CFG Market Garden Assistant (Casual, Seasonal)

We are currently seeking to fill the position of:

Community Food Growing: Casual Market Garden Assistant

FoodShare is a food justice organization advocating for the right to food and working to challenge the systemic barriers that keep people from accessing food. We support community-led food initiatives and work alongside those most impacted by poverty and food insecurity including Black and Indigenous people people of colour people with disabilities and those living on a low income.

Overview

The Market Garden Assistant will work alongside the School Grown Farm Coordinators Flemo Farm Coordinator and Sunshine Garden Coordinator to support farm maintenance and food production across Community Food Growing sites. This role contributes to the care of market gardens orchards community compost exchange and market days throughout the growing season at all Community Food Growing farm locations.

Employment in this role is conditional upon obtaining a clear Vulnerable Sector Check which is required prior to the start date. Additionally the successful applicant must obtain Food Handler Safety certification and Standard First Aid CPR certification. FoodShare will cover the costs of these certifications.

Duties include (but are not limited to):

1. Farm Work

• Support crop production including soil management and field preparation greenhouse seeding and seedling management transplanting direct seeding weeding irrigation harvesting and post-harvest handling of produce.
• Support Community Engagement activities including creating a welcoming environment for volunteers supporting gardening volunteers and supporting garden tours
• Support to manage the orchard shelterbelt and pollinator areas in accordance with the maintenance plan with the team on site.
• Support the Farmers market activities including supplying setting up and closing down merchandising customer service mentoring and supporting volunteers
• Support the community compost exchange (CCE) activities including promoting receiving recording and composting processes
• Support in outreach activities through social media building relationships with residents and stakeholders distributing flyers and putting up posters as needed.
• Collaborate in the recording and management of relevant production and marketing data
• Working collaboratively with Farm Coordinators other FoodShare and staff of partnering organizations to develop educational programming for community members

2. Farm Work

• Assist with record-keeping (planting logs crop yields volunteer hours etc.)
• Track youth participation gather feedback and assist in program evaluation to assess impact and areas for growth.
• Safely operate and maintain machinery including the BCS tractor equipment and tools
• Maintaining programming in line with FoodSharess Food Justice principles and Body Liberation principles
• Ensure all relevant documentation/records are maintained and kept in a secure location
• Participate in farm-wide initiatives and events
• Participating in Community Food Growing and FoodShare staff meetings all staff training and reporting requirements such as timesheets and handling other duties as assigned
• Follow and ensure compliance with all organizational procedures and policies including Health and Safety policies.
• Other duties as assigned

Required Qualifications Knowledge and Experience:

• At least 1 year of experience in vegetable gardening growing food or working with plants
• At least 1 year of experience running a compost system in small-scale or backyard gardening
• Demonstrated interest in community-led food projects and/or neighbourhood-based community organizing.
• Experience working with children youth adults and/or seniors
• Demonstrated commitment to principles of food justice and equity
• Demonstrated ability to work within a diverse community (people of different ages abilities and cultural backgrounds)
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Demonstrated ability to be punctual reliable and committed to completing tasks
• Effective communication and organizational skills
• Knowledge of food systems including growing cooking and composting is an asset
• Photography videography and social media skills are an asset

Requirements:

• Must be legally authorized to work in Canada
• Repetitive tasks such as bending crouching lifting and reaching.
• Full shifts standing and working on your feet.
• Use of hand tools and mechanized equipment.
• Regularly lifting over 40 lbs.
• Working outdoors in all kinds of weather (heat sun rain cold).
• Class G Ontario Drivers License as an asset
• • Access to a vehicle is an asset for this role. If you do not have your own vehicle you may use a FoodShare vehicle if you meet the following criteria:
  • • A valid Ontario G License a minimum of 3 years of insured experience with no major driving infractions in the last 7 years. A Drivers Abstract may be required.

Total Compensation

Salary & Benefits:

• Salary: $25.55 per hour
• Contract Type: Casual/ Seasonal Indefinite:
• • Hours will range from 0 37.5 hours per week.
  • Hours are not guaranteed and will fluctuate depending on operational needs.
  • Work schedules may vary week to week.

This is a casual position with no guaranteed minimum hours of work. Hours may range from 0 to 37.5 per week and will fluctuate based on operational requirements. The nature of this position is seasonal.

Active work is currently anticipated to occur approximately April through December. The exact start and end dates may vary depending on crop cycles weather conditions and business requirements. A temporary layoff is expected to occur during the off-season. Recall for subsequent seasons is not guaranteed and will be based on operational needs at that time.

FoodShare will communicate anticipated timelines as early as reasonably possible to assist with planning.

• Vacation: Vacation in pay (8%)
• Start Date: April 2026

Additional Leave:

• Personal Leave Days: 10 paid personal leave days per year prorated based on start date
• Wellness Days: 20 paid wellness days/sick leave per year prorated based on start date

*Note: As part of FoodShares commitment to equity salaries and benefits are non-negotiable

Additional Information:

Reports to: Community Food Growing Senior Manager

Location:

• BCI Farm operation at 500 the East Mall
• Flemo Farm at 150 Grenoble Drive
• Sunshine Garden at 10 White Square Way.

TO APPLY: Please submit your resume and cover letter by 5:00pm on Wednesday March 18 2026.

Selection Process:

• FoodShares recruitment process involves the anonymization of all resumes prior to their being screened by the hiring committee. This step removes applicant personal details (names email addresses) educational & employment institutions years of work experience and personal interests to reduce potential for bias. Please make sure to detail your experience in your resume/cover letter to ensure the committee has the information they need to assess your qualifications for the role. This process takes at least 3 weeks from the application deadline.
• The hiring committee will review anonymized versions of the applications that pass the initial screening and decide which to invite to interview. This process usually takes about 1 week.
• The hiring committee will conduct first round interviews with selected candidates. Candidates will be sent the interview questions 48 hours in advance of their scheduled interview. Candidates are welcome but not expected or required to send any questions they have for the hiring committee in advance of the interview. These usually occur about 4 weeks after the application deadline.
• In recognition of the time and labour of preparing for and attending an interview FoodShare financially compensates interviewees at a fixed rate of $75 per interview.
• HR will conduct reference checks for the candidate they intend to extend an offer to. This process usually takes about 1 week.
• HR will send the selected candidate an Employment Agreement which the candidate will have at least 3 business days to review and return.

Thank you for your interest in joining our team! FoodShare is a food justice organization. This means that we are committed to working to identify and dismantle systemic forms of oppression that cause and perpetuate food security inequities.

Racialized people and others from equity-seeking groups are over-represented in food insecurity and poverty statistics but are significantly under-represented in community based food organizations. We believe that those most affected by an issue must have access to paid positions in organizations tasked with challenging poverty and food insecurity. FoodShare strives to create a workspace that reflects the diversity of identities and lived experiences that exist within the communities we work alongside. If you see yourself reflected in 80% of the requirements for this role please consider applying.

If you require accommodation when navigating the application process please contact:

Required Experience:

Junior IC