Food Production Worker – Student Work Placement Program

Key Notice:
This position is contingent on the candidate being approved by the federal Student Work Placement Program (SWPP). Employment can only proceed once the funder confirms eligibility and approves the placement.

Overview

The Food Production Worker supports the safe, efficient, and high‑quality production of value‑added food products. This role involves hands‑on processing tasks—including canning, pickling, dehydrating, freezing, packaging, and labeling—while maintaining strict food‑safety standards. The Worker also assists with product costing, batch documentation, and continuous improvement of production workflows.

About the Placement

Mastermind Youth Foundation supports the food and beverage processing sector by involving students directly in real food production and preparation activities through our FoodFutures initiative. Students work with fresh ingredients from start to finish, gaining hands‑on experience in the early stages of the food value chain and in basic food‑preparation environments.

During their placement, students participate in:

- washing, sorting, trimming, and preparing fresh produce
- safe food handling and sanitation practices
- freezing, preserving, pickling, and dehydrating ingredients
- preparing ready‑made foods such as soups, sauces, dressings, and simple meal components
- packaging,



labeling, and organizing finished products
- maintaining cleanliness, workflow, and quality standards

These tasks mirror foundational responsibilities found in many food and beverage processing workplaces. While Mastermind Youth Foundation is not a commercial processor, FoodFutures placements provide practical, real‑world experience aligned with Ontario’s agri‑food and processing industries.

About Mastermind Youth Foundation

Mastermind Youth Foundation is a youth education and career‑development organization that gives young people real, hands‑on experience across STEM, agriculture, media, and creative industries. We create “learning‑by‑doing” environments where youth operate real projects, build practical skills, and contribute directly to community initiatives.

Our goal is to help young people gain confidence, workplace readiness, and clear pathways into employment, post‑secondary programs, and local industry sectors.

FoodFutures is one of our core initiatives, engaging youth in growing, preparing, and producing food—including fresh, preserved, and ready‑made products—while supporting community food security and aligning with Ontario’s food and beverage processing sector.

Pay: $18.00 per hour

Expected hours: 20.0 per week

Work Location: In person

📌 Food Production Worker - Student Work Placement Program (Sarnia)
🏢 Mastermind Youth Foundation
📍 Sarnia