PRODUCE & FLORAL DEPT ASSOCIATE

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 Fresh Market opened its first brick and mortar store in Chicago’s Austin neighborhood in September 2025.

About the role

We are looking for an outgoing, experienced, detail-oriented, and results-driven Associate to support the daily operations of our Produce & Floral Department, including the preparation of packaged cut fruit and juices. The Produce Associate is responsible for providing outstanding customer service while working alongside the Produce/Floral Department Manager in various key operational areas. We seek a detail-oriented person to help manage department inventory, margin, pricing integrity, and adherence to merchandising standards. As a FAFM team member, this Associate will exemplify Forty Acres’ values of Quality, Sustainability, Community Engagement, and Integrity.

Responsibilities

• Model and provide exceptional customer service by addressing customer concerns and questions.
• Ensure product quality by managing inventory, proper rotation, and culling for bad or out-of-date products.
• Cut, weigh, juice, and package produce for ready-made items.
• Follow and maintain procedures and processes implemented by the Produce Manager and Store Leadership to minimize department shrink.
• Maintain safety, sanitation, and regulatory standards, including proper handling and labeling of products.
• Keep both floral and produce displays clean, organized, and visually appealing.
• Perform other duties related to general store operations as assigned by management.

Requirements

• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• Capable of providing and modeling exceptional customer service.
• Excellent communication skills to effectively interact with customers, store leadership, and team members.
• Detail-oriented, self-motivated, and able to work independently or in groups.
• Ability to facilitate a positive work environment with outstanding teamwork and mutual respect.
• Weekend availability.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated interest in food and culinary arts.
• Ability to manage time effectively and prioritize tasks.
• Experience operating sharp knives, wrappers, scales, compactors, garbage disposals, hand trucks, pallet jacks, and similar equipment.

Work Environment / Physical Demands

• Physical ability to stand for extended periods, bend, climb, balance, stoop, grasp objects, kneel, crouch, and crawl.
• Frequently push/pull up to 100 lbs., frequently lift and/or move loads up to 50 lbs., and occasionally lift 75 lbs.
• Work with sharp knives, blending/juicing machines, and slicers.
• Ability to enter coolers and freezers, withstanding frequent temperature changes for extended periods.
• Occasional high stress when dealing with systems, customers, or staff.
• Able to work a flexible schedule with various shifts, including weekends and holidays, as determined by store/business needs.
• Must have a reliable source of transportation for timeliness, especially for opening shifts.

Pay

$17.25/hour

Benefits

• Up to 40 hours paid sick time annually.
• Up to 40 hours paid vacation time annually.
• 10% in-store employee discount (excludes alcohol and Mabel’s Meals).

This is a part-time, Chicago-based position.