Job Description:

Harvesting vegetables and fruit on both farms and home orchards
Sharing harvest instructions with volunteers and encouraging volunteers during the work
Preparing box truck for gleans with pallets, crates, signs and harvesting equipment
Driving a food bank vehicle to and from harvest sites or Bellingham Farmers Market
Leading the Saturday Farmers Market Glean on planned days
Delegating tasks to volunteers in a fast-paced environment
Lifting and stacking crates of produce and equipment into box truck for transport
Helping setup, stage, and cleanup the gleaning equipment before and after gleans
Ensure produce is high quality, cleaned and organized appropriately
Delivering, storing and recording of produce to Bellingham Food Bank warehouse

This position will require up to 12 hours per week, with a possibility of up to 20 hours during peak season. It is possible that this position will finish before mid-October or that weekly hours may be less than 12, dependent on weather, available crops, etc. The Gleaning Assistant must be available to work two Saturdays per month, dates to be determined with the Gleaning Coordinator.

Status: Temporary/non-exempt. Preferred Start date: July 16th thru mid-October, crop-dependent

Skills & Qualifications

WA State Driver’s License with acceptable record
Complete forklift and box truck training program at Bellingham Food Bank
Ability to work closely with and support volunteers of all abilities
Ability to work on a team, including among farmers and volunteers with diverse backgrounds
Good communication, enthusiastic spirit and interpersonal and time management skills
Ability to repeatedly lift up to 50lbs onto a harvest vehicle
Ability to climb and harvest fruit from a 10-foot ladder
Farm experience is helpful but not required

Work Environment

Reports to the Gleaning Coordinator. The work environment includes farms, orchards, backyard fruit trees, the Bellingham Farmers Market, warehouses, and the Bellingham Food Bank office. The assistant will need to walk, stand, lift, balance, and work in various weather conditions.

Transportation to harvest sites will be in Bellingham Food Bank vehicles, or in personal vehicle with mileage reimbursement.

To Apply

Email cover letter and resume subject “Gleaning Assistant”. Application due date: July 2nd, 2026 at 11:59pm.

NO phone calls, please. More information at ------------, ------------/apply/. Please do not send paper copies of any documents.