School Food & Market Development Lead 

Reports to: Project Director
Start date: ASAP

Why join Honoré?

Honoré Farm and Mill is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, dedicated to restoring and strengthening the relationship between people and the land through regenerative farming practices, the cultivation of heritage grains and experiential education. We do so by honoring agricultural practices that revitalize the health of our communities while building resilience into our dynamic food system to benefit future generations to come. 

Position Summary

Are you a relationship builder who enjoys creating new opportunities in an entrepreneurial environment? Honoré Farm and Mill is seeking a School Food & Market Development Lead to expand the use of California-grown whole grains in school meals and build new markets for Honoré Hourani wheat products.

The ideal candidate brings food sales and business development experience, knows how to build demand and lasting customer relationships, and is eager to apply those skills within school food and regional food systems.

This position will lead Honoré’s USDA Farm to School grant, including the development of a new school food product made with Honoré Hourani wheat. The work will encompass product development, taste testing, menu integration, education, technical assistance, and increased procurement across Child Nutrition Programs.

The role will also cultivate commercial opportunities with bakeries, restaurants, retailers, distributors, and other food businesses—helping more locally grown grain reach the people and communities it was grown to nourish.

This is a collaborative, hands-on role within a small and mighty organization, suited to someone who can drive projects independently, build strong relationships, and contribute broadly across the team.

Hours: Part-Time | Approx. 0.55–0.65 FTE 

Schedule: Flexible part-time, hybrid schedule with in-person work in the Bay Area. Tuesday morning availability is required for Honoré’s weekly in-person team meeting in San Rafael. Additional in-person work is required for periodic school visits, customer meetings, events, and other program activities. 

Farm to School Key Responsibilities

  • Develop and grow relationships with school partners to increase procurement of Honoré Hourani wheat products 

  • Manage opportunities from product introduction and sampling through taste testing, menu integration, purchasing, and repeat procurement

  • Identify and address barriers to school purchasing in collaboration with school food leaders, distributors, co-packers, and other partners

  • Coordinate recipe testing, product evaluation, and development of school-ready whole-grain products

  • Provide technical assistance and hands-on training to school food service staff on whole-grain products, recipe adaptation, and menu integration 

  • Participate in school visits, educational programs, workshops, and Mobile Mill demonstrations 

  • Organize and document student taste tests, staff evaluations, and educational activities

  • Maintain relationships with school districts, farmers, co-packers, distributors, and community partners

  • Track project indicators and coordinate USDA grant monitoring, evaluation, and reporting 

  • Represent HFM at relevant meetings, training sessions, conferences, and peer-learning events. 

Commercial Development & Market Expansion Key Responsibilities

  • Develop new customers for Honoré Hourani wheat products across bakery, restaurant, retail, wholesale, and other food channels

  • Build and manage a pipeline of prospective customers, including outreach and follow-up

  • Grow existing accounts and develop opportunities for repeat and increased purchasing

  • Build relationships with chefs, bakers, buyers, distributors, retailers, and other food businesses

  • Contribute to product positioning and marketing strategies that support sales, including sales materials, sampling, demonstrations, and events 

  • Gather customer and market feedback to identify opportunities for new products, formats, partnerships, and distribution

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

  • Proven experience in food sales, business development, account management, or market development, preferably within the food industry

  • Demonstrated ability to develop new customers, build lasting relationships, and grow sales

  • Strong understanding of how food products move from producer through distribution to the end customer

  • Experience working with chefs, food service operators, distributors, retailers, institutional buyers, or other food-industry customers

  • Strong sales instincts, including prospecting, understanding customer needs, presenting products, and maintaining consistent follow-through

  • Experience with product marketing, positioning, sampling, and customer outreach

  • Knowledge of school food, institutional food service, Child Nutrition Programs, or food procurement preferred

  • Ability to apply commercial food-industry experience to the school food market and navigate complex purchasing environments

  • Highly organized and self-directed, with strong communication skills and the ability to manage multiple accounts, projects, and stakeholders

  • Interest in regional food systems, whole grains, and regenerative agriculture

  • Must reside in the San Francisco Bay Area

  • Valid driver’s license and ability to travel throughout the Bay Area

Compensation / Benefits

Hourly rate, paid monthly, $35-$40 per hour, depending on experience

Generous discount on flour

How to Apply: Please send your resume and a short note outlining your interest in the role and relevant experience to info@honoremill.org by Sunday, September 27. Candidates selected for interview will be contacted the week of September 28.