Farm to Institutional Sales

Spork Food Hub was started by Hope Sippola and Shayne Zurilgen (co-owners of Fiery Ginger Farm) in the middle of the COVID-19 Pandemic as a response to supply chain challenges that schools in the Sacramento Region were facing.

Created as a solution to ease school food procurement, Spork Food Hub has since expanded to supply fresh local produce to dozens of school districts, universities, food security programs, hospitals, and other institutions. We work with over 120 (and counting!) local family farms to provide nutrient-dense and sustainable produce to customers. We also offer pre-cut and processed seasonal items.

Spork Food Hub exists to improve access to local food for those who need it most. By partnering with local farms and directing the produce to local nutrition programs we are making a difference by keeping these foods and dollars in our communities. Learn more about our farmers.

Spork Food Hub is the culmination of Fiery Ginger Farm’s work in farming, education, community engagement and advocacy. We strive to contribute to a more equitable and sustainable food system that supports well being, economic empowerment and community vitality for future generations.

Spork food hub exists to create access to food for those who need it most, and open new markets for family farms. Our main customers are school districts, state prisons, food banks, community distribution programs . Our farm to Institution sales position would strengthen relationships with existing school districts and work with the General Manager, salesperson, and procurement team to expand to new school districts across the state.

The ideal would be :

• Self motivated
• Flexible – we’re growing and stretching in new ways every day!
• Experience with school food programs and requirements a plus
• Have a willingness to learn new things
• Have excellent customer service skills
• Knowledge of farming, produce, cooking, and seasonality
• Previous sales experience a plus- but we will teach you the Spork way. All of our customers are strongly committed to the mission of improving food systems, food access and supporting farmers. Each customer has specific needs and goals. We meet each customer where they are in their path to sustainable sourcing.
• Our sales team is dedicated to building relationships, and helping institutions meet their goals.

• Build relationships with school nutrition staff to determine needs
• Work with our procurement team and general manager to determine pricing and volumes to forward plan with school districts as well as solicit weekly sales
• Call school nutrition staff weekly to solicit sales and review usage/get feedback
• Learn our Local Food Market place software
• Work with our general manager and other sales personnel to identify new school and other institutional customers, build relationships, and strengthen relationships with existing customers.

• Weekly produce share
• Company bonus plan
• Vacation and Sick Time: 6 paid sick days per year. 5 paid vacation days after one year and 10 paid vacation days after two years
• Retirement Plan:
  Cal Savers

Salaried position at $70,304