UpRoot Colorado (UpRoot) increases the nutrition security of Colorado residents by harvesting and redistributing surplus, nutrient-dense foods while supporting the resilience of farmers.

We envision a mindful, humane and equitable Colorado food system where everyone has access to locally-produced, nutrient-dense foods; where people are more connected to the sources of our food; and where farmers are valued for who they are: a cornerstone of our society.

• Job Status: 20-27.5 hours per week, early June-early November, 2024
• Job Term: This role is currently an hourly (non-exempt), grant-funded seasonal position, ending in early November, 2024. There is the potential for an evolution of this role into a year-round and/or multi-year position and UpRoot staff are working to realize this goal
• Pay: $24 per hour
• Preferred Start Date: June 1, 2024
• Current benefits: Flexible work schedule. Healthcare stipend (QSEHRA). Colorado SecureSavings Roth IRA. Tech stipend. Professional development fund. Mileage reimbursement of $0.60 per mile for role-specific duties. 

UpRoot’s Gleaning & Food-systems Coordinators are responsible for our Gleaning Initiative in specific regions of Colorado: conducting outreach; connecting with farm partners and potential farm partners; connecting with fruit-tree stewards (i.e., people with fruit trees on land surrounding their homes and/or businesses); recruiting and managing volunteers; coordinating and leading gleaning events to harvest surplus food from local farms and fruit trees; collaborating with hunger-relief/social service agencies to distribute gleaned food; performing organizing, equity, and advocacy work; writing, editing and sharing communications; educating the community about our food system.

Primary responsibilities include:

Outreach & Communications

• Implementing outreach to farmers, fruit-tree stewards, and hunger-relief/social service agencies through emails, phone calls and in-person visits in order to build relationships and expand UpRoot’s positive impact through an expanded network for gleaning
• Conducting volunteer outreach/recruitment; communicating with regional volunteers weekly throughout the harvest season
• Expanding current gleaning and surplus-food-distribution efforts by introducing UpRoot’s work to entities with whom we have not yet partnered; including local businesses, houses of worship, foundations, civic-minded groups, schools and universities, and nonprofit organizations
• Taking photographs at gleaning events; coordinating with UpRoot team members to create event flyers and social media posts about past/upcoming events

Event Coordination & Volunteer Management 

• Communicating with producers on a weekly basis to determine what is available for gleaning and/or pick-up
• Organizing and leading gleaning events, including training and supervising volunteers and transporting food to hunger-relief organizations
• Implementing staff and volunteer safety and food-safety best practices at gleaning events
• Sharing educational information with volunteers on topics including food justice, local food systems, nutrition and food insecurity, and causes of food surplus and waste along the food supply chain (including in households)
• Coordinating the distribution of gleaned food in collaboration with hunger-relief/social service agencies
• Communicating with hunger-relief/social-service agencies to coordinate distribution of gleaned food
• Ensuring all physical program supplies and equipment are organized and maintained 

Data Tracking & Program Administration

• Ensuring all outreach and program data is tracked in Salesforce accurately and in a timely manner 
• Issuing tax-donation receipt form(s) to farmers 
• Providing program data for use in funding applications and reports
• Supporting program evaluation, including gathering feedback from farmers, fruit-tree stewards, volunteers, hunger-relief agencies, etc. 
• Basic administrative tasks including documenting activities, scheduling events, responding to inquiries, etc.

Advocacy & Coalition Building 

• Participating in working groups and coalitions, and cultivating collaborative partnerships to work toward shared goals
• Engaging in legislative advocacy by initiating relationships with elected officials

Other duties as assigned

• Attending weekly regional team “huddles” and individual meetings with co-director; monthly team meetings with UpRoot staff members from across Colorado
• UpRoot Colorado is a young yet growing organization. The Coordinator may be required to assist with tasks in addition to the responsibilities outlined above.

Must haves:

• A passion to establish food equity, food justice and positive food-systems change
• Organizing, campaigning or outreach experience (e.g., outreach to volunteers, farmers, customers, community groups, elected officials, etc.)
• Strong interpersonal, oral and written communication, and organizational skills
• Experience and comfort coordinating volunteers and speaking publicly
• Ability to think critically and creatively 
• An affinity to proactively work independently and comfortably in an entrepreneurial environment
• The ability to enthusiastically engage with people from diverse backgrounds to promote trust and collaboration
• Comfort working outdoors and in a variety of weather conditions
• The ability to lift 40 lbs. comfortably
• A valid driver’s license and reliable, personal transportation (you will be required to deliver gleaned food in your own vehicle)
• Comfort and proficiency with technology (such as Google Workspace, Salesforce, MailChimp, and Canva), and/or a willingness to learn about these technologies

Preferred:

• An entrepreneurial spirit and a flexible schedule
• Agricultural or food-systems experience 
• Food safety knowledge/experience
• An outgoing personality and can-do attitude
• Bilingual in English and Spanish
• Social media experience

UpRoot Colorado is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discriminatory practices against anyone on the basis of age, race, religion, national origin, disability, gender, sexual orientation, and any other protected category. We value—and are working to create—a culture of equity, honesty, transparency, gratitude, clear communication, respect, and continuous learning. We acknowledge that food justice is not achievable without racial justice.

Candidates must align with these values and want to contribute to the creation of a new status quo: an equitable food system where all enjoy access to nutrient-dense and locally-produced food, where farmers are valued and made economically whole, and agriculture contributes to the health of both people and our environment.

It is important that the communities we serve are centered in our work. Therefore, people of color and people who have experienced nutrition insecurity are encouraged to apply.

Compensation for this position is $24.00/hour.