Spice Kitchen Incubator AmeriCorps VISTA Summer Associate

Spice Kitchen Incubator is a food business incubator assisting low-to-moderate income individuals, primarily refugees, asylum seekers and asylees, and other new Americans to start food businesses that leverage their natural culinary talent, create a sufficient source of income for their household and contribute to the diversity of Salt Lake City’s food scene.

This position will be part of a fast-paced environment and team that focuses on market access and income generation through logistics and hands-on work. The Summer Associate will be responsible for supporting the kitchen and events team with event coordination and execution, e-commerce sales and growth, and identifying sustainable practices and educational opportunities to ensure entrepreneurs have long-term access to income generating markets avenues.

AmeriCorps Summer Associates receive a living allowance for the time served, which is equivalent to the amount received by full-time members serving in the area, and the choice between a Segal AmeriCorps Education Award or an end-of-service summer stipend. Only those Summer Associates who successfully complete their full term of service are eligible to receive the education award or end-of-service summer stipend.

Major Responsibilities:

The Summer Associate will work with entrepreneurs and the Spice Kitchen Incubator team to identify sustainable income-generating activities while growing community partnerships and integrations. This position will focus on event coordination and management, e-commerce, and community engagement.

ØProvide hands-on technical assistance to entrepreneurs in the kitchen and promote food safety regulation according to local and state food authorities

ØRecord outputs using online databases and software like Microsoft Suite, Google Suite, and Podio

ØLiaise and coordinate logistics between entrepreneurs and potential customers requesting food services participants

ØDevelop entrepreneurs’ digital literacy skills and familiarity with permitting and licensing regulations, including product review and approval, renewal of necessary permits and food safety inspections as needed.

ØConnect entrepreneurs to digital literacy and microenterprise resources using the IRC Bundled Services Model

ØProvide one-on-one technical support related to packaged or prepared products

ØIncorporate market research results and develop business operations to increase participant capacity for sales independent of Spice Kitchen’s marketing opportunities.

ØEnsure profitability of products and identify areas to substitute local produce via recipe costing and menu development

ØRefine, present, and distribute workshop curriculum(s) related to packaged products, pitch decks, permitting, licensing and e-commerce systems