Role Profile
Position Title: Food Sovereignty Coordinator
Department: Human Services
Reports To: Social Development Manager (or designate)
FTE/Hours: Full-Time, $30.00/hr
Location: Merritt, British Columbia, Canada
ABOUT LNIB
The Lower Nicola Indian Band (LNIB) is a vibrant and growing First Nations community in British Columbia, committed to the well-being, culture, and prosperity of its members. LNIB provides a wide range of programs and services including health, education, social development, governance, and economic development initiatives.
We value innovation, collaboration, and respect for our traditions, and we are dedicated to fostering a supportive, inclusive, and safe work environment for all employees. LNIB follows Indigenous governance principles and prioritizes community engagement, cultural knowledge, and sustainable development in all its operations.
Join LNIB and be part of a team that is making a meaningful impact in the community while contributing to a dynamic and culturally rich workplace.
POSITION SUMMARY
The Food Sovereignty Coordinator is responsible for developing, coordinating, implementing, and evaluating food sovereignty initiatives, food security programs, community meal services, cultural food education activities, and community capacity-building initiatives that support wellness, traditional knowledge sharing, and sustainable food systems within LNIB.
This role works collaboratively with community members, Elders, Knowledge Keepers, internal departments, and external partners to strengthen food access, increase self-sufficiency, promote traditional food practices, and support community wellness initiatives.
The Food Sovereignty Coordinator will support existing food programs and progressively assume leadership responsibilities related to community meal services including the Soup Kitchen and Meals on Wheels programs.
The position will also support community food access initiatives including large-scale food purchasing and distribution programs involving fruits, vegetables, salmon, meats, and other supplemental food supports intended to improve food security and wellness outcomes for Band and community members.
Future initiatives may include community cooking classes, canning workshops, food preservation activities, community gardens, harvesting initiatives, land-based learning opportunities, and food education programs.
This position requires strong organizational skills, relationship building abilities, cultural awareness, program coordination experience, and a commitment to Indigenous food sovereignty principles.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
FOOD SOVEREIGNTY & COMMUNITY PROGRAMMING
- Develop, coordinate, and implement food sovereignty initiatives and community food programs.
- Support food security planning and long-term sustainability initiatives.
- Assist with community gardens, greenhouse projects, seed programs, and local food production opportunities.
- Coordinate traditional food harvesting initiatives and cultural food activities where appropriate.
- Promote traditional food knowledge and culturally relevant food practices.
- Identify community food access barriers and recommend solutions.
- Develop strategies that improve food security and self-sufficiency within the community.
- Support emergency food response initiatives and seasonal food programs.
COMMUNITY MEAL SERVICES (SOUP KITCHEN & MEALS ON WHEELS)
- Support operations and future coordination of community meal programs including the Soup Kitchen and Meals on Wheels initiatives.
- Assist with long-term transition planning, program development, and operational oversight of meal services.
- Coordinate meal preparation schedules, service delivery activities, and distribution logistics.
- Organize meal delivery schedules, participant tracking, and service supports for Elders and community members.
- Collaborate with Elders programs, community services, volunteers, and support teams to ensure safe and efficient meal delivery.
- Monitor food inventory, kitchen supplies, purchasing requirements, and meal program needs.
- Support volunteer recruitment, scheduling, and coordination related to community meal initiatives.
- Assist with seasonal meal programs, community events, and emergency food response activities.
- Ensure Food Safe standards, food handling procedures, and applicable health requirements are maintained.
- Maintain safe, organized, and efficient food preparation and service environments.
- Monitor program participation, identify service gaps, and recommend improvements to strengthen meal supports and long-term sustainability.
FOOD DISTRIBUTION & COMMUNITY FOOD SUPPORTS
- Coordinate and oversee community food distribution initiatives and large-scale food disbursement programs.
- Hold primary responsibility for planning and coordinating major food order distributions for Band and community members.
- Lead purchasing, inventory management, and distribution logistics related to food support initiatives.
- Coordinate bulk ordering initiatives involving fruits, vegetables, salmon, meats, and other food items intended to supplement food access and community wellness supports.
- Coordinate receiving, storage, packaging, and distribution activities.
- Maintain accurate records related to food orders, inventory, participants, and distribution activities.
- Work collaboratively with community members, Elders, departments, and partner organizations to identify food priorities and service needs.
- Support emergency food distributions and seasonal food support programs as required.
FOOD EDUCATION, CULTURAL PROGRAMMING & CAPACITY BUILDING
- Develop and coordinate community food education initiatives.
- Facilitate cooking classes, nutrition workshops, and meal planning sessions.
- Coordinate food preservation programs including canning, freezing, dehydrating, smoking, and traditional preservation methods.
- Support workshops related to traditional foods, harvesting practices, family nutrition, seasonal food preparation, and food waste reduction.
- Collaborate with Elders and Knowledge Keepers to preserve and share cultural food knowledge.
- Support intergenerational learning opportunities involving youth, families, and Elders.
- Coordinate food-related community events and wellness initiatives.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT & PARTNERSHIPS
- Build relationships with Elders, Knowledge Keepers, community members, schools, health providers, food suppliers, funding agencies, and partner organizations.
- Facilitate community engagement sessions and feedback opportunities.
- Promote participation in food programs and wellness initiatives.
- Support culturally grounded programming aligned with LNIB values and traditions.
- Strengthen partnerships that advance community food systems and sustainability initiatives.
ADMINISTRATION, REPORTING & OPERATIONAL SUPPORT
- Maintain participant records, inventories, statistics, food distribution logs, and program documentation.
- Track program outcomes and prepare reports, updates, and recommendations for leadership.
- Support budget monitoring, purchasing activities, inventory tracking, and expenditure reporting.
- Assist with grant applications, funding opportunities, reporting requirements, and program sustainability initiatives.
- Maintain accurate, organized, and audit-ready records.
- Monitor program performance and identify opportunities for improvement.
- Ensure compliance with organizational policies, procedures, food safety standards, and applicable health requirements.
- Maintain confidentiality and privacy requirements in accordance with organizational expectations.
- Participate in program evaluations, operational reviews, and departmental planning activities.
- Support additional departmental priorities and community initiatives as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Post-secondary education in Indigenous Studies, Community Development, Social Work, Public Health, Nutrition, Food Systems, Environmental Studies, Recreation, Agriculture, Horticulture, Community Wellness, or a related field is considered an asset. Equivalent combinations of education, lived experience, traditional knowledge, and community experience may be considered.
- Minimum 2–5 years experience in food security initiatives, community programming, Indigenous services, Elder supports, wellness programs, meal services, cultural programming, community development, or related environments.
- Experience supporting community kitchens, food programs, Soup Kitchens, Meals on Wheels, cooking classes, canning workshops, food preservation activities, gardens, greenhouse initiatives, harvesting activities, or land-based programming is considered an asset.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES
- Understanding of Indigenous food sovereignty principles.
- Knowledge of traditional food systems and cultural food practices.
- Strong organizational and project coordination skills.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and community programs.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills.
- Ability to build collaborative relationships.
- Experience working with Elders and community members.
- Knowledge of food safety standards and meal preparation procedures.
- Budget monitoring and reporting experience considered an asset.
- Grant writing or funding support experience considered an asset.
- Understanding of Indigenous cultural values, traditions, and protocols is highly valued.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a team environment.
WORKING ENVIRONMENT
- Position is primarily on-site in Merritt, British Columbia.
- Work will occur in community facilities, kitchens, event spaces, outdoor environments, gardens, and program locations.
- Regular interaction with community members, Elders, youth, volunteers, and partners is expected.
- Occasional lifting, food handling, setup of community events, and transportation of supplies may be required.
- Evening, weekend, and community event participation may occasionally be necessary.
- Travel within community and surrounding areas may be required.
PREFERENCE
The Lower Nicola Indian Band (LNIB) follows Section 25 of the Human Rights Code, giving preference to Indigenous applicants where applicable.
