Company description

About Fresh Start Farms
Fresh Start Farms is a collective brand representing the entrepreneurial farmers participating in the New American Sustainable Agriculture Program (NASAP), a program of the Organization for Refugee & Immigrant Success (ORIS). As a project of ORIS, Fresh Start Farms supports refugee and immigrant farmers in building successful farm businesses while increasing access to fresh, local food across New Hampshire.

ORIS is a non-profit, community-based organization that helps refugees and immigrants achieve self-sufficiency and leadership in their new communities. ORIS provides training, resources, and opportunities through sustainable agriculture, food access, victim advocacy, youth development, and workforce readiness programs.

You will be working at the Fresh Start Food Hub, which opened in 2020. The Hub manages the aggregation, marketing, and distribution of produce grown by Fresh Start Farmers and other local producers. We distribute food through a CSA FarmShare, mobile markets, wholesale partnerships, a retail market, and a variety of food access initiatives.

Our mission-driven team works collaboratively to support our farmers and customers. Team members bring diverse backgrounds, unique perspectives, and a shared passion for building a more equitable food system. Working at Fresh Start Farms means making a meaningful impact—not only in the local food economy, but also in the lives of refugee and immigrant farmers and the broader community.

Fresh Start Farms offers a collaborative and supportive work environment with opportunities to learn, grow, and take on leadership roles. Whether developing new skills or managing complex projects, team members gain experience that builds lasting career skills while contributing to positive change in our food system and community.

Job description

Location: 150 Spruce Street Manchester, NH 03103

Terms: Full-time, Seasonal, May-November

Compensation: Compensation will be commensurate with applicant’s skills and experience, from $18-22/hour with benefits (medical, dental, accrued paid time off, paid family and medical leave, and paid holidays)

Reports to: Fresh Start Farms Director

Job Overview: The Operations Associate will play an essential role in implementing Fresh Start Food Hub programming focused on food procurement and distribution. This multifaceted role will include receiving and packaging produce, packing orders, delivering product to customers, operating the Fresh Start Market, supporting inventory management and our Mobile Market operations. This is an exciting opportunity to be part of an innovative, impactful, and community-driven organization, while building a more vibrant, inclusive, and thriving local food system.  

Key Responsibilities:

• Receive produce, ensuring that it meets Fresh Start Farms’ quality standards.
• Complete tasks as needed such as washing, weighing, bagging/bunching, and packaging produce
  Pack produce into boxes according to daily and weekly orders.
• Operate retail market and complete tasks such as running the cash register, helping customers, conducting inventory counts, and daily opening and closing procedures.
• Utilize inventory, POS, and CSA subscription software platforms to efficiently manage inventory, vendor orders and invoice information.
• Assist fulfillment for wholesale customer pick-up and delivery to FarmShare customers.
• Maintain food safety protocols in accordance with federal, state and local regulations.
• Maintain a clean and safe working environment at the Hub; this includes but is not limited to sweeping, sanitizing, washing dishes and mopping floors.
• Provide personable and proactive service to all customers, community partners, and other stakeholders.
• Assist with Mobile Market Prep and Operations
• Potential to run deliveries for Healthy Corners Program and FarmShare.
• Assist with other Fresh Start Farms duties and special projects as assigned.

 

Requirements: 

• A valid driver’s license and a proven track record of operating a vehicle safely with no major violations on your record; clean background check.
• Comfort driving a large van/truck.
• Able to work:
• Monday - Friday
• Able to start as early as 7am on Wednesday and Thursday
• Ability to lift and carry a minimum of 50 pounds and ability to load and unload trucks quickly and efficiently.
• Proficiency with Google Workspace (Gmail, Drive, Sheets, Calendar), and comfort with other technology platforms and software, including troubleshooting issues as they arise.
• Strong time management and customer service skills.
• High level of attention to detail and organizational skills.

 

Preferred Experience and Skills:

• Work experience in inventory management, driving/delivery, customer service, agriculture/farming, non-profits, or other relevant areas.
• Food safety certification such as Always Food Safe, AA Food Handler, 360 Training or willingness to gain.
• Proficiency in another language will be considered an asset (Kinyarwanda, Kirundi, Maay Maay, Nepali, Spanish, Swahili etc.).  Multilingual candidates are highly encouraged to apply.
• Candidates with first-hand or lived experience in new American communities are especially encouraged to apply.
• A demonstrated interest in food systems, sustainable agriculture, community development, and/or issues impacting American communities. 

ORIS is committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity, or Veteran status. 

Compensation

this position is: hourly, varies DOE, $18.00 - $22.00

Application instructions

Deadline

May 30, 2025