Farmers Market Manager Assistant

Who We Are

Uptown & Boogie Healthy Project, Inc. (UBHP) promotes health equity by providing communities in Upper Manhattan and the Bronx access to nutritious food, wellness resources, and educational opportunities. Our programs and initiatives empower individuals and families to lead healthier lives.

What You’ll Learn and Gain

• Gain hands-on experience managing market operations, from vendor management to event coordination and customer engagement.
• Develop transferable skills like financial management, dispute resolution, and effective communication.
• Work closely with industry professionals, gaining mentorship and insights into the agriculture and nonprofit sectors.
• Build a network of contacts within the community, local farmers, and other professionals in sustainable agriculture.
• Opportunities to apply new skills in a real-world setting, making an immediate impact on the market and its growth.

What You’ll Do

• Enroll farmers/vendors in the market—either through seasonal vendor agreements or as daily vendors.
• Assist with collecting all stall fees owed and making accurate accounting.
• Arrive before market vendors arrive and remain throughout the market day to:
  • Properly place vendors in stalls, including assigning market stalls to daily vendors.
  • Place market signs and parking signs.
  • Ensure all rules and regulations are adhered to, including state and county regulations.
  • Answer questions for vendors and consumers, offering assistance as needed.
  • Resolve disputes that arise between vendors and customers.
  • Maintain market grounds safely and cleanly.
  • Operate the market manager’s booth, distributing nutritional education materials and recipes for seasonal, local foods.
  • Assist with managing the SNAP/EBT and Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (FMNP).
• Collect and bring suggestions from farmers back to the market board/committee for review.
• Conduct periodic customer counts to assess market growth.
• Ensure the market site is cleaned after market hours once vendors have left.
• Assist with maintaining a database of farmers/vendors, their contact information, and any licenses/permits based on their products.

Expectations and Commitment

• Be present during all market hours (including setup and teardown), with the flexibility to work off-site during non-market hours for preparation and follow-up tasks.
• Maintain a professional and friendly demeanor with vendors, customers, and community members.
• Show initiative and accountability in executing tasks and responsibilities with attention to detail.

What We’re Looking For

• College students are passionate about agriculture, community service, and sustainable practices.
• A self-motivated individual is eager to learn new skills and take the initiative.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to engage with vendors, customers, and community members professionally and respectfully.
• Good communication and organizational skills.
• Creative thinking and problem-solving ability, especially in high-pressure situations.
• Some knowledge of budgeting and financial management, though not required.
• A passion for working in a community-driven environment and supporting local agriculture.

What You’ll Achieve

• Develop valuable experience in market management, event coordination, and community engagement.
• Enhance your skills in vendor management, financial reporting, and dispute resolution.
• Gain a deeper understanding of sustainable agriculture, nutrition education, and community support initiatives.
• Make a tangible impact on the growth and success of the farmers market, strengthening its connection to the community.

Opportunities for Future Engagement

• This internship could lead to continued involvement with the organization through future internships, paid positions, or project collaborations.

Intern Will Learn/Develop:

At Uptown & Boogie Healthy Project, Inc., everyone deserves an equal opportunity to grow, contribute, and make a difference. We are proud to be an inclusive organization that values diversity. UBHP does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, ethnicity, sex, gender (including gender nonconformity, status as a transgender individual, and gender identity or expression), sexual orientation, sexual and reproductive health decisions, age, physical or mental disability, citizenship, military status (including past, current, or prospective service in the uniformed services), genetic information, predisposing genetic characteristics, marital status, partnership status, familial status, caregiver status, criminal history, domestic violence victim status, height, weight, or any other status or condition protected by applicable law. This policy extends to all aspects of employment, including but not limited to recruitment, selection, compensation, benefits, promotion, training, transfer, and separation of employment.

Note:

Before applying, we encourage you to review our website, ubhp.org, to learn more about our mission, initiatives, and impactful work in the community. Knowing about us will help you understand how your role will contribute to our goals.