Volunteer opportunities

There is a lot going on at the Market. If you want to help, look at this list of activities or just contact us and we'll help you figure out what you will enjoy doing. That's the most important thing -- join us and have fun.

Market Days

Market Managers: Be the “person in charge” of the market for the day. Resolve any problems that come up with vendors or customers and ensure that the market runs smoothly. All day or half day commitment between 12:30 and 7:30 PM (7 PM after Labor Day). Don’t worry! We’ll train you and pair you with a veteran the first time!

Market Table Volunteers: Staff information booth. Answer questions from shoppers, give out information, help people sign up for our eNews, and help with anything the Market Manager may need. There are four 1½ -2-hour shifts available each week, including set-up and clean-up.

Market Day Volunteer Coordinator: Help to find and schedule market day volunteers to help set up and clean up our table at the market, as well as to sit at our information table during the market.

Sign patrol: Place signs early in the morning (preferably before rush hour traffic), and remove them at end of the day.

Performers: musicians, magicians, jugglers, puppeteers, and street performers of any kind. We'd love to have you entertain the Market.

Behind the Scenes

Fundraising: Do you enjoy fundraising for non-profits? We are looking for someone to help start a fundraising program for the BFCI to fund many exciting projects.

Organize and supervise special events: Help with one or more events. Annual events include: MA Farmers’ Market Week (3rd week in August) and the Apple Dessert Contest (late Sept or October). Also, dream up new activities (maybe a bike or walk theme).

Liaison with activities involving Belmont Center merchants: Possible projects could include organizing special shopper coupon incentives. Coordinating samples from Belmont restaurants. Collaborating with wine or beer stores for tastings.

Yard Sign Adopter: Put a BFM yard sign on your lawn

Yard Sign Placement Assistant: Find strategic private locations for yard signs and secure owner permission

Marketing and publicity

Marketing Outreach Coordinator: Contact local businesses to see how we can collaborate with them to bring more shoppers to the market- van trips on lunch breaks? Coupon give aways for star employees? Work with HR at some of our big employer neighbors (Fresh Pond area, Arsenal complex, Beaver Brook area, and McLean Hospital are a few ideas) to explore these possibilities!

Photographer: Take photos at the market of vendors, products, performers, and special events.

TV program producer: Plan and execute a local cable show about the market and/or growing food.

Newsletters

Weekly eNews: Help to write and produce our weekly email newsletter for shoppers.

Roots & Sprouts: JJoin the editorial team to write articles, help find other writers, and come up with new ideas for articles for our quarterly print newsletter.

Education about Producing Your Own Food

Workshop Coordinator: Work with the education committee to find local residents with expertise in beekeeping, backyard chickens, specialty growing such as hydroponic, or other topics. Organize and conduct workshops that enable others to learn about these areas.

Pomona Project: Work with other volunteers to continue and/or expand existing bulk plant order project. Explore possibility of bulk seed order.

Garden Planner: Explore establishing food gardens in town-owned housing (Belmont Housing Authority) complexes for residents to cultivate and tend.

Food for those in need

Food Donation Liaison: Act as liaison among the Belmont Food Pantry, Boston Area Gleaners and Belmont Food Collaborative.  Coordinate drop-offs and volunteers to assist at the Pantry on its four open times: first and third Saturday mornings; second and fourth Tuesday evenings.

SNAP Coordinator: Help with logistics for accepting SNAP (Food Stamps) at the market. Work on outreach to those who will be able to take advantage of this program.

Other exciting projects

We're looking to develop new programs like these:Film series, lecture series, discussion groups. Let us know if you have some ideas.

Volunteers range from teens to seniors. We'll help find just the right job for you.

Some of our volunteers at the
2012 opening day