Kitchen Prep Specialist

Growing Places; Gardner (MA); On-site; USD 30,000 - 34,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Certification sponsorship

Job summary

Growing Places in Gardner, MA is seeking a part-time Kitchen Prep Specialist to transform fresh, locally grown produce into high-quality food products for families, schools, hospitals, and more. You will work with the Production Manager to support local farms and strengthen the regional food system.

This year-round role offers hands-on processing duties, production line operation, and packaging with a focus on quality, safety, and efficiency in a community-driven organization.

Qualifications

• Experience in fast-paced food environments.
• Experience with food processing, specifically produce preferred.
• Experience with food processing equipment operation and maintenance.

Responsibilities

• Wash, trim, peel, cut and portion produce per recipes.
• Operate and monitor processing equipment (peelers, Robo Coupes, dehydrators, kettles, packaging machines).
• Package and label finished products to retail/wholesale standards.
• Maintain GMP-compliant sanitation and safety checks.
• Keep processing lines and tools clean and well-maintained.

Skills

Fast-paced experience

Teamwork

Detail-oriented

Local food passion

Independent worker

Education

ServSafe Certification

Allergy Awareness Certification

Tools

Robo Coupe

Industrial equipment operation

Job description

Love Food, Community & Local Farms? Join Our Kitchen Team!

Are you energized by a fast-paced kitchen, passionate about high-quality food, and excited to support local farmers and your community? Growing Places is looking for a Kitchen Prep Specialist (KPS) to join our team!

The Kitchen Prep Specialist works alongside our Production Manager to help transform fresh, locally grown produce into high-quality food products that reach families, schools, hospitals, restaurants, and other communities across Massachusetts.

This up to a 25-hour-per-week position is based at the Growing Places Local Food Center in Gardner, MA where you’ll be part of a team helping strengthen our local food system.

What You’ll Help Make Possible

• Prepare and lightly process fresh, local produce
• Support NCMA farmers by creating new markets for their products
• Help supply healthy, local food to schools and institutions
• Support food access through hospitals, restaurants, and community partners
• Help provide fresh, nutritious food directly to households through Growing Places’ SNAP/MA Healthy Incentives Program Home Delivery Program

If you love working with food, enjoy being part of a mission-driven team, and want your work to make a difference in the community, we’d love to hear from you!

Position Responsibilities

• Processing and Preparation: Wash, trim, peel, cut, and portion produce using specialized equipment following pre-determined recipes
• Production Line Operations: Operate and monitor food processing equipment, including commercial peelers, Robo Coupes, freeze-dehydrators, steam-jacketed kettles, and packaging machines
• Packaging and Labeling: Accurately package and label finished products for retail or wholesale, ensuring they meet quality standards
• Quality Control and Safety: Following GP’s Good Manufacturing Practices, ensure quality control and safety through regular checks of product quality, temperature, and equipment condition
• Sanitation and Maintenance: Maintain a clean and sanitary work area, including cleaning equipment, tools, and processing lines in compliance with established Good Manufacturing Practices
• Documentation: Recording keeping per Growing Places Standard Operating Procedures
• Other related duties as assigned

Requirements

Qualifications

• Experience working in fast paced food environments
• Experience with food processing, specifically produce preferred
• Experience with food processing equipment operation and maintenance
• ServSafe Certification and Allergy Awareness Certification (if not Certified will sponsor costs)
• Understanding of community food systems, NCMA a plus
• Detail-oriented
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a team environment
• Passion for local food and its impact on community health and the environment

This position is year-round. Some weekends and evenings may be asked to work on occasion.

Benefits

$22 to $25 per hour based on experience