Food Services Coordinator

**The Position**

Under the supervision of the Supportive Family Housing Program Coordinators, the **Food Services Coordinator & Lead Cook** will oversee and provide daily food services. This role includes developing and implementing a daily meal program to enhance the food security of participating families. The Coordinator/Lead cook directs, supervises and evaluates the work of kitchen staff/volunteers and ensures that food handling, preparation, storage, serving, cleaning of premises etc., is completed in accordance with the Food Premises Regulation of the _Public Health Act, _the _Food Safety Act _and other relevant regulations.

They will develop and implement a skill-based cooking program that aactively engages families in meal planning, cooking/cleaning and lunch prep tasksThey will plan daily menus for family dinners and “grab and go lunches” that are high quality, nutritious, sufficient to meet dietary needs, palatable and culturally-based (whenever possible).

Coordinator/Lead cook prepares daily dinners (alongside the Assistant Cook, volunteers and /or other program staff), and packed lunches for next day, with the active involvement of families and support staff. Additional responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

- Shopping and ordering food/supplies.
- Managing the food budget.
- Overseeing the Assistant Cook’s daily work.
- Directing the Weekend Cook and ensuring that all required supplies are provided for weekends.

**Duties Include**:

- Develop and implement a daily meal program to enhance the food security of participating families.
- Ensures that food handling, preparation, storage, serving, cleaning of premises etc., is completed in accordance with the Food Premises Regulation of the _Public Health Act, _the _Food Safety Act _and other relevant regulations.
- Plan daily menus for family dinners and “grab and go lunches” that are high quality, nutritious, sufficient to meet dietary needs, palatable and culturally-based (whenever possible).
- Ensure that the Weekend Cook has clear direction and that all required supplies are provided for weekend meals.
- Develop and implement a skill-based cooking program to educate parents, children and youth on healthy eating. actively engage families in meal planning, cooking/cleaning and lunch prep (for the next day).
- Is the lead cook and directs all food handling and meal preparation tasks.
- Plan, budget, purchase groceries and prepare daily meals, while facilitating the skill development of families through role modeling and actively engaging them in hands on learning.
- Responsible for the ordering of program groceries and cleaning supplies including facilitating order pickups as required.
- Maintain health and safety standards within the kitchen, ensuring a daily routine of cleaning and sanitization, ensuing proper labeling and storage. This includes measures to prevent pest infestations.
- Regularly inspect the kitchen including all appliances, and supplies ensuring any damage is identified and repaired.
- Develop and maintain strategic partnerships with external resources and services which support the goals of the program.
- Provide supervision and support to families and staff accessing the kitchen ensuring they are aware of a follow health and safety expectations.
- Promote an environment of safe cooking practices with the ability to respond to emergent circumstances
- Maintain an inventory of food items, supplies and cleaning supplies.
- Maintain workspaces and participate in the general cleanup of the building on a daily basis.
- Ensures that garbage, recycling and food waste are properly disposed of. This includes ensuring that bins/dumpsters and service fences are locked and “bearproofed”.
- **Administration**_
- Ensure that food services are provided within budgetary constraints.
- Ensure appropriate documentation of interactions with families, documentation and incident reports as required.
- Directs, supervises and evaluates the work of others. This includes performance-management and evaluation tasks.
- Leads kitchen staff meetings and attends other staff meetings.
- **Care Coordination and Collaboration**_
- Works collaboratively with other departments to coordinate the “food hub” (ie. Food Security Coordinator and Meals on Wheels).
- Works under the direction of the Program Coordinator.
- Coordinators with the Facility Caretaker to ensure that the facilities remain pest free and that all amenities and appliances are in good working order.
- Collaborates with Family Support Workers and other nation staff to create a successful meal program that works for participating families.
- Supervises, directs and evaluates the work of the Assistant Cook, the Weekend cook and food service volunteers (including family caregivers, when they are working in an enhance volunteer capacity).
- Participation in working groups, meetings, and information sessions internally and with external groups.
- **General, Administrat