Cook Fresh Program Coordinator

About Us: Urban Roots is a Saint Paul organization whose mission is to cultivate and empower youth through nature, healthy food, and community. Urban Roots focuses its programs on the East Side of Saint Paul, MN and our vision is a world where all communities have unlimited access to nature and healthy food.  We place the tools of personal and community development in the hands of young people and families.

Urban Roots, formerly the Community Design Center of Minnesota, was incorporated in 1969. Over the past 52 years, Urban Roots has provided a range of community development services in Minneapolis, Saint Paul and southern Minnesota, including architecture, urban planning, economic development, and organizational development—with a common thread of empowerment, engagement, and innovation. Since 1996, we’ve operated our food and environmental programs on the East Side of Saint Paul, engaging thousands of under-resourced youth in education, training, and work projects that provide service to the community, develop young leaders, and improve health and the environment. We offer three programs to engage and support youth in paid internships—Market Garden, Cook Fresh, and Conservation.

Position Summary:

The Cook Fresh Program Coordinator works under the direction of the Cook Fresh Program Manager to further the development of the program. 

The Cook Fresh Program engages and instructs youth interns and the greater community in the skills, knowledge and confidence to make healthy, delicious and affordable meals. Cook Fresh is closely aligned with our Market Garden Program and utilizes youth-grown produce. Youth interns learn practical food preparation skills, explore career pathways, post secondary education, and engage in opportunities in: entrepreneurship, cooking, public speaking, hands-on lessons for the community and social/environmental advocacy. 

This is a part time, seasonal position of 24 hours per week, 43 weeks/year from March – December.

Essential Functions:

• Food production: 
  • Execute Chef Led program that incorporates seasonal garden produce.
  • Grocery shop for Cook Fresh programs and demonstrations. 
  • Deliver program supplies and kits to Cook Fresh youth interns
  • Assist with developing seasonal food processing goals for value-added products. 
  • Work with the Program Manager to plan on-site and virtual logistics for food related events.
  • Prepare seasonal food items for community partner and fundraising events. 
  • Assist Program Manager in executing licensing around food preparation.

• Youth Education & Training:
  • Facilitate youth internship training in applied, fresh seasonal cooking skills, professional food preparation, food & entrepreneurship curriculum, along with basic job skill training practices.
  • Coordinate youth interns in the planning & execution of a Chef Led program that incorporates seasonal garden produce.
  • Supervise youth in recipe development for Roots for the Home Team salads and other value added products.

• Program development:
  • Collaborate to plan, develop and propose program content and implementation with the planning team and implement programs as required.
  • Ensure program activities and goals meet specified objectives as determined by the planning team and administration.
  • Maintain and report on detailed records for program-related activities and youth development content.

• Community outreach/collaborative leadership 
  • Participate and co-lead in planning community-based events within the scope of the Cook Fresh program
  • Work with the Cook Fresh program manager in  collaborative efforts, such as East Side Table, Youthprise and other grant projects.
• Other duties as assigned by the Cook Fresh Manager

Qualifications:

• 2 years of experience in food service and/or youth development.
• Experience in program development and instruction. 
• Knowledge of food safety and sanitation protocols and best practices.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Google Suites and other standard office tools. 
• Reliable source of transportation to fulfil duties related to grocery shopping and youth intern kit delivery required. 
• Commitment to Urban Roots values, which include collaboration, inclusion, stewardship and experiential learning.

Compensation: $17.05/hr DOE, paid prorated holiday and sick time.

To apply: Please submit a cover letter, resume and three professional references to info@urbanrootsmn.org. Please include “Cook Fresh Coordinator” in the subject line. No phone calls please.

Urban Roots is an equal opportunity employer. We seek to build a staff reflective of our values of equity and inclusion with regard to race, culture, ethnicity, class, religion, physical ability, age,  gender identity and sexual orientation. Urban Roots is committed to fostering the leadership of BIPOC individuals (Black, Indigenous and People of Color), women, LGBTQ people, immigrants, and others living in marginalized communities.