Job Description

Salary: 27.83

Community Garden Coordinator

Reports to: Green Barn Supervisor

Current Vacancy

30 Hours per week

Contract End Date: December 31, 2026

Union position

ABOUT THE STOP:

The Stop Community Food Centres mission is to increase access to healthy food in a manner that maintains dignity, builds community, and challenges inequality. From its origins 40+ years ago as one of Canada's first food banks, The Stop has since grown into a vibrant community centre that uses food as a gateway to addressing many issues, including poverty, the environment, social isolation, and health in one of Torontos lowest-income neighbourhoods. The Stop is accredited by Imagine Canada for excellence in non-profit accountability, transparency, and governance.

The Opportunity:

We are looking for a candidate to coordinate and maintain multiple community gardens and grow-spaces. The successful candidate will also plan and facilitate several unique community garden and social enterprise programs, including a year-round Farmer's Market. The Coordinator will work under the supervision of the Green Barn Supervisor.

Key Duties & Responsibilities:

Garden & Program Coordination

Coordinate and facilitate seasonal and year-round programming (e.g., Dig-In, Global Roots, Mashkikiiakiing Garden) and food-based social enterprise programming (e.g. Farmer's Market, 10-Metre Greens)
Coordinate and facilitate community garden programming at various locations across the City of Toronto, including garden spaces in partnership with community organizations; and at The Stops locations including Green Barn grow spaces (e.g. Greenhouse)
Ensure gardens, greenhouse, kitchen and community spaces are well-maintained and fully equipped.
Maintain organic production in the greenhouse and gardens, ensuring proper seed starting, monitoring growth, pest management, watering, and harvesting.
Support greenhouse and garden planning, including planting schedules, seed ordering, seedling production, and crop rotation.
Coordinate seedling giveaways, including contacting community gardens and managing production/distribution.
Maintain compost systems and ensure waste management aligns with sustainability
Facilitate involvement of other Stop programs (e.g., Healthy Beginnings, Community Advocacy) as well as outside groups and organizations in community gardens.
Collaborate with the Kitchen team to incorporate garden produce into programming and food security initiatives (i.e. Drop-in).
Other duties as

Volunteer & Community Support

Facilitate volunteer engagement in gardening activities, providing support and
Support facilitation of community and garden-based
Maintain collaborative communication with The Stop staff, local agencies, and community partners (e.g. CultureLink and Native Mens Residence)
Connect volunteers and community members with external learning opportunities, community events, and resources.
Work closely with the volunteer program to support and engage seasonal

Event & Program Assistance

Organize and facilitate workshops, site visits, and special events (e.g., Educational Workshops, Program Open Houses, Seedling Giveaways, Good Food for All Festival).
Coordinate educational programming with external groups and The Stops
Conduct garden and greenhouse tours for visitors and community
Assist with staffing and animating drop-in times in the Greenhouse and at the Farmers

Administrative & Reporting

Maintain accurate program records, harvest logs, evaluation and administrative
Support outreach and program promotion (e.g., workshops, social media, newsletters).
Participate in 1-1 meetings with GB supervisor, team meetings, staff meetings and planning sessions.
Support the development of program reports, funding proposals, and identifying potential funding sources.
Ensure compliance with The Stops policies (e.g., Anti-Racism, Anti-Oppression, Health & Safety, and Environmental Policies).

Qualifications

1-2 years of farming, community gardening or urban agriculture experience, especially in organic and sustainable methods.
Strong project coordination, facilitation, and conflict resolution
Experience coordinating and supporting diverse
Commitment to food justice, anti-racism, and social equity
Demonstrated ability to work within a diverse community (people of different ages, abilities and cultural backgrounds)
Basic computer literacy (Microsoft Office, OneDrive).
Availability to work Saturdays is required; some additional evening or weekend availability may be required.
The role requires regular travel to multiple program sites across Toronto, including locations within walking distance and others that may require up to approximately 90 minutes of travel by TTC. Candidates must be willing and able to travel between sites as part of their regular duties.
Food Handler Certificate and First Aid training (or willingness to obtain).
Ability to work independently and
Valid Ontario drivers license (G2) (asset).
Ability to speak a language relevant to the community (asset).

The Stop

Open Positions

Community Garden Coordinator