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 Market Manager's Assistant 

Seasonal Part-time: 10 hours/week

May - October 2025

Starts at $20.00/hour

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Who We Are: 

Food is the foundation of good health. Forty Acres Fresh Market (FAFM) is an independent, Black woman-owned grocery business offering high-quality, fresh food to people across Chicagoland. We are working to restore healthy food access so that people across Chicago neighborhoods can have a worthwhile grocery experience regardless of zip code.

 

Forty Acres is currently in a rapid growth phase as we expand our operations, including the development of a brick and mortar store in Chicago's Austin neighborhood. 

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Who You Are: ​

Do you want to be part of building a business that is a catalyst for community change? Do you believe that everyone should be able to get affordable fresh food in their neighborhood? Are you interested in rebuilding neighborhoods that have endured years of divestment? If so then this is the company for you. 

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The Job:

Forty Acres has partnered with the city of Chicago’s Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events for the Austin Town Hall Farmers Market (ATHFM). The goal is to leverage the City Market program to provide an engaging farmers market for the Austin community. The Austin Town Hall Farmers Market is every Thursday 1:00PM-6:00PM, rain or shine, from June 12 thru October 30, 2025.

 

The EBT Coordinator will communicate, provide assistance, and support the Austin Town Hall Farmers Market by processing SNAP transactions and distributing Link Match coupons according to market policy. Commitment to attend all scheduled market days through the season is needed.  The EBT Coordinator will work with Austin Town Hall Farmers Market staff, Experimental Station staff, market vendors, and SNAP clients. This position is also responsible for completing all weekly, monthly, and post season evaluation reporting and assisting in manning the market's welcome table. The market occurs rain or shine and can require work in inclement weather conditions. The position requires the ability to lift up to 50lbs (to assist with welcome tent setup) and to stand or sit for long periods of time.

 

Hours:

Thursdays - 12:00PM – 6:30PM (market operation)

Flexible - Up to 3.5 hours (transaction reconciliation, processing reimbursements and reporting). 

 

Duties include but are not limited to:​

  • Provide EBT/SNAP transaction service at the Austin Town Hall Farmers Market. EBT/SNAP service includes: setting up and taking down tents and equipment; performing and tracking EBT transactions; reconciling EBT transactions daily; and reimbursing vendors for the previous week's EBT sales.

  • Process, distribute, and collect Link Match SNAP incentives.

  • Full-day attendance on market days (Thursdays 11AM-7PM June 12-Oct 30, 2025). Market day activities include:​

    • Assist with Market Day setup and tear down.

    • Assist with enforcing market rules to ensure safety.

    • Assist with attendance tracking for every market day

    • Works collaboratively with market manager, host staff, Austin Town Hall staff, and other City of Chicago staff.

    • Answer questions and resolve problems related to SNAP EBT transactions and Link Match.

  • Provide post-season program evaluation reports, suggesting program improvements and offering statistical analysis.

  • Maintain the upkeep of marketing materials related to SNAP EBT and the Link Match program.

  • Familiarity with the market emergency plan, accident procedures and ability to respond appropriately.

  • Compliance with all federal, state, and local regulations.

  • Communicate effectively in all modes of communication with FAFM senior staff.

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Requirements ​

  • Availability for all scheduled market days

  • Must be capable of providing and modeling exceptional customer service

  • Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal skills

  • Willingness to work in an outdoor environment in all weather conditions, including rain and heat

  • The proven ability to work as part of a team and to foster collaboration

  • Good time management skills and the ability to prioritize

  • A detailed and deadline-oriented work ethic

  • Proficiency in email, spreadsheets, and data entry

  • Demonstrated commitment to farmers markets and local food systems

  • Reliable means of telephone communication (cell phone preferred)

  • A passion for farmers markets and urban agriculture

  • This position requires the ability to arrive at markets no later than 12:30PM, thus candidates must have reliable transportation.

  • Candidates must be available to work through October 31, 2025 and up to 10 hours afterward to complete post season reporting.

  • The ability to participate in all required training sessions provided by Experimental Station beginning ASAP.

 

Preferred Qualifications 

  • Previous experience working in farmers markets is a big plus

  • Experience working in Chicago’s Austin community

  • Previous cashiering and payment processing experience (particularly processing EBT payments)

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Forty Acres Fresh Market is an equal opportunity employer. We will not discriminate and will take affirmative action measures to ensure against discrimination in employment, recruitment, advertisements for employment, compensation, termination, upgrading, promotions, and other conditions of employment against any employee or job applicant on the bases of race, color, gender, national origin, age, religion, creed, disability, veteran's status, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.

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