Gleaning Assistant

Calabretta; Bellingham (WA); On-site; USD 20,664 - 27,552; Part time

Job summary

Calabretta is seeking a Gleaning Assistant in Bellingham to assist with harvesting vegetables and fruit, leading market gleaning efforts and working with volunteers. The position requires flexibility in hours, with up to 12 hours of work per week.

Qualifications include a WA State Driver’s License, teamwork skills, and the ability to lift up to 50lbs. The role involves outdoor work in various conditions until mid-October, making it ideal for those seeking seasonal opportunities.

Qualifications

• Ability to work on a team with diverse backgrounds.
• Ability to repeatedly lift up to 50lbs onto a harvest vehicle.
• Farm experience is helpful but not required.

Responsibilities

• Harvesting vegetables and fruit on farms and orchards.
• Driving a food bank vehicle to and from harvest sites.
• Leading the Saturday Farmers Market Glean on planned days.

Skills

WA State Driver’s License with acceptable record

Complete forklift and box truck training program

Ability to work closely with and support volunteers

Good communication and interpersonal skills

Job description

Job Description

• Harvesting vegetables and fruit on both farms and home orchards
• Sharing harvest instructions with volunteers and encouraging volunteers during the work
• Preparing box truck for gleans with pallets, crates, signs and harvesting equipment
• Driving a food bank vehicle to and from harvest sites or Bellingham Farmers Market
• Leading the Saturday Farmers Market Glean on planned days
• Delegating tasks to volunteers in a fast-paced environment
• Lifting and stacking crates of produce and equipment into box truck for transport
• Helping setup, stage, and cleanup the gleaning equipment before and after gleans
• Ensure produce is high quality, cleaned and organized appropriately
• Delivering, storing and recording of produce to Bellingham Food Bank warehouse

This position will require up to 12 hours per week, with a possibility of up to 20 hours during peak season. It is possible that this position will finish before mid-October or that weekly hours may be less than 12, dependent on weather, available crops, etc. The Gleaning Assistant must be available to work two Saturdays per month, dates to be determined with the Gleaning Coordinator.

Status: Temporary/non-exempt. Preferred Start date: July 16th thru mid-October, crop-dependent.

Skills & Qualifications

• WA State Driver’s License with acceptable record
• Complete forklift and box truck training program at Bellingham Food Bank
• Ability to work closely with and support volunteers of all abilities
• Ability to work on a team, including among farmers and volunteers with diverse backgrounds
• Good communication, enthusiastic spirit and interpersonal and time management skills
• Ability to repeatedly lift up to 50lbs onto a harvest vehicle
• Ability to climb and harvest fruit from a 10-foot ladder
• Farm experience is helpful but not required

Work Environment

Reports to the Gleaning Coordinator. The work environment includes farms, orchards, backyard fruit trees, the Bellingham Farmers Market, warehouses, and the Bellingham Food Bank office. The assistant will need to walk, stand, lift, balance, and work in various weather conditions.

Transportation to harvest sites will be in Bellingham Food Bank vehicles, or in personal vehicle with mileage reimbursement.

To Apply

Email cover letter and resume subject “Gleaning Assistant”. Application due date: July 2nd, 2026 at 11:59pm.

NO phone calls, please. More information at ------------, ------------/apply/. Please do not send paper copies of any documents.