Mobile Market Operator Internship 

Community FarmShare Mobile Markets

Background

Community FarmShare (CFS) is a Montgomery County based nonprofit organization founded in 2020 that partners with community residents, high FARMS (Free And Reduced-price Meals) rates schools, community clinics and community-based organizations to create new healthy food access opportunities through a “FARMacy” mobile farm market. CFS’s goal is to address nutrition insecurity through a community-centered innovative approach that mutually benefits both small scale agricultural producers and low-income community residents with least access to healthy food. We passionately believe that the best, healthiest fresh produce is grown right here!

Each FARMacy Market offers experience in nonprofit management and food systems work, providing the opportunity to help run a weekly market from start to finish, including activities across various aspects of nonprofit management through running the markets. 

CFS operates 9 mobile farm markets throughout Montgomery County from June to late November.

Skills Development Opportunities include:

  • Community outreach and communication with partner and program participants
  • On-site volunteer management and volunteer support
  • Operations
    • Effective and efficient process management
    • Inventory management
    • Set up and take down of the market
    • Tech apps (Farmers Register use and management)
    • Financial management
  • Program management
    • Communication and coordination with partner organizations (schools and community healthcare clinics)
    • Developing and managing surveys and community member feedback loops
    • Assessment of surveys and feedback to offer recommendations for improvement
    • Analysis of goals achieved and impact assessment
  • Data analysis and reporting to management
  • Leadership development through idea generation and problem solving 

Responsibilities:

  • Market Operators supports each of the 9 markets and reports to the Market Manager. Markets are located in the same community each week, fostering trust and reliability for dignified healthy food access. Markets are outside at partner schools or clinics.
  • Market Operators commit to running and supporting multiple mobile markets throughout the agricultural season from June through the end of November.
  • We estimate 3 hours of work per market (including ½ hour set up and ½ hour take down); with interns meeting at the market they sign up for. Interns may work at more than one market per week for more hours if desired.
  • No prior relevant work experience is necessary, but a passion for nonprofit work and community engagement is important.
  • Ability to lift 40 lb
  • Intermediate Spanish or better preferred, but not required
  • Access to own transportation is very helpful
  • Pay is $18/hour

CFS’s aggregation hub is near the center of Gaithersburg - 220 Girard St., Unit D, but most interns would meet directly at the markets for their shifts. There could be a few additional work opportunities at the aggregation hub location.

How to Apply:

Please send your resume and cover letter to Jennifer Freeman at jennifer.freeman@communityfarmshare.org

About Community FarmShare and our mobile farm markets (a.k.a, “FARMacy”).

The FARMacy is stocked with culturally appropriate, locally grown produce determined by participants. The market follows a weekly schedule serving locations near community clinics and school partners to reduce additional transportation barriers to healthy food access. The FARMacy prioritizes collaboration with trusted community partners to facilitate deeper engagement.

The FARMacy primarily serves: 

1) Food Is Medicine programs, supporting residents managing diet related chronic disease; CFS works in partnership with community clinics providing primary care for low income residents

2) Farm to School programs through Community Schools to support children highest at risk of nutrition insecurity. 

To reach the broader community beyond these two programs, the FARMacy’ produce is subsidized, making local farm produce affordable to buy. Further, CFS accepts SNAP, (and dollar for dollar match through MD Market Money), making produce options highly affordable.

All produce is sourced from local small scale farms, prioritizing equity to strengthen our local food system and grow the culturally valued produce that our diverse county residents seek.