# Kitchen Prep Specialist

**Company:** [Growing Places](null/companies/fpgimwdrFAfwQUDUti3JQB.md)
**Location:** Gardner, United States
**Workplace:** on site
**Employment type:** Part-time

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## Description

**Love Food, Community & Local Farms? Join Our Kitchen Team!**

Are you energized by a fast-paced kitchen, passionate about high-quality food, and excited to support local farmers and your community? **Growing Places is looking for a Kitchen Prep Specialist (KPS) to join our team!**

The **Kitchen Prep Specialist** works alongside our Production Manager to help transform fresh, locally grown produce into high-quality food products that reach families, schools, hospitals, restaurants, and other communities across Massachusetts.

This **up to a 25-hour-per-week position** is based at the **Growing Places Local Food Center in Gardner, MA**, where you’ll be part of a team helping strengthen our local food system.

**What You’ll Help Make Possible**

·       Prepare and lightly process fresh, local produce

·       Support NCMA farmers by creating new markets for their products

·       Help supply healthy, local food to schools and institutions

·       Support food access through hospitals, restaurants, and community partners

·       Help provide fresh, nutritious food directly to households through Growing Places’ SNAP/MA Healthy Incentives Program Home Delivery Program

**If you love working with food, enjoy being part of a mission-driven team, and want your work to make a difference in the community, we’d love to hear from you!**

**Position Responsibilities**

-   **Processing and Preparation:** Wash, trim, peel, cut, and portion produce using specialized equipment following pre-determined recipes
-   **Production Line Operations:** Operate and monitor food processing equipment, including commercial peelers, Robo Coupes, freeze-dehydrators, steam-jacketed kettles, and packaging machines
-   **Packaging and Labeling:** Accurately package and label finished products for retail or wholesale, ensuring they meet quality standards
-   **Quality Control and Safety:** Following GP’s Good Manufacturing Practices, ensure quality control and safety through regular checks of product quality, temperature, and equipment condition
-   **Sanitation and Maintenance:** Maintain a clean and sanitary work area, including cleaning equipment, tools, and processing lines in compliance with established Good Manufacturing Practices
-   **Documentation:** Recording keeping per Growing Places Standard Operating Procedures
-   Other related duties as assigned

## Requirements

**Qualifications:**

-   Experience working in fast paced food environments
-   Experience with food processing, specifically produce preferred
-   Experience with food processing equipment operation and maintenance
-   ServSafe Certification and Allergy Awareness Certification (if not Certified will sponsor costs)
-   Understanding of community food systems, NCMA a plus
-   Detail-oriented
-   Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a team environment
-   Passion for local food and its impact on community health and the environment

This position is year-round. Some weekends and evenings may be asked to work on occasion.

## Benefits

$22 to $25 per hour based on experience