Local Foods Coordinator

University of Arkansas System•Little Rock, AR

11d

About The Position

The Local Foods Program Associate will support the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure (RFSI) Program by strengthening connections among local food producers, aggregators, distributors, and buyers to enhance the regional food supply chain. This position will focus on developing partnerships and coordinating sourcing efforts to supply local food into regional food hubs and institutional markets. The Program Associate will work within the Department of Horticulture as part of the Local, Regional, and Safe Foods (LRSF) Team, under the direction of Dr. Amanda Philyaw Perez, in collaboration with the Arkansas Department of Agriculture, and other key partners and organizations supporting the Arkansas food system.

Requirements

A Bachelor’s degree in agricultural education, horticulture, food systems, public health, food science, urban planning, or related field plus 3 years of related experience OR a related Master's degree is required.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office, data management tools, and digital communications platforms.
Ability to develop and deliver engaging presentations and outreach materials.
Strong initiative, organizational skills, and ability to work independently and collaboratively.
Commitment to fostering resilient local food systems.

Nice To Haves

Experience in local food systems, supply chain coordination, produce safety, or agricultural business development.
Understanding of specialty crop production, food aggregation and distribution logistics, and food safety practices.
Strong communication skills (written and oral), including experience in outreach, curriculum development, or public presentations.
Familiarity with marketing, buyer engagement, or supply chain software and data tracking tools.
Experience in on-farm or food hub operations is a plus.

Responsibilities

Coordinate efforts among farmers, food businesses, food hubs, and institutional buyers to strengthen local and regional supply chains.
Support farmers and food businesses in utilizing RFSI funds for equipment, transportation, or infrastructure that enhances aggregation and distribution capacity.
Work with LRSF and partner organizations to identify sourcing opportunities for food hubs and other local food access points.
Assist in developing educational and technical assistance resources focused on business development, supply chain management, and local food aggregation.
Provide training, collaboration, and support to county extension agents and community partners involved in local food system development.
Coordinate site visits, technical assistance requests, and stakeholder meetings (in-person and virtual).
Track and evaluate program activities, data collection, and reporting requirements in collaboration with the Arkansas Department of Agriculture and USDA.
Develop and implement outreach and education strategies to increase awareness of local food systems, regional food hubs, and the benefits of sourcing locally.
Create and distribute educational materials, digital content, and promotional media highlighting Arkansas-grown products and producers.
Support and organize community events, workshops, and farm tours to engage diverse audiences, including farmers, buyers, educators, and consumers.
Collaborate with partners to deliver training on local food sourcing, food safety, value chain coordination, and market readiness for growers.
Represent the program at conferences, meetings, and community events to strengthen relationships and share success stories from the field.
Support garden-based educational program development.
Travel to farms, aggregation facilities, meetings, and conferences within and outside Arkansas (approximately 20% travel).
Work in office, field, and facility settings under varying weather conditions.
Must be a self-starter capable of independent work and effective collaboration within a multidisciplinary team.