Food Production & Farm Assistant
Location: Near Saffron Walden, Essex/Cambridgeshire Border
Hours: Full-time (Part-time considered for the right candidate)
Salary: 13/h
About Us
13 Acre Orchard is a certified organic orchard producing award-winning apple juice and artisan food products. We supply our own shop in Borough Market, London, alongside farmers' markets and independent retailers.
We're a small, ambitious business with a strong focus on quality, sustainability and producing exceptional food. As we continue to grow, we're looking for someone who wants to become an important part of the team and help shape the future of the business.
The Role
This is a varied, hands-on role where no two days are exactly the same.
Your primary responsibility will be helping to produce our range of organic juices, ensuring products are made safely, consistently and to the highest possible standard.
Alongside production, you'll help keep the kitchen, barn and storage areas clean, organised and running efficiently. As a small business, everyone gets involved wherever they're needed, so you'll also assist with general jobs around the farm and workshop, and occasionally help with our mushroom production.
Typical duties include:
- Producing and bottling organic apple juice.
- Preparing ingredients and maintaining production records.
- Cleaning and sanitising production equipment.
- Maintaining high standards of food hygiene and health & safety.
- Organising the kitchen, barn and storage areas.
- Managing stock and supplies.
- Assisting with mushroom cultivation when required.
- General practical jobs that support the day-to-day running of the business.
Please Note
This is a physically demanding role. Much of the day is spent on your feet and regularly involves lifting and moving crates of apples, bottles, ingredients and production equipment.
Some tasks are repetitive and require good attention to detail, consistency and pride in producing work to a high standard.
About You
We're looking for someone who is:
- Reliable, honest and trustworthy.
- Physically fit and happy with manual work.
- Able to work independently once trained.
- Organised and capable of managing their own workload.
- Clean, methodical and takes pride in maintaining a tidy workspace.
- Calm under pressure and able to prioritise tasks.
- Practical, adaptable and willing to turn their hand to different jobs.
- Interested in artisan food production.
- Interested in organic farming and sustainable food systems.
- Looking for a long-term opportunity to grow with the business.
Previous experience in food production would be an advantage, but it isn't essential. We're far more interested in finding someone with the right attitude, a willingness to learn and genuine pride in doing a job well.
Knowledge of food hygiene, HACCP or food manufacturing would also be beneficial, although training can be provided.
What We Offer
This is an opportunity to join a growing independent business where your work will make a genuine difference.
You'll gain experience across artisan food production, organic farming and small-scale manufacturing while taking on increasing responsibility as the business develops.
If you're someone who enjoys practical work, takes pride in producing high-quality food and wants to build a long-term career with an ambitious independent business, we'd love to hear from you.
Pay: £13.00 per hour
Work Location: In person
