JOB VACANCY: Sunday Market Stall Worker

We have an exciting opportunity to join not only our team, but also the bustling and social Sunday Market community! Read on for more information and how to apply.

We are looking for an outgoing person with a commitment to building a local and sustainable food system to staff 5 Acre Farm’s weekly stall at the bustling Tobacco Factory Sunday Market in South Bristol.

The role involves transporting produce to and from the market in the farm’s van, so for vehicle insurance reasons we are only able to hire someone aged 25 or over.

About Five Acre Farm:

We are a small mixed farm in Backwell, 6 miles southwest of Bristol. We are run along agroecological principles without the use of artificial chemicals, and we put soil health at the centre of what we do. We currently have six team members each working between 1 and 4 days a week, in a range of growing and community engagement roles.

Our main focus is on veg production, but we also have a cut-flower operation, 10 active beehives and a young orchard. We are a Community Interest Company and are committed to fostering local engagement with sustainable local food production and nature connection through volunteer days, pick-your-own flowers and on-farm events.

We produce a wide range of veg and herbs, specialising particularly in leafy veg and summer polytunnel crops. This year we will be growing on around 1.3 acres of tractor-cultivated beds and 0.5 acres of mulched no-dig beds (including 0.2 acres in polytunnels).

We are linked to the Tobacco Factory family and were established in 2018 as part of their mission to contribute to sustainable local food systems. We retail our produce through the market stall and our onsite Flower Barn, and wholesale to the Five Acre Farm Shop and Tobacco Factory in South Bristol, as well as assorted other local shops, restaurants and veg box schemes.

Job Description:

The role is a great opportunity for someone who cares about locally-grown, nature-friendly food to play a role in supplying that produce to the people of South Bristol. The Sunday Market has a lovely energy and provides a great opportunity to talk to customers about the work we do at the farm. Ideally we would like the successful candidate to work a one-off paid shift alongside the growing team at the farm to help build their understanding of what and how we grow.

The working day follows this pattern:

• Collecting van from Tobacco Factory, driving to Five Acre Farm (15 mins approx), loading van with produce, plants and flowers for sale from our barn.
• Returning to Tobacco Factory yard, unloading van, setting up stall (using racks, tables etc stored at Tobacco Factory), checking price labels
• Serving customers during market opening hours 10-2:30
• Keep stall stocked and tidy, quality control of produce
• Packing down stall, returning leftover produce to farm, returning van to Tobacco Factory

Essential Attributes:

• Some retail or hospitality experience
• Understanding of and enthusiasm for the principles of organic/regenerative farming
• Outgoing personality
• Clean driving licence
• Aged 25 or over
• Eye for detail, quality control, correct labelling etc

Desirable Attributes:

• Knowledge of the qualities and seasonality of a wide range of fruit and veg
• Some knowledge of cut flowers

To apply, please send a cover letter and CV (or any queries) to Jon – jon@fiveacre.farm.