Berkshire Bounty

Produce Gleaner Intern Job Description

Position Title: Produce Gleaner Intern

Position Type: Part-time/Seasonal (e.g., July–October)

Location: Local Farms, Backyard Orchards, Food Access Farms and  Farmers’ Markets,

Key Responsibilities

  • Harvesting: Working with a team of volunteers to collect surplus, high-quality produce from partner farms and vendors that would otherwise go to waste.

  • Post-Harvest Handling: Assist with sorting, washing, packing, and weighing rescued produce for distribution.

  • Logistics & Distribution: Transport produce from fields/markets either directly to food pantries or to cold storage. 

  • Documentation: Track weights, where it was delivered to and enter into our database.

  • Communication: Interface with farmers, market managers, volunteers and community partner staff in a professional manner. 

Qualifications

  • Physical Ability: Ability to work on feet for long periods, lift at least 40  lbs, and work in various weather conditions (heat, rain).

  • Transportation: Reliable transportation to various farm sites and a clean driving record (if operating a company vehicle). Drivers license and insurance required. 

  • Passion for Sustainability: Strong interest in food justice, sustainable agriculture, and community service.

  • Reliability: Strong work ethic and ability to follow food safety instructions carefully. 

  • Positive, can do attitude

What You Will Learn

  • Sustainable Agriculture: Understanding farm production, crop cycles, and post-harvest handling techniques.

  • Food Security: Hands-on experience tackling hunger in the local community.

  • Logistics: The process of managing farm-to-food-access distribution. 

Compensation & Schedule

  • Schedule: Intern will create a schedule based on ideal timeframes for gleaning sites and volunteers

  • Compensation: $1725 for the season

To Apply: Please send your resume and a brief statement of interest to Program Manager Jenny Schwartz, jenny@berkshirebounty.org. 

Non-Discrimination Policy

Berkshire Bounty encourages candidates from all backgrounds to join our team. Berkshire Bounty does not discriminate on the basis of color, race, national origin, religion, gender, physical or mental disability, or age in any of its policies, procedures or practices. Nor does it discriminate against persons because they are disabled Veterans, or because of their mental condition, their ancestry, marital status, sexual orientation, or citizenship within the limits imposed by law. This policy covers all employment practices, admission to volunteer opportunities, and client participation in any program Berkshire Bounty offers to the public.

Organizational Overview

Berkshire Bounty is a 501(c)(3) food rescue organization dedicated to collecting, purchasing and delivering nutritious food to emergency food distribution programs countywide. We build capacity, close gaps and improve the quality of food for the food insecure population.

Using over 100 registered and active volunteers, Berkshire Bounty collects donated food through a network of 31 retailers and delivers that food to 34 distribution organizations that directly serve the community including food pantries, public schools and senior centers. Berkshire Bounty also operates a robust Food Purchase Program. Through this program, we use a significant percentage of donated funds to purchase nutritious food including meat, dairy, eggs, fresh produce and culturally appropriate items to build capacity and improve the quality of food choices at our partner distribution sites.