Kitchen Prep Specialist

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

Job summary

Growing Places is seeking a Kitchen Prep Specialist to join our team at the Growing Places Local Food Center in Gardner, MA. This role supports local farmers and community partners by turning fresh produce into high-quality products for families, schools, hospitals, and more.

The position is up to 25 hours per week and on-site. Responsibilities include washing and preparing produce, operating processing equipment, packaging, and ensuring sanitation and quality per GP SOPs.

Qualifications

• Experience in fast-paced food environments.
• Food processing experience with produce preferred.
• ServSafe Certification and Allergy Awareness Certification (costs sponsored)

Responsibilities

• Wash, trim, peel, cut, and portion fresh produce following recipes.
• Operate and monitor basic food processing equipment.
• Package and label products meeting quality standards.
• Maintain sanitation and safety per Good Manufacturing Practices.

Skills

Food safety

Detail oriented

Team collaboration

Independent work

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

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.

$22 to $25 per hour based on experience