Nonprofit Program Coordinator – Food Justice & Community Nutrition

Career Guide
Plans and runs programs that expand access to healthy food and provide community nutrition education. Coordinates volunteers and partners, manages logistics and budgets, and tracks outcomes to meet grant goals and community needs.

Key Responsibilities

  • Plan and deliver community nutrition workshops and cooking demos
  • Coordinate food distribution events, CSA boxes, or pantry partnerships
  • Recruit, train, and schedule volunteers and peer educators
  • Build and maintain partnerships with schools, clinics, and farms
  • Track participant data and outcomes; prepare grant reports
  • Manage program budgets, supplies, and logistics
  • Conduct outreach and promote programs across neighborhoods

Career Progression

Can Lead To
Program Manager (Food Security)
Community Nutrition Manager
Program Director
Transition Opportunities
Health Educator
Community Health Worker
Grants Coordinator
Food Systems Planner

Common Skill Gaps

Often Missing Skills
Grant budgeting and complianceProgram evaluation and outcomes reportingNutrition education facilitationPartnership development with food banks, farms, and clinics
Development SuggestionsTake an online course in program evaluation and grant reporting (e.g., Coursera/CDC TRAIN); volunteer to lead nutrition lessons at a pantry or school and complete ServSafe Food Handler.

Salary & Demand

Median Salary Range
Entry Level$40,000–$50,000
Mid Level$50,000–$62,000
Senior Level$62,000–$75,000
Growth Trend
growing — more funding for food security and community health; rising need

Companies Hiring

Major Employers
Feeding AmericaShare Our Strength (No Kid Hungry)YMCA
Industry Sectors
Non-Profit & Social ImpactPublic HealthFood & AgricultureEducation

Recommended Next Steps

1
Earn ServSafe Food Handler and begin CHES prep or modules if pursuing health education work.
2
Complete a community nutrition or public health course and build a simple outcomes dashboard in Excel/Sheets.
3
Connect with a local Feeding America member food bank or food policy council for an informational interview and offer to support a pilot workshop.