Local Food, Community Gardens

The Stop Community Food Centre; Toronto; On-site; CAD 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

An established community-focused organization is seeking a passionate Coordinator to oversee community gardens and social enterprise programs. This role involves planning and facilitating unique gardening initiatives, ensuring sustainable practices, and engaging with community members and volunteers. The ideal candidate will have a strong commitment to food justice and social equity, along with experience in urban agriculture and community engagement. Join a vibrant team dedicated to making a positive impact in one of Toronto’s low-income neighborhoods, where your efforts will help build a healthier, more connected community through food and gardening.

Qualifications

• 1-2 years of experience in community gardening or urban agriculture.
• Strong skills in project coordination and working with diverse communities.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and maintain community gardens and grow spaces.
• Facilitate community programs and workshops related to gardening.
• Maintain accurate program records and support outreach efforts.

Skills

Project Coordination

Conflict Resolution

Community Engagement

Organic Farming

Sustainable Agriculture

Volunteer Management

Education

Food Handler Certificate

First Aid Training

Tools

Microsoft Office

OneDrive

Job description

The Stop Community Food Centre’s mission is to increase access to healthy food in a manner that maintains dignity, builds community, and challenges inequality. From its origins 40+ years ago as one of Canada's first food banks, The Stop has since grown into a vibrant community centre that uses food as a gateway to addressing many issues, including poverty, the environment, social isolation, and health in one of Toronto’s lowest-income neighbourhoods. The Stop is accredited by Imagine Canada for excellence in non-profit accountability, transparency, and governance.

The Opportunity:

We are looking for a candidate to coordinate and maintain multiple community gardens and grow-spaces. The successful candidate will also plan and facilitate several unique community garden and social enterprise programs, including a year-round Farmer's Market. The Coordinator will work under the supervision of the Green Barn Supervisor.

Key Duties & Responsibilities:

• Coordinate and maintain community gardens (e.g., Mashkikii’aki’ing Garden, Earlscourt Community Garden) and Green Barn grow spaces (e.g. Greenhouse).
• Coordinate and facilitate seasonal and year-round programming (e.g., Dig-In, Global Roots) and food-based social enterprise programming (e.g. Farmer's Market, 10-Metre Greens).
• Ensure gardens, greenhouse, kitchen, and community spaces are well-maintained and fully equipped.
• Maintain organic production in the greenhouse and gardens, ensuring proper seed starting, monitoring growth, pest management, watering, and harvesting.
• Support greenhouse and garden planning, including planting schedules, seed ordering, seedling production, and crop rotation.
• Coordinate seedling giveaways, including contacting community gardens and managing production/distribution.
• Maintain compost systems and ensure waste management aligns with sustainability goals.
• Facilitate involvement of other Stop programs (e.g., Healthy Beginnings, Community Advocacy) as well as outside groups and organizations in community gardens.
• Collaborate with the Kitchen team to incorporate garden produce into programming and food security initiatives (i.e. Drop-in).
• Other duties as assigned.

Volunteer & Community Support:

• Support facilitation of community and garden-based programs.
• Maintain collaborative communication with The Stop staff, local agencies, and community partners (e.g. CultureLink and NaMeRes).
• Connect volunteers and community members with external learning opportunities, community events, and resources.
• Work closely with the volunteer program to support and engage seasonal volunteers.

Event & Program Assistance:

• Organize and facilitate workshops, site visits, and special events (e.g., Educational Workshops, Program Open Houses, Seedling Giveaways, Good Food for All Festival).
• Coordinate educational programming with external groups and The Stop’s partners.
• Conduct garden and greenhouse tours for visitors and community members.
• Assist with staffing and animating drop-in times in the Greenhouse and at the Farmers’ Market.

Administrative & Reporting:

• Maintain accurate program records, harvest logs, evaluation, and administrative data.
• Support outreach and program promotion (e.g., workshops, social media, newsletters).
• Participate in 1-1 meetings with GB supervisor, team meetings, staff meetings, and planning sessions.
• Support the development of program reports, funding proposals, and identifying potential funding sources.
• Ensure compliance with The Stop’s policies (e.g., Anti-Racism, Anti-Oppression, Health & Safety, and Environmental Policies).

Qualifications:

• 1-2 years of farming, community gardening, or urban agriculture experience, especially in organic and sustainable methods.
• Strong project coordination, facilitation, and conflict resolution skills.
• Experience coordinating and supporting diverse volunteers.
• Commitment to food justice, anti-racism, and social equity principles.
• Demonstrated ability to work within a diverse community (people of different ages, abilities, and cultural backgrounds).
• Basic computer literacy (Microsoft Office, OneDrive).
• Food Handler Certificate and First Aid training (or willingness to obtain).
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• Ability to speak a language relevant to the community (asset).