(Cook) Food Security Coordinator

Job Title: (Cook)
Food Security Coordinator

Reports To: Manager, Programs & Services

Category: Full-Time

Hours & Compensation: 35 hours/week, $31.73/ hour

OPSEU Bargaining Unit:
Yes

Date Posted: Wednesday, November 4, 2026

Applications Due:
Tuesday, November 17, 2026, 5PM

About North York Women's Shelter:

The North York Women's Shelter ("NYWS") actively supports the rights of women, trans, and non-binary individuals and their children as they build lives free from violence by providing safe shelter, advocacy, and a range of trauma-informed programs and services including 24-hour crisis support. Our vision is to create a community characterized by gender equality where women, trans and non-binary individuals and their children feel empowered and safe.

About the role:

The
Food Security Coordinator
is responsible for providing meal preparation and food-related programming for residents including adults and children while maintaining a safe, healthy, and welcoming kitchen environment. The role is also responsible for administrative tasks required to keep the kitchen running smoothly such as purchasing, tracking inventory, and budgeting to support the smooth day-to-day operations of the kitchen and Food Security Program. This posting is for a vacancy.

What you will be doing:

Meal Preparation & Supply Coordination

• Prepare daily nutritionally sound and culturally sensitive meals that support residents’ health and enjoyment while maintaining a safe, clean, and organized kitchen environment.
• Support meal preparation during special events, workshops, Clients programs and other activities
• Prepare meals that are considerate of cultural and health-related needs and preferences of residents, ensuring food quality, taste, portions, and preparation meet NYWS standards.
• Coordinate the purchase of food and Food Programming supplies working within a defined budget with consideration given to seasonality, availability, as well as residents’ needs and preferences.
• Maintain, order, stock and maintain inventory of food, supplies and/or kitchen utensils in consultation with Programs and Services Manager or designate.
• Prepare weekly menus in consultation with residents and post menus in communal areas.
• Design balanced meals using the Canada Food Guide
• Utilize the food waste tracking tool Daily Ten, to ensure proper use of resources.
• Ensure stock of nutritious snacks for school and after school programming.
• Manage vendor relationships effectively, ensuring timely communication and efficiency.
• Support residents with kitchen access and scheduling as needed.
• Coordinate with Second Harvest and other food banks delivery for delivery of food donations and stock items received from food banks, ensuring proper stock rotation.
• Maintain clean and safe kitchen, storage, and equipment areas, documenting cleaning and equipment maintenance activities as needed, and comply with all food safety, sanitation, and applicable Health and Safety guidelines, policies and procedures, including but not limited to:
  • Using proper techniques when using tools, supplies, and equipment
  • Wearing and correctly using proper personal protective equipment
  • Complying with standards for temperature-sensitive food items

Food Education and Programming

• Facilitate workshops, knowledge exchange and deliver food programming in a way that is participant-driven and provides education and skills related to nutrition, food security, and food justice.
• Foster Diversity, Equity and Inclusion by considering diverse cultures, physical abilities, neurodiversity, and lived experiences of residents and their children in the design and delivery of food education and programming.
• Engage residents and their families one-on-one to identify, support, and monitor nutritional needs, including dietary restrictions, food allergies, cultural and religious preferences, and other special dietary requirements. Gather feedback on food programming and service from residents during resident meetings and make improvements to programming and service based on feedback.
• Develop and maintain partnerships with external community agencies and groups related to food security and food justice.
• Collaborate with residents prior to their departure to develop a food security plan based on their food preferences, dietary requirements, and other considerations.

Health & Safety Responsibilities

• Follow defined Health and Safety protocols with respect to health and safety of staff and residents with respect to kitchen and kitchen related matters e.g., closing and locking kitchen doors, putting away sharp objects, not leaving hot objects unattended, etc.
• Uphold health and safety standards as well as food handling and hygiene guidelines in all aspects of kitchen operations.
• Identify and report any food safety concerns, equipment issues, maintenance needs, or hazards immediately to the appropriate staff member.
• Clean kitchen, pantry and storage areas including appliances and shelves according to health and safety standards.
• Adhere to health and safety requirements e.g., First Aid CPR certification, maintain up to date safe food handler certification, and be knowledgeable of Canadian Dietary Guidelines and Canada Food Guide, and participate in updated training as required.

General and Related Responsibilities

• Uphold confidentiality of all clients and residents in accordance with organizational policies.
• Maintain current knowledge of food security, food justice, and trauma-informed practice and seek out knowledge and resources to inform continuous improvement of food education and programming as well as meal preparation.
• Attend and participate in additional team building, training, in-services, and community outreach projects as required.
• Oversee all kitchen volunteers and/or student placements.
• Other duties as assigned.

Who you are:

• You have completed post-secondary education in a related field such as Culinary Arts, Food Security and/or Food Justice.
• You have a valid Safe Food Handler Certificate.
• You have a minimum of 3 years of experience with preparing meals in a communal setting and working in a commercial kitchen environment.
• You have excellent customer service skills and are able to communicate respectfully and effectively with residents including adults and children, as well as staff and other members of the NYWS community.
• You are highly dependable, punctual, and professional.
• You have a high degree of confidentiality and discretion.
• You have a satisfactory Vulnerable Sector Check (PVSC) or would be willing to obtain one as a condition of employment.
  
• You have comprehensive knowledge of health and safety protocols and procedures for a kitchen environment.
• You are excited to work in a collaborative and pet-friendly environment.
• You have basic proficiency with Microsoft Office tools such as Outlook, Word, and Excel.

Nice to Have:

• You have a deep understanding of the ways in which food security threatens the safety and security of women and children.
  
• You are enthusiastic, have strong work ethic, and passion for food service and programming and have general knowledge of community resources.
• You are able to work from an intersectional feminist, anti-racist and anti-oppressive lens, leveraging a trauma-informed approach.

How to apply:

Does this sound like the right opportunity for you? If so, please submit your application by Tuesday, November 17, 2026, at 5PM.

Please kindly note, applications will only be accepted through the BambooHR application system. We appreciate all applications we receive, however, only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. Please do not call the Shelter.
NYWS does not use AI in its recruitment process