Food Rescue Coordinator

CALIFORNIA CLIMATE ACTION CORPS

Food Rescue Coordinator at Farm Discovery at Live Earth

Location: Watsonville, California

Number of Positions Available: 2

Time Commitment: September 21, 2026 - August 13, 2027

This is a full-time, 11-month, 1700-hour program from September 21, 2026 - August 13, 2027. Fellows in this position commit to a 40-hour work week, Monday - Friday, approximately 8:30AM - 5:00PM, with occasional evening and weekend commitments based on project needs. 170-340 of these hours are dedicated to professional development. 

**Please note: Due to the full-time commitment of the Fellowship, students enrolled in undergraduate courses between Sep 21, 2026 - Aug 13, 2027 will not be eligible to participate in the California Climate Action Corps Fellowship.

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About the California Climate Action Corps Fellowship

The California Climate Action Corps has over 400 positions available across California for the 2026-27 CCAC Fellowship. This is a climate-focused, workforce development program for emerging climate and environmental leaders. These are paid, full-time fellowships—similar to internships—with 170-340 dedicated hours for professional development and training, providing hands-on experience in the climate field.

CCAC Fellows are matched with organizations across California to mobilize communities to take direct climate action and lead projects focused on wildfire resiliency, urban greening, and organic waste diversion.

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Applications are accepted May 1 - July 31, 2026, with priority consideration given to applicants who apply and undergo a CCAC info session before June 19.

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Program Benefits

Supportive, thoughtful environment in a beautiful setting. Focus on professional development and creative program development. We have weekly access to fresh organic produce from our partner Live Earth Farm. Other benefits include:

• Receive a $35,250 stipend (before taxes) distributed evenly over the 11-month service term
• Receive $10,000 in education awards (before taxes and upon completion of 1700 hours)
• Participation in 170-340 hours of training and professional development
• Receive $300 in professional development funds
• Receive food assistance via CalFresh (for those eligible)
• Forbearance on existing qualifying student loans and interest payments accrued during the service term
• Minimum essential healthcare coverage
• Childcare assistance (for those eligible)

Description of Duties

Farm Discovery is stewarding & expanding a climate action initiative to combat food insecurity and environmental waste in the Pajaro Valley. Through our expanded gleaning program, we'll recover edible produce directly from local farms and redistribute it to community members facing food insecurity. We're simultaneously scaling our composting operations—using traditional methods and vermiculture—to divert organic waste from landfills and reduce methane emissions. Our goals include recovering and donating 10,000+ pounds of fresh produce annually, diverting 2+ tons of organic waste, delivering food rescue & compost education to 500+ students through field trips and summer camps, and increasing volunteer participation by 40% from the previous year. At Farm Discovery, you'll lead gleaning events, recruit and manage volunteers through community outreach, and teach composting and food waste reduction to local community members. This hands-on role puts you in the fields, at community events, and directly connected to your impact. If you're passionate about environmental justice, love the outdoors, and want to create immediate, visible change in food systems and sustainability, this fellowship offers a powerful opportunity to lead climate action in the Pajaro Valley. Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Coordinate with Live Earth Farm & local food banks to lead gleaning events with volunteer teams to oversee harvest and distribution of recovered produce to community organizations 
• Recruit and manage a volunteer network through community tabling & gleaning events, creating promotional materials, building local partnerships, and nurturing relationships
• Manage, maintain, and expand composting systems—traditional and vermiculture—processing food scraps and green waste from farm partners to divert organic material from landfills 
• Deliver climate education programming on composting, gleaning, and food waste reduction to community members and students during field trips & day camps
• Coordinate the diversion of surplus farm greens and other low-grade edible food to support food recovery education efforts and supplies for farm animal feed
• Track program data and analyze results to quantify climate impact

Minimum Program Eligibility Requirements

• Live in California by August 14, 2026
• Be at least 18 years of age by August 14, 2026
• Must possess a high school diploma or equivalent
• Must be a US Citizen, US National, or lawful US resident to participate

Preferred Qualifications/Skills

Ability to lift up to 30 lbs, and experience in community outreach, composting, edible food recovery, engaging with K-12 students, environmental education, environmental justice/equity, event coordination & planning, Google Suite, graphic design, native plant management, project management, public speaking/facilitation, and volunteer management & engagement. Fluency in Spanish is a plus. Other valuable contributions include:

• An interest in climate change mitigation, volunteerism, or public service
• Experience with outreach, education, training, or community behavior change
• Fundamental understanding of climate change science, environmental policies in California, and/or environmental priorities
• Excellent organizational, writing, interpersonal, and speaking skills

About Farm Discovery at Live Earth

Farm Discovery at Live Earth is a nonprofit organization operating in the Pajaro Valley community to empower youth and families to build and sustain healthy food, farming, social, and natural systems. We are currently developing a farm composting and a volunteer-run gleaning program, with the goal of increasing access to fresh food and reducing food waste. More info: farmdiscovery.org

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Apply Today!

Applications are accepted May 1 - July 31, 2026, with priority consideration given to applicants who apply and undergo a CCAC info session before June 19. Interviews will take place May-Aug, with all positions filled by September 4, 2026. This is a competitive program, and interviews are not guaranteed. CCAC is an equal opportunity Fellowship with a preference for candidates already living in the communities they will serve. Applicants can select up to 5 preferred positions within the California Climate Action Corps Fellowship application.