Food Justice Assistant

The Center for Wellbeing and Happiness (CWBH) is seeking a part-time Food Justice Assistant to support our community food access and food justice efforts! CWBH, an initiative of the Lower East Side Girls Club (LESGC), provides free programs to Lower East Side community members of all generations and genders. Reporting to the Food Justice Manager, the Food Justice Intern will support the day-to-day operations of our food pantry and Food Farmacy, as well as community engagement and food distribution efforts.

This is a part-time position of approximately 10 hours per week
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For over two decades, the Girls Club has offered innovative nutrition, food justice, urban farming, and culinary education. Since the start of the pandemic, we have deepened our impact through our food distribution efforts serving our community. In response to rising food insecurity, the Girls Club launched a food pantry in March 2020 to offer shelf-stable items, fresh produce, and proteins to families and individuals in need.

Today, our food access programs provide healthy food and resources to hundreds of Lower East Side community members each week.

• Support the daily operations of the food pantry and Food Farmacy, working closely with the Food Justice Manager
• Assist with receiving, unloading, shelving, stocking, organizing, and distributing food deliveries
• Along with pantry staff, maintain accurate food inventory and help organize pantry and storage spaces
• Support pantry clients with respect, dignity, and discretion, helping to create a welcoming space of abundance and wellbeing
• Assist with pantry distribution, including client check-in, bag preparation, client choice, and walk-in distribution
• Work with and support pantry volunteers during stock maintenance, pantry setup, food distribution, and cleanup
• Help monitor food quality, storage conditions, expiration dates, and overall food safety
• Support the development and distribution of healthy recipes and food resources using ingredients available through the pantry and Food Farmacy
• Assist with data collection, record keeping, and tracking pantry participation, inventory, and distribution
• Help identify opportunities to reduce food waste, improve pantry efficiency, and strengthen the client experience
• Support CWBH food justice programs, events, and other community programming as needed
• Communicate regularly with the Food Justice Manager regarding pantry operations, client needs, inventory, and challenges

• Positive Attitude – Maintain a positive, supportive, and constructive attitude and disposition with clients, staff, volunteers, and community partners
• Community – Ability to understand and respond to community needs while respecting the history, culture, and diversity of the Lower East Side
• Food Justice – Understanding of food insecurity, food access, health equity, and the ways that structural inequities impact access to healthy food
• Organization – Ability to manage inventory, maintain organized spaces and records, set priorities, and manage multiple responsibilities simultaneously
• Time Management – Ability to manage time effectively, work independently, and communicate proactively with the Food Justice Manager
• Communication – Ability to communicate clearly and respectfully with clients, volunteers, colleagues, and community partners
• Coordination – Ability to coordinate food distribution activities, volunteers, deliveries, and community resources
• Problem Solving – Ability to find creative and practical solutions to operational challenges, stretch resources, reduce waste, and adapt to changing circumstances
• Facilitation – Ability to share information, respond to questions, reinforce ideas, and adapt communication to different audiences
• Coopera…