Kitchen Support Team Member

Moonwater Farm is a maker farm space that houses tools and materials for weaving food, nature, craft and solidarity in ways that honor biocultural heritage and traditional agricultural arts. Moonwater is a land-based learning center cultivating prosperity for all with food, fiber, and plant medicine. Using a regenerative model, the farm offers a variety of living systems to explore including aquaponics, food forest, row crops, composting, and livestock. We are building our capacity to provide relevant and meaningful programming to Compton, South Los Angeles, and greater Long Beach youth and families. Moonwater Farm is a beloved shared green space offering produce, events, workshops, extended learning opportunities, paid internships, and part-time employment. We collaborate with many grassroots organizations to strengthen these ideas and multiply services.

Seed to Shelf Program

Seed to Shelf™ is a yearlong 24-week grant-funded skill-building program for system-impacted youth ages 14-26 designed to increase participant capacity and interest in our food system. Using items grown and tended at our urban farm, participants create a product or service they can sell. Using a cooperative economic model, we focus on product development, relevant industry certifications, culinary skills, land tending, and business. All youth participants will be paid a stipend.

Position Overview

We must hire a thorough, reliable, and efficient Kitchen Support Team Member to join our collective workforce. Seed to Shelf™ is a paid fellowship opportunity for system-impacted youth and young adults ages 14 – 26. This year-long, project-based learning experience at Moonwater Farm in Compton is a 24-week skill-building program to increase participant capacity and interest in our food system and economic democracy. Using items grown and tended at Moonwater Farm, participants create a product or service they can sell. Using a cooperative economic model, the course focuses on product development, relevant industry certifications, culinary skills, land tending, herbal remedies, and business.

The Kitchen Support Team Member supports the program through weekly meal preparation and cleaning duties, lesson set-up, and occasional hands-on instruction for youth ages 14-24.

Employment Type: Part-time, 8 hours per week

Location: 544 W. Raymond St. Compton, CA 90220

Duration: March - June 2025 with a possibility of joining the next program cycle in September 2025

Compensation: $24 hour

Start Date: March 1, 2025

Responsibilities

• Prep and cook a weekly meal for 25-30 people.
• Properly clean and sanitize all food preparation areas according to food safety standards.
• Wash and store all cooking appliances, instruments, utensils, cutting boards, and dishes.
• Sweep and mop kitchen floors as well as wipe down the storage area.
• Assist with the unloading of delivered food supplies.
• Organize and store food supplies.
• Promptly transfer, store, and label leftover ingredients according to food safety standards.
• Organize food waste - reusable, animal feed, compost.
• Empty garbage after each meal and clean receptacles.
• Food preparation and serving hot food plates on market days or open houses for up to 120 people.
• Track food inventory for lessons and meals. Refill condiments or other supplies from storage.

Required Skills

• 1-2 years experience assisting in kitchens.
• Strong knife skills and efficient use of kitchen tools and equipment.
• Experience following recipes.
• Strong commitment to food safety standards and protocols.
• Able to work in a fast-paced environment
• A food handler's license and knowledge of food health and safety regulations.
• Ability to stand for extended periods.
• Ability to lift 50 lbs.
• Creative with limited resources and use of farm-grown ingredients.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills.
• Effective communication and collaboration skills in a collective working environment.
• Shared values with Moonwater Farm and Seed to Shelf program.
• Experience teaching BIPOC and/or systems-impacted students.

Preferred Skills

• Farm-to-table and/or cottage-style kitchen experience.
• Experience in urban agriculture.
• Managing a kitchen.
• Experience with food craft products (jams, pickling, breads)
• Knowledgeable of Cottage Food and MEHKO (Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operation) Law

Equal Opportunity Employment

Moonwater Farm is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We actively seek people with diverse backgrounds, experiences, identities, and ideas.