Title: Community Food and Nutrition Worker
Reports to: Health & Wellbeing Programme Manager
Title: Community Food and Nutrition Worker
Reports to: Health & Wellbeing Programme Manager
Contract type: 1-Year Fixed term contract initially, 35-hours per week
Location: Athy
Do you want to make a difference in the lives of individuals and communities?
County Kildare Leader Partnership in partnership with Sláintecare Healthy Communities are delighted to offer this exciting opportunity for a dynamic individual with a strong track record in making a difference in people’s lives to work with individuals who are struggling with food poverty and poor diet which can have a detrimental impact on their whole health and wellbeing.
Food poverty is the inability of individuals and households to secure an adequate and nutritious diet. It can affect those living on low incomes, with limited access to transport and poor cooking skills. Although the cost of healthy food is a major factor, the inability to access a healthy diet is a complex issue that incorporates education, transport, literacy, culture and environmental planning. Poor diet is a major public health issue linked with increased rates of obesity and chronic disease. In Ireland, poor diets are low in fruit and vegetables, fibre-rich foods and oily fish, and are high in energy, saturated fats, salts and sugars due to high intake of confectionary and processed foods. The Irish population reflects this dietary pattern; with 34% of people consuming “unhealthy foods” on a daily basis and just 37% of the population consuming the recommended 5+ portions of fruit and vegetables.
The purpose of the post is to provide capacity for the Sláintecare Healthy Communities to improve community health and wellbeing in the designated healthy community areas by addressing the issues of poor diet and food poverty. In Kildare this initiative is focused on the Athy area.
To that end we are looking for a Community Food and Nutrition Worker to establish a community kitchen in Athy which will serve the needs of individuals and the communities who live there. In addition to deliver evidence informed services to improve local population health and wellbeing outcomes, assessing the needs within the community in relation to food and nutrition, the role involves developing, designing and implementing additional innovative responses addressing food poverty and poor diet of the target groups. Additionally, the Community Food and Food Poverty Measurement Outcomes Framework provides a guide to shape the work of the CFNW.
If you have a track record of working with people and are energised by the potential to improve people’s quality of life focusing on food and nutrition impacting their whole health and wellbeing, then this job may be for you.
Role and responsibility - What you’ll do
As the Community Food and Nutrition Worker, you will imagine, design, develop and support the establishment of a community kitchen in Athy. Recruit and maintain volunteers who will support you in the running of the kitchen. Oversee and run the facilitation of new food and nutrition programmes as well as facilitate and improve upon existing ones.
You will be responsible for the following key responsibilities:
- Working with and supporting a range statutory and community organisations to develop and implement evidence based effective responses to improving the food environment in communities, addressing food poverty and reducing health inequalities as part of Sláintecare Healthy Communities and where appropriate in collaboration with safefood funded Community Food Initiative;
- Supporting the delivery of Healthy Food for Life guidelines focused workshops and community programmes including Healthy Food Made Easy, weaning workshops, healthy eating for older adults to develop the health awareness of individuals, groups and organisations and empowering them to make healthier food choices;
- Co-ordinating the activation of agreed national campaigns that address healthy lifestyles and Healthy Food for Life guidelines in local communities; and
- Working with the HSE national co-ordinator to identify and respond to training needs and resource development arising from strategic national and local agendas, and participate in agreed networks and collaborations;
- Planning Logistics for the successful establishment of a community kitchen in Athy.
Your Key working relationships include your line manager as well as the following:
- Local Authority Sláintecare Healthy Communities Co-ordinator
- HSE Sláintecare Healthy Communities Co-ordinator & Health Promotion & Improvement Officer
- Local area Sláintecare Healthy Communities Steering Group
- HSE Community Dietetic Service
- HSE Project Dietitian with responsibility for national co-ordination of HFME and Community Food
- Safefood
- EU funded Community Food Initiative national co-ordinator
- CFN Peer Network for Dublin and Midlands
What we offer:
Competitive salary scale €41,575.20 to €51,208.08, based on qualifications and experience.
Annual leave: 21 days annual leave per year pro rata, with an increase of one day leave each year up to a maximum annual leave allowance of 25 days per annum.
PRSA: Option to join the organisation’s PRSA scheme after successful completion of probation. Auto-enrolment in My Future Fund may apply.
Flexible working practices.
Training and Development opportunities.
Employee Assistance Programme.
Open culture encouraging interaction and sharing of ideas and opinions.
Opportunity to apply for up to two days remote working as per CKLP policy.
How to apply
If you are interested, please send a CV and cover letter to [email protected] Job description is available at www.countykildarelp.ie. Reference: Community Food & Nutrition Worker Application. Closing date for receipt of applications: Friday 3rd July 2026 at 5pm.
Pay: €41,575.00-€51,208.00 per year
Benefits:
- Employee assistance program
Application question(s):
- Do you have a QQI Level 8 in the area of nutrition and health?
Education:
Work Location: In person
