How Can I Become a Food Rescue Broker?
- 1). Learn the history of food philanthropy. The Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency have always promoted food donation programs, but efforts undertaken by concerned parties were traditionally disorganized or temporary. By the 1990s, formal arrangements between food brokers and charities created unique chains of distribution in every area of the country. The role of "food rescue broker" existed, but the job had no formal name. Charity staff served as unofficial brokers. When the 1976 Tax Reform Act made charitable food donations advantageous for manufacturers, relationships increased and continue to be formed.
- 2). Understand the role of the food rescue broker. Informal relationships established between restaurants, food purveyors and food stores with soup kitchens, rescue shelters and charities fueled growth, but fragmented responsibilities were the result. Some groups did nothing but find food donors. Others were willing to transport food but nothing else. The job title "food rescue broker" began to be used to describe the go-to person undertaking everything from finding new food donation sources and setting up exchanges to handling paperwork, reporting and overseeing deliveries. Since every charity/supplier relationship is unique, you'll find plenty of diversity in this job.
- 3). Make your qualifications fit. Because the title is new, you won't find a job overview on the pages of the government's "Occupational Outlook Handbook"; but if you happen to possess education and/or work experience in food brokering, marketing, food science, nonprofit outreach, sales, logistics and manufacturing you'll likely be a good fit. Configure your resume to showcase your ability to organize, expedite and expand operations; stress your interest in working for humanitarian causes; and emphasize communications skills to position yourself for a career in this evolving field.
- 4). Learn how to juggle: Land a job as a food rescue broker and you're going to need serious multitasking skills. You'll be responsible for knowing exactly which types of foods are eligible for donation and distribution (e.g., close-to-code, out-of-code with extended shelf-life recommendations, mislabeled, discontinued and so on), and you'll be asked to diplomatically communicate with both donors and recipients. Expect to set up a uniform system of reporting, accounting and tracking transactions between givers and charities so all records are above reproach.
- 5). Think Outside the Can: As a food rescue broker, staying current on laws like the Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Food Donation Act is an important part of your job to protect your employer from civil or criminal liability in case food products donated "in good faith" cause harm to recipients. Keep tabs on food distribution legislation as well. Your creative ideas will be a great asset to both parties, too. Proposing the addition of pet foods to the supply chain, for example, adds a big helping of humanity to your role as facilitator.