markets. The position requires working Saturday from 7:00 AM – 3:30 PM with a 30-minute unpaid break and availability on Tuesdays for team meetings.

*This position is currently grant funded and funding is secured until August 2026. The Food Access LA and JACCC team will be continuously seeking funding for the Little Tokyo Farmers’ Market and the manager position but note that the permanency of this position is not guaranteed.

Little Tokyo Farmers’ Market (Saturday from 7:00 AM- 3:30 PM)

Leads regulation and compliance including but not limited to:

• Enforce Food Access LA rules and other pertinent Regional, State, and Federal laws and regulations (Direct Marketing, California Retail Food Code, etc.)

• Communicate market policies, activities, and rules to all vendors

• Work with onsite security to resolve + deescalate emergencies, complaints, and requests from vendors, customers and community partners

• Oversees vendor stall placement

Oversees market staff with the following market day tasks:

• Physical set-up and take-down of market

• Maintain market grounds

• Distribute Load Lists, market memos, and other market correspondence to market vendors

• Maintain market supply inventory

• Maintain, organize and tidy up the market storage space

• Operate information booth

• Sell market / Food Access LA merchandise periodically

• Assure that the market site is clean once the market is closed and vendors have left

Facilitates effective market administration:

• Ensures all vendor complete required paperwork and stall fee payment at the end of each market day

• Update social media (Instagram feed and stories, Facebook, Twitter) with relevant market news, vendor updates, seasonal finds, etc.

• Provide support for special events such as food demonstrations, cultural celebrations, book signings, etc.

• Organize and maintain weekly market supplies

Office / Work From Home (2.5 weekdays)

• Manage weekly market accounting and reconciling (in office required):

• Process all load lists from the previous market day.

• Reconcile and submit all forms of payment including cash, check, EBT, Market Match, and WIC.

• Complete weekly market day sales and redemption reports.

• Organize and replenish EBT / Market Match supplies.

• Communicate with vendors and market stakeholders regarding market policies, activities, and rules.

• Maintain vendor files and other administrative tasks as needed.

• Work with Food Access LA’s Senior Manager, Northeast LA Farmers’ Markets to secure all necessary permits for operation of a Certified Farmers’ Market.

• Collaborate with state and federal agencies to ensure vendor compliance as needed.

• Develop digital and print promotional materials.

• Promote the farmers’ market on social media and within the community, including presentations to schools, local businesses, churches, and other community-based organizations.

• Organize market events + programming such as book signings, food demos, etc.

• Interface with community leaders, elected officials, and community stakeholders.

• Organize and attend farm, kitchen and studio visits as needed.

• Participate in Food Access LA Farmers’ Market Operations and other Food Access LA initiatives:

• Attend regular meetings including, but not limited to:

• Weekly supervision meetings with Senior Manager, Northeast LA Farmers’ Markets

• Monthly Market Manager meetings

• Monthly Food Access LA staff meetings

• Other meetings and trainings as required

• Participate in internal working groups and other collaborative activities as time permits

• Fundraise on behalf of Food Access LA and support with grant acquisitions

Qualifications

REQUIRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• A minimum of three (3) years of relevant professional experience (retail, customer service, non-profit programming, event planning, community organizing, etc.)

• A working knowledge of basic business and food retail operations, experience working with small- business owners, and/or past experience owning a small business.

• Experience with executing communications and community outreach strategies.

• Experience managing multiple tasks and working with competing deadlines.

• Can work independently, organized and detail oriented.

• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office, Zoom, Social Media apps and other technology platforms.

• Comfortable handling cash.

• Must be able to work Tuesdays and Saturdays.

DESIRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Ability to read and write in English and Japanese strongly preferred, Spanish proficiency also desirable.

• Community centered work in and around Little Tokyo.

• Experience working at a Certified Farmers’ Market (vendor, management, staff, etc)

• Experience working with underserved, low-income communities with awareness and integrity.

• Knowledge of standards and compliance and other protocol related to the Department of Agriculture, Department of Public Health and other local, state and federal agencies.

Additional Information

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

• Open PTO and 40 hours Sick Time

• Employee Assistance Program

• Option for 403b Retirement Plan

PHYSICAL DEMAND AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, sit; talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone keyboard, reach, stoop, and kneel to install computer equipment. Most work will take place indoors, but some work will take place outside in rainy, hot, or cold weather conditions.

May perform related duties as assigned by management.

DISCLAIMER: The above is intended to describe the general contents and requirements for the performance of this job. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities, or requirements.

Food Access LA is an equal opportunity employer. Food Access LA makes hiring decisions without regard to race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other category protected by law. We are committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce and strongly encourage applications from all qualified applicants, including those who belong to groups that have been historically underrepresented.

Opportunity is open until filled. All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

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