Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) Food Loss & Waste Program
Event Planner/Workshop Coordinator Call for Applications
Application Deadline: September 1, 2025, 5 p.m. EST
Contract Funding Amount: $56,818
Project Timeline: October 1, 2025 – September 30, 2026
Call for Applications Link: SARE Grant Management System
For more information, contact: Lisa Johnson at ljohnson@sare.org
Application Timeline:
- August 2025: Call for Applications Released
- September 1, 2025 at 5 p.m. EST: Applications Due
- September 2025: Applications Reviewed
- October 1, 2025: Position Start Date
Introduction
The United States Department of Agriculture recognizes the impacts of food loss and food waste on food security and the environment. In response, USDA, in concert with agency partners, is working toward the goal of reducing food loss and food waste by 50 percent by 2030.
In the latest effort in reduction activities, Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) has initiated a Food Loss and Waste Program, supporting projects that align with USDA activities aimed at reducing food loss and reducing food waste. The Southern region SARE program, based at the University of Georgia, serves as host institution for the Food Loss and Waste Program. SARE is a USDA grant-making program focusing on sustainable agriculture principles.
In addition to supporting Food Loss and Waste prevention and reduction projects through grant funding, USDA-NIFA has provided additional funding to convene state, city, county, and tribal stakeholders, along with non-profit partners, to identify local efforts needed and ongoing to further prevent food loss and waste. Recent research has identified the fact that many food loss and waste efforts fall into the recycling category, such as composting, rather than the prevention and reuse categories which can provide benefits beyond recycling. Immediate progress is necessary in order to reach national goals.
One-day Food Loss and Waste workshops in 10 U.S. states aim to connect local stakeholders, identify achievable goals, and leverage available staff and resources to spark immediate action. Virtual meetings including several states will follow in-person workshops.
In order to successfully hold 10 workshops around the U.S., Southern SARE is seeking one (1) Event Planner/Workshop Coordinator to assist in the planning, coordination, and execution of the workshops.
Scope of Work
The following include responsibilities of the Event Planner/Workshop Coordinator.
Collaborate with National SARE Food Loss and Waste (FLW) Program Manager to:
- Develop background information and list of invitees for each of ten states;
- Plan agenda, activities, and logistics for each workshop;
- Engage stakeholders to commit to attendance at workshops;
- Lead workshop activities including (but not limited to) leading sessions and activities, notetaking, sending invitations and registering attendees, reserving venues, ordering workshop meals and supplies, and set-up and take-down;
- Coordinate and execute virtual meetings that include stakeholders from several states;
- Summarize activities, outcomes, and findings in a comprehensive final report.
Who Can Apply
The Event Planner/Workshop Coordinator is a national seat open to qualified applicants in the contiguous U.S.; Alaska; Hawaii; the U.S. territories of Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, Micronesia, and Northern Mariana Islands; and sovereign nations Republic of Palau and Marshall Islands. Individuals meeting qualifications are invited to apply.
The Event Planner/Workshop Coordinator will be funded through a one-time, cost reimbursement subaward agreement between University of Georgia and the individual to fulfill the listed responsibilities. The successful candidate will report to the National SARE FLW Program Manager as needed throughout the term of the contract.
Applicants should:
- Have a strong understanding and familiarity with USDA and SARE programs;
- Have previous experience and deep understanding of food loss and waste programs and policies across the spectrum of food systems (agriculture, businesses, consumers, schools);
- Be skilled in program development, including, but not limited to, planning, leadership development, grantmaking, business management, evaluation and
communications; - Have a proven track record of ability to work with diverse stakeholders;
- Demonstrate strong governance and exhibit good research and critical thinking skills.
Application deadline is September 1, 2025, 5 p.m. EST. For more information on how to apply and review criteria, visit Event Planner/Workshop Coordinator Call for Applications at https://www.sare.org/wp-content/uploads/SARE-Call-for-Applications-FLW-Event-Planner.pdf.
Released by SARE Outreach on behalf of the Southern Region of the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program. Funded by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), Southern SARE operates under cooperative agreements with the University of Georgia, Fort Valley State University, and the Kerr Center for Sustainable Agriculture to offer competitive grants to advance sustainable agriculture in America’ Southern region. USDA is an equal opportunity employer and service provider.