Regional Food Animator for Metro

This job posting is also available as a PDF.

Food First NL has a team of 5 Regional Food Animators that inspire and support food programming across the province. Each Regional Food Animator leads outreach and education activities in their region, as well as contributing to Food First NL’s projects. These positions all have a high degree of variety and flexibility. 

The Regional Food Animator for the Metro Region will be a very active role that supports both of Food First NL’s social enterprises in Metro, Food on the Move and the new Avalon Food Hub. 

The Job

The Regional Food Animator will be responsible for the following:

  • Act as the lead support person for community food programs in the Metro Region:

    • Provide guidance to food programs 

    • Host regional meetings and educational webinars over Zoom 

    • Create opportunities for networking and relationship building

    • Gather and share resources

    • Give presentations and facilitate hands-on food skills workshops

    • Sit on committees and collaborate on projects with partner organizations 

    • Assist with funding applications and other content development

    • Build bridges between local, regional, provincial, and national partners 

  • Assist with all social enterprise activities of Food on the Move and the Avalon Food Hub, including:

    • Transport food to and from multiple locations in bulk using an electric van 

    • Portion, package, inventory, and safely store a variety of fresh, frozen, and non-perishable food items

    • Set up and take down pop-up market equipment

    • Provide customer service in person, by phone, and online 

    • Interact with vendors and producers to acquire products, set up online profiles, troubleshoot issues, and build positive relationships

    • Handle payments by cash, using Square POS, and using Local Food Marketplace online sales platform 

    • Give presentations and promote the social enterprises in community settings 

    • Contribute to marketing and communications for the social enterprises

    • Maintain accurate records and collect sales and evaluation data

    • Assist with development of operating procedures

    • Problem solve social enterprise challenges in a collaborative and effective manner 

  • Assist with the extension of Food First NL’s other projects to the Metro Region, including community engagement and data collection 

  • Support food safety and occupational health and safety throughout operations 

  • Contribute to the creation, review, update, and promotion of Food First NL’s educational resources, including the Community Food Action Space

  • Participate in professional development training (e.g. equity, food safety, first aid, facilitation, community engagement)

  • Participate as a member of the Food First NL team and contribute to communications, equity, evaluation, human resources, planning, and reporting activities of the organization

  • Act as a representative of Food First NL at meetings, on committees, at events, and potentially with the media. 

  • Other duties as required

The Ideal Candidate 

This position will require physical labour. The candidate must be able to safely lift bags and boxes of produce weighing 50-65lbs and complete repetitive tasks like placing food into bags and cleaning workspaces. The candidate will be required to set up and take down equipment like tents and tables. 

The candidate should be available to start in October 2026. 

The candidate must live in the Metro Region at time of start in the position and throughout employment. 

The candidate must have a full driver’s license and a clean driving record. The candidate must be willing and able to regularly drive an electric van.

Please consider applying if most of the following characteristics apply to you: 

  • You are excited about advancing Food First NL’s vision of “a province where everyone can eat with joy and dignity” 

  • You have strong experience with customer service 

  • You are friendly and enjoy interacting with people

  • You are reliable and punctual

  • You are a creative problem solver who strives to remain open-minded and level-headed

  • You have experience handling cash, using point-of-sale (POS) systems, and with online sales 

  • You have experience in public engagement, community education, and outreach 

  • You are an experienced driver and would enjoy driving an electric van regularly

  • You bring a variety of food interests and practical food skills with you

  • You have experience working with non-profits and social enterprises

  • You are able to safely and comfortably handle a wide variety of foods in community settings

  • You are organized, detail-oriented, and plan ahead 

  • You have strong communication skills and you enjoy collaborative teamwork 

  • You are a good listener who can take direction and then work independently

  • You are committed to equity and inclusion, and you have experience interacting positively with groups who have been marginalized

  • You are confident with computers and you have strong experience with Google Suite (Docs, Sheets, Gmail, Calendar, Drive) and Zoom

  • You are able to work both in-person and online 

If you have questions about the requirements of the position, contact hiring@foodfirstnl.ca.

Compensation and other Details

Wage: $25.40/hour. A cost of living increase is applied annually in February. Wage is set according to a salary scale and is not negotiable. 

Paid Leave: 

  • 15 days vacation to start

  • 15 public holidays annually, plus 3 days closure between Christmas and New Years

  • 12 community service and food provisioning days

  • Ample sick and personal leave time available as needed

Hours: 35 hours/week, primarily Monday-Friday daytimes, with some flexibility. It will vary based on activities, with occasional evenings and weekends required.

Benefits: Health and dental benefits available after 3 months

Expected Start: October 2026

Position Type: Full-time. Initial contract to March 31, 2027 with potential extension.

Working Environment & Travel

The position requires the candidate to live in the Metro Region at time of start in the position and throughout employment. The Metro Region includes St. John’s, Mount Pearl, Paradise, Torbay, Portugal Cove-St. Philips, Logy Bay-Middle Cove-Outer Cove, and Conception Bay South (see map). For clarification about eligible locations, contact hiring@foodfirstnl.ca. Compensation will not be provided for candidates to relocate to the region for the position. 

There will be frequent travel within the Metro Region and occasionally beyond. The candidate must be willing and able to regularly drive an electric van, and a driving assessment will take place in the van at the start of employment. The candidate must have a full driver’s license and a clean driving record. Access to a personal vehicle and valid personal insurance is an asset. 

Work sites are in person at Food First NL’s main office (77 Charter Ave. Suite 100 in St. John’s) and partner sites throughout the region (community centres, MUN, CNA, etc.). This can be a hybrid position and working from home is an option as programming requirements allow. Doing so will require a reliable home internet connection and a monthly stipend can be provided to assist with internet costs

How to Apply

Send a PDF of your resume and cover letter to hiring@foodfirstnl.ca by the end of the day on Sunday September 27, 2026. We thank everyone who applies but only people selected for an interview will be contacted. 

Questions and contact for support in applying:hiring@foodfirstnl.ca

Accommodations

Food First NL recognizes that systemic barriers related to gender, race and ethnicity, Indigeneity, ability, physical and mental health, age, and socio-economic status limit or prevent people’s equal access to power and resources within society. In order to address these barriers within our own organization and the broader community, Food First NL is committed to practicing equity in all aspects of our work, including hiring. We welcome the opportunity to discuss any accommodations you may require, both in the position itself and in the hiring process.

If you are a person with a disability who requires support applying, please contact us. We can also provide this job posting in alternative formats. 

About Food First NL

Food First NL is a provincial non-profit organization with nearly twenty-five years of experience leading food security efforts. Food First NL’s mission is to advance everyone’s right to food in Newfoundland and Labrador. We envision a province where everyone can eat with joy and dignity. To learn more, visit foodfirstnl.ca or our social media @FoodFirstNL (Instagram, BlueSky, Facebook, YouTube).