Gleaning Assistant

Overview

Willing Hands’ Mission is to reduce food waste and expand equitable and reliable access to fresh food. Willing Hands grows, gleans, and recovers nourishing fresh food and distributes it for free to our neighbors in need through a network of approximately 80 human service organizations in the greater Upper Valley region of Vermont and New Hampshire.

The Gleaning Assistant will support Willing Hands’ Gleaning Program in partnership with the Gleaning Coordinator, Operations Manager, and Director of Programs. This position entails driving to and from partner farms, time in the fields of our partner farms and orchards, harvesting food for the community with volunteer crews. Additional time will be spent in the office ensuring accurate program data reporting, top-notch volunteer communications, partner relations, and supporting outreach and communications.

At times, the Gleaning Assistant will be asked to support the Garden Program and Operations Team.

Seasonal full-time temporary: 20 hrs/week starting May 1, 2026 and 40 hrs/wk June 1, 2026 - October 31, 2026.

• Supports the Gleaning Coordinator with executing the seasonal schedule of gleaning events.
• Coordinate, train, and manage volunteers in glean events at partner farms, private locations, and at the Willing Hands facility.
• Keep accurate records to ensure proper documentation of program data and help maintain inventory, proper upkeep of supplies, tools, and first aid materials needed for the gleaning program.

(Volunteer groups)

• Support and maintain positive, professional relationships with existing partner farms by serving as a consistent and reliable presence during gleaning activities.
• Conduct regular check-ins with farm partners during the growing season to confirm gleaning plans, address questions or concerns, and ensure smooth operations.
• Communicate clearly and promptly with farm partners and Willing Hands staff to coordinate glean schedules and expectations.
• Support the Outreach & Development Coordinator by capturing photos and short videos during gleaning activities, following organizational consent and media guidelines, for use in social media, newsletters, and print materials that highlight partner farms and gleaning impact.

• Assist with volunteer recruitment, onboarding, and engagement related to gleaning activities.
• Provide day-of support to volunteers during gleans by answering questions, demonstrating tasks as needed, and helping ensure volunteers understand safety and food-handling guidelines.
• Help create a welcoming and supportive environment for volunteers by offering guidance, encouragement, and clear information.
• Support volunteer safety by monitoring field conditions and flagging concerns to the Gleaning Coordinator or other staff.

• Assist with overseeing harvesting activities to help ensure produce is harvested, handled, and packed according to food safety standards and organizational practices.
• Help ensure harvested produce is kept clean, properly sorted, and packed to minimize damage and waste.
• Work collaboratively with the Gleaning Coordinator, Warehouse Coordinator, and Operations Manager to help ensure gleaning supplies (bins, bags, tools, PPE) are stocked, stored, and ready for use.
• Communicate gleaning details (crop type, estimated quantities, timing) to warehouse and operations staff to support storage, washing, and distribution planning.
• Assist with post-glean tasks as needed, including produce washing, bin and crate cleaning, and preparing gleaned produce for storage or delivery.

• Work with the Gleaning Coordinator to help maintain accurate records in Manifest (crop data) and POINT (glean scheduling and volunteer hours).
• Assist with tracking gleaned produce amounts, volunteer attendance, and farm partner site information to support internal and external reporting.
• Support outreach and communications efforts by helping create content for volunteer communications, recruitment materials, and special events.
• Perform other related…