Food Access/Local Foods Specialist

AmeriCorps; Raleigh (NC); On-site; USD 16,000 - 20,000; Full time

Job summary

AmeriCorps VISTA is recruiting for the Food Access/Local Foods Specialist in Wake County, North Carolina. The role starts 09/08/2026 and runs through 09/07/2027, full-time. You will build partnerships with farmers markets, pantries, schools, and community programs to expand fresh produce access.

Responsibilities include coordinating food rescue, promoting SNAP programs, supporting volunteer growth, and increasing civic engagement to reduce hunger. Spanish language skills preferred.

Qualifications

• Experience managing non-profit programs or similar outreach initiatives.
• Strong writing and editing abilities for reports and proposals.
• Experience in youth development and community engagement.

Responsibilities

• Develop strong partnerships and build the capacity of farmers markets, food pantries, schools, and community programs to increase fresh produce access.
• Work with partners to increase the amount of food rescued from landfills and connect emergency food providers with sources of otherwise wasted foods.
• Increase the number of volunteers actively supporting partners.
• Increase public awareness of food insecurity and increase public and organizational participation in increasing food access across Wake County.
• Conduct a gap analysis of food resources available to homeless populations and assist with the development of resources for populations with limited access to refrigeration and cooking equipment.
• Conduct outreach to food insecure communities to expand use of farmers market SNAP programs, and to assist with SNAP applications via the NCSU More in My Basket Program.
• Identify and apply to funding opportunities for partners to support fresh produce access.

Skills

Non-Profit Management

Writing/Editing

Youth Development

Community Organization

General Skills

Education

College graduate

Job description

Wake County Cooperative Extension Food Security Program's mission is to build the capacity of organizations that make Wake County more food secure and to ensure that all residents have access to healthy and nutritious food. Overall Goal: Increase food security for children and families by expanding school-based food programs, strengthening SFSP sites, and creating sustainable outreach and resource systems across WCPSS and community partners. Additionally, the VISTA will build strong partnerships and increase the number of volunteers actively supporting these organizations, by increasing public awareness of food insecurity and civic engagement with food access initiatives. Lastly the VISTA will secure resources to support food access programs through grant writing, outreach to local businesses and philanthropy groups, and increasing the number of organizations taking advantage of programs such as the summer meal service program. Improve access to fresh local foods for low-income residents by increasing institutional sourcing, enhancing farmers market benefit utilization, and expanding pantry best practices and evaluations. The VISTA will focus on increasing fresh produce access and rescuing food waste through partner organizations including farmers markets, mobile markets, farm to early childcare programs, school programs, and food pantries with the goal to increase consumption of fresh produce and other nutrient dense foods among food insecure residents in Wake County. The Food Access/Local Foods Specialist will work with a number of organizations actively addressing hunger through innovative programs such as PORCH, Summer Food, Farm to Pantry, Gleaning, SHARE at WCPSS, etc. The Member will also help expand the NCSU Healthy Pantry program to new pantries in Wake County to promote better health among food pantry clients through increased consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables.

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Member Duties

• Develop strong partnerships and build the capacity of farmers markets, food pantries, schools, and community programs to increase fresh produce access.
• Work with partners to increase the amount of food rescued from landfills and connect emergency food providers with sources of otherwise wasted foods.
• Increase the number of volunteers actively supporting partners.
• Increase public awareness of food insecurity and increase public and organizational participation in increasing food access across Wake County.
• Conduct a gap analysis of food resources available to homeless populations and assist with the development of resources for populations with limited access to refrigeration and cooking equipment.
• Conduct outreach to food insecure communities to expand use of farmers market SNAP programs, and to assist with SNAP applications via the NCSU More in My Basket Program.
• Identify and apply to funding opportunities for partners to support fresh produce access.

Program Benefits

Training , Childcare assistance if eligible , Health Coverage* , Living Allowance , Choice of Education Award or End of Service Stipend , Relocation Allowance .

For details about AmeriCorps VISTA healthcare benefits, please visit https://americorpsvista.imglobal.com/ .

Terms

Permits working at another job during off hours , Permits attendance at school during off hours , Car recommended .

Service Areas

Community Outreach , Hunger , Children/Youth , Community and Economic Development .

Skills

Non-Profit Management , Writing/Editing , Youth Development , Community Organization , General Skills .

Program Type

AmeriCorps VISTA

Program

Food Access/Local Foods Specialist

Program Start/End Date

09/08/2026 - 09/07/2027

Work Schedule

Full Time

Education level

College graduate

Age Requirement

Minimum: 18 Maximum: None

Program Locations

NORTH CAROLINA

Languages

Spanish

Some Spanish preferred

Accepting Applications

From 04/20/2026 To 09/30/2026

Contact

Chris Abell

4001 Carya Drive

Raleigh NC 27610

9842395438

[e-mail]

Listing ID

122754