Ayako & Family is a queer Japanese-American femme owned jam and bread business in its second generation. We were founded by Ayako Gordon in 2010 in her desire to take nostalgia within the diaspora and extend its offerings, through food, to the greater Seattle community. We are a farm-partnered company and have been sourcing fruit for over a decade from Japanese farmer Mair Farm-Taki in Yakima, WA, while our business is based in Seattle. Our commitment through our work is to showcase the excellence and joy that exists in communities of color and those unjustly marginalized through our partnerships and relationships within the company and beyond. Our vision within the company is to cultivate safe, nurturing spaces that encourages the celebration of our identities through the sharing and creation of food. We predominantly produce stone fruit jams and shokupan - a Japanese style of white bread, and retail at the weekend farmers markets in Seattle.
Ayako & Family is looking for a Farmers Market Associate to lead our booth at the University District Farmers Market! Applicants must be available on the weekends and have a driver's license and food handler's permit.
The University District Farmers Market is one of the oldest and largest year-round markets in Seattle. It takes place every Saturday with open hours from 9am-2pm and hosts over 75 vendors each season, with farms taking precedence at this location. This is a significant community for Ayako & Family's as it is where our farmer, Mair Farm-Taki vends as well.
We are looking for someone who is excited to continue the legacy of our community here by nurturing connections with our regular customer base and farm vendors, make toast, and sling jam through the year.
We provide a vehicle from our main location in Fremont but you must have:
-driver's license and driving experience
-the ability to lift and maneuver 25-50+ lbs.
-at least one year in a front-facing, hospitality/service role. That can include retail though food service is preferred. We are willing to train the right peep so if all of this is you but you have little to no food experience, don't be discouraged!
-availability on Saturdays with a commitment through December 2022
-food handler's permit (can be acquired after onboarding)
-interest in food and community building
This position is fun, social, and fast paced in the Summers with the benefits of vendor trades at market for fresh produce and building communities with a diverse crowd of farmers and producers. Note that these markets occur rain or shine but we are committed to making certain that you are safe and comfortable throughout the season!
$18/hr + tips starting wage with guaranteed 3% raises annually with room for review after 6 months. This is part time with an average of 8 hours a week with potential to work a partial shift at Ballard Farmers Market Sundays.