Project Officer: Good Food Box

TITLE: Project Officer – Good Food Box

EMPLOYMENT STATUS: Permanent, full-time position (35 hours per week)

SUPERVISOR: Program Pillar Lead - Poverty Reduction

START DATE: immediate

I) ABOUT US

Founded in 1982, community is at the heart of the Rideau-Rockcliffe Community Resource Centre (RRCRC). Located in Ottawa’s Ward13, we build and promote a healthy and resilient community through the delivery of quality, diverse and innovative services in a safe and inclusive space. We provide a range of social supports interventions that enable the empowerment of residents, community resilience, and the inclusion of all. This includes food bank services, crisis intervention, community development services, children and youth programming, the operation of several food related social enterprises, as well as a community social innovation hub.

Our diverse team of employees, supported by a strong core of volunteers and our Board of Directors develops, implements, and executes our wide range of programs and services within our ward and beyond. Recognized for its innovative and dynamic leadership, the RRCRC helps its community thrive towards a promising future, transforming our community in the years to come.

A key focus of the Centre’s work is the development of a local, community-level food chain that strengthens access to healthy food while creating meaningful opportunities for residents to participate, learn, and lead. Good Food Box, together with our Food Bank, Social Harvest and Chez-13 Community Kitchen are central to this vision.

The Ottawa Good Food Box is a non-profit social enterprise that improves food security by making fresh fruits and vegetables affordable and accessible. Open to households and community organizations, it provides low-cost produce through weekly pick-ups sites and bulk supply to non-profits serving low-income and marginalized groups—supporting food banks, pantries, markets, and free produce distributions across Ottawa.

II) SUMMARY OF FUNCTIONS

Are you passionate about food security, social enterprise development, and community impact?

The Project Officer works in close collaboration with the Good Food Box team to coordinate responsibilities align priorities and support the effective delivery and ongoing development of the program. Working closely with RRCRC internal teams, community partners, and suppliers, the Project Officer leads outreach and builds and strengthens partnerships. The role prioritizes relationship-building and collaboration to expand access to affordable, fresh produce, while helping define and strengthen the Good Food Box’s role within RRCRC’s community-level food chain—linking food rescue, growing, preparation, and distribution in partnership with the Food Bank, Social Harvest, and Chez-13 Community Kitchen to better serve low-income and marginalized communities. While grounded in RRCRC’s Ward 13 communities, the Good Food Box operates as a city-wide program, and the Project Officer plays a key role in building partnerships and strengthening access to fresh produce across Ottawa.

This position generally requires the employee to work in person at the Rideau-Rockcliffe Community Resource Centre. However, depending on program needs, occasional work from home may be possible in accordance with the Centre’s work-from-home guidelines.

III) PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

a. Good Food Box Operations & Logistics

• Coordinate and manage all weekly Good Food Box operations, in collaboration with the Good Food Box Project Officer, volunteers, and partner organizations
• Process weekly customer orders and wholesale produce orders for partner organizations.
• Maintain and update the online store with seasonal products and pricing, ensuring affordability, variety, and accessibility.
• Collaborate with Project Officer regarding distribution to pick-up sites, partner agencies, and home delivery recipients.
• Collaborate with Project Officer regarding inventory levels, deliveries, and packing schedules.
• Respond to customer service inquiries from households and partner organizations in a timely and respectful manner.
• Maintain accurate records related to sales, inventory, distribution volumes, and program outputs.
• Ensure food safety, quality control, and cleanliness standards are met throughout all operations.
• Other duties as assigned by the supervisor, as required to support program operations.

b. Partnerships & Community Food Access

• Build and maintain strong relationships with non-profit organizations, community agencies, and pick-up sites both within RRCRC’s Ward 13 catchment and across the city to strengthen equitable access to fresh produce.
• Participate in meetings and initiatives with key food security partners such as the Ottawa Community Food Partnership.
• Support partner organizations using GFB produce.
• Serve as a primary point of coordination for community partners and non-profit organizations accessing Good Food Box produce, in collaboration with the Good Food Box Project Officer.
• Recruit, onboard, and support new pick-up sites and community partners to expand the program’s reach and impact.
• Cultivate relationships with produce suppliers, prioritizing local farmers where possible.
• Support coordination across RRCRC food programs to align production, distribution, and food access strategies.
• Contribute to defining and strengthening the Good Food Box’s role within RRCRC’s community-level food chain, supporting connections between food rescue, growing, preparation, and distribution.

c. Financial & Administrative Support

• Working closely with the other Good Food Box Project Officer, oversee purchasing, invoicing, and cost-recovery tracking to ensure the program remains financially sustainable while maintaining affordability and access.
• Maintain accurate financial records related to sales, margins, and operational costs.
• Support data tracking and reporting for internal planning, funders, and community partners.
• Contribute to the maintenance and improvement of procedures, tools, and internal documentation.
• Identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency, service quality, and partner experience.

d. Outreach, Marketing & Program Development

• Support the development of outreach and marketing materials to increase program awareness and participation among households and community organizations.
• Lead or participate in community outreach activities, site visits, and partner engagement to promote the Good Food Box and strengthen relationships.
• Contribute to program planning, expansion, and innovation aligned with food security and poverty reduction goals.
• Support the Good Food Box’s development as a community-based social enterprise by contributing ideas and analysis that strengthen sustainability while maintaining affordability and equitable access.
• Assist with basic analysis of sales data, pricing, and partner demand to inform planning and decision-making.
• Support the exploration of new partnerships or service models, such as additional pick-up sites or bulk purchasing for community organizations.
• Contribute to documenting procedures and improving workflows.
• Assist with identifying and preparing grant applications and funding proposals.

e. Volunteer & Team Collaboration

• Recruit, train, schedule, and support volunteers, students, interns, and contract workers involved in Good Food Box operations.
• Provide day-to-day guidance and support to volunteers assisting with packing and distribution.
• Collaborate closely with other RRCRC programs, including Social Harvest, Chez-13 Community Kitchen, and the Emergency Food Bank, to strengthen cross-program alignment.
• Participate in team meetings, planning sessions, and centre-wide initiatives.

IV) QUALIFICATIONS

a. Academic and Professional Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Demonstrated interest in food security, access to healthy food, and community-based social impact.
• Experience in a food-related, customer-facing, or community-based role (e.g., food programs, retail food, social enterprise, non-profit operations).
• Experience with customer service, order processing, or working with clients, partners, or community organizations.
• Comfort working with numbers, invoices, pricing, and basic financial tracking.

b. Preferred / Assets

• Post-secondary education in a related field such as community development, food systems, business administration, social services, nutrition, or environmental studies.
• Experience with produce supply, purchasing, pricing, or selling (retail, wholesale, social enterprise, or non-profit food programs).
• Knowledge of local food systems, food access models, or food security initiatives.
• Experience working with non-profit organizations or community agencies.
• Familiarity with cost-recovery or social enterprise models.
• Ability to communicate in both English and French is considered an asset.
• Other languages relevant to the community are considered an asset.

c. Skills and Competencies

• Strong organizational, time-management, and multitasking skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, weekly operational environment.
• Strong relationship-building and interpersonal skills, with comfort engaging households, community partners, and suppliers.
• Ability to coordinate, support, and motivate volunteers, students, or interns.
• Strong administrative skills, including accurate record-keeping and attention to detail.
• Comfort working with numbers, including basic math, pricing, sales tracking, invoicing, and cost monitoring.
• Proficiency with standard computer programs such as Microsoft Excel, Word, Outlook, Wix and online platforms (e.g., web stores, email marketing tools, basic design or social media platforms).
• Ability to work independently and take initiative, while also collaborating effectively within a team.
• Flexibility to work occasional evenings or weekends as required by operations or outreach activities.
• Valid driver’s license (required)

d. Physical requirements

• The Good Food Box Project Officer position involves physical activity, including standing for extended periods, lifting and moving produce boxes, and working in packing and distribution environments.

e. Core Values and Attributes

• Strong interest in food security, healthy food access, and community well-being.
• Non-judgmental and inclusive attitude (toward ability, gender, culture, race, sexual orientation, etc.).
• Understanding of, and sensitivity to, poverty, food insecurity, and marginalization.
• Commitment to dignity, equity, and inclusive service delivery.
• Helpful, respectful, and team-oriented approach.
• Takes initiative and follows through on commitments.
• Organized, resourceful, and efficiency-minded.
• Open to feedback, learning, and continuous improvement.

V. WHAT WE OFFER

• Opportunity to be part of a growing, dynamic team engaged in meaningful and community-centered work.
• Fifteen (15) days of annual vacation, increasing to twenty (20) days after one year of employment, plus holiday closure and personal or sick days.
• Group health benefits, including family coverage.
• RRSP contribution opportunity.
• Free parking and refreshments on site.

VI. HOW TO APPLY

If you think you are a good fit for this position, we look forward to receiving your application through this platform and getting to know you. Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis, and candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

We understand the effort involved in a job application and, unfortunately, can only provide feedback to shortlisted candidates. We thank all candidates for their interest.

The Rideau-Rockcliffe Community Resource Centre (RRCRC) is committed to building a workforce that reflects the diversity of our community. We encourage applications from Indigenous peoples, racialized communities, people with disabilities, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and individuals with intersectional identities. Accommodations are available for applicants with disabilities throughout the hiring process. Please contact us in advance to discuss how we can meet your individual needs.