Produce Assistant
Company : Natural Grocers
Location : Cedar Rapids, IA, 52402
Job Type : Full Time
Date Posted : 30 December 2025
Salary Range
USD $16.00/Hr. -Overview
The Job in a Nutshell: The Produce Assistant is responsible for assisting the Produce Manager in the successful operation and profitability of the produce department. Applications are accepted by the date below, which may be updated if the hiring timeline is extended.11/12/2025
Responsibilities
Main Ingredients:
Although this is a general outline of job responsibilities all employees are expected to be “hands on” and do whatever it takes to get the job done and make the company thrive.
Qualifications
Recipe for Success:
This job description is not an employment contract. It does not guarantee a job or that the above listed duties are the limit of responsibilities. The job and job description are subject to change with and without notice. Employees are required to accomplish any and all tasks assigned to them by their Manager and/or other Store Support Center manager that might not be listed in this job description.
Here’s an overview of the benefits we offer our good4u Crew to help ensure the health and wellbeing of you and your family, now and well into the future:
All Crew Members
- Birthday Bonus Pay
- Vitamin Bucks (up to $2,080 earned as store credit annually)
- Holiday Pay for 5 Holidays – Stores Closed
- Paid Time Off (sick days and vacation) that Increases with Tenure
- Paid Nutrition Education
- good4u Crew Member Discount
- {N}power Program (customer appreciation and rewards program)
- Regular, Scheduled Pay Increases
- Advancement Opportunities and Career Development
- Health and Wellness Program
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Employee Referral Program
Full-Time Crew Members (30+ hours/week)
- Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance
- Paid Parental Leave
- Paid Medical Leave (through company paid short-term disability insurance)
- Company Paid Short-Term Disability Insurance
- Company Paid Life Insurance
- Voluntary Benefits Including Hospital Indemnity, Accident Insurance, Long-Term Disability Insurance, Term Life Insurance
- Retirement Savings Plan (401k) with discretionary Company Match
- Healthcare and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
- Health Savings Account (HSA) with Company Match
Diversity Statement
At the heart of Natural Grocers' commitment to our community and crew is this belief: All people should be empowered to experience health and wellbeing! We cannot be true to this conviction without honoring diversity and cultivating inclusion throughout every aspect of our organization.
At Natural Grocers, we honor our differences, embrace diversity, and cultivate inclusion because both individual and societal health are rooted in these principles. Our Crew is diverse not only in gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, abilities, and age but also in cultural backgrounds, thoughts, and ideas. Celebrating our diversity refreshes, expands, and shapes our perspective, energizing our mission of equitable access to health and wellness for all. We welcome everyone who would like to join us in this mission, with gratitude for the unique life experience each person brings to the table. We’re committed to nurturing an ecosystem of diversity and inclusion in which our Crew can continue to thrive.
Physical Capabilities and Environmental Demands:
N = Never
O = Occasional; 1-33% of time
F = Frequent; 34-66% of time
C = Constant; 67-100% of time
Physical Requirements:
- Must have the ability to constantly lift or carry up to 10 lbs., frequently lift or carry 11-20 lbs., and occasionally lift or carry 21-50 lbs. Must also have the ability to occasionally lift or carry 51-100 lbs. with a team lift.
- Must have the ability to frequently push or pull up to 15 lbs. and occasionally push or pull 16-100 lbs.
- Must be able to occasionally use the computer for data entry and use of mouse.
- Must be able to constantly walk, stand, use fine motor manipulations, grip, bend, twist, turn, and reach outward for the duration of the work shift.
- Must be able to frequently to reach above chest.
- Must be able to occasionally sit, squat, kneel, and climb as needed.
Environmental Requirements:
- Must be able to frequently work with sharp tools and equipment, dust, fumes, and congested worksite.
- Must be able to occasionally work with noise, cold, heat, wet, humid, outside, heights, and contact stress.
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Frequently asked questions
In Cedar Rapids, many employers prefer produce assistants to have up-to-date food safety certifications, such as ServSafe. These credentials ensure compliance with local health regulations and demonstrate a commitment to safe handling and storage of fresh produce, which is critical for maintaining quality and customer trust.
Cedar Rapids has a moderate demand for produce assistants due to its growing grocery and natural foods sectors. While opportunities exist, candidates with experience in organic produce and customer service, especially those familiar with companies like Natural Grocers, often stand out in this local job market.
Produce assistants focus specifically on managing fresh fruits and vegetables, ensuring product freshness, inventory accuracy, and adherence to organic standards. Unlike general grocery roles, they balance customer service with specialty knowledge of produce handling and department profitability.
Emphasizing customer service excellence, produce handling expertise, inventory management, and familiarity with organic certification requirements will boost your profile. Additionally, proficiency in basic computer tools and cash handling skills complements the operational demands of this role.
Starting as a produce assistant opens pathways to supervisory roles like produce manager or department lead. Gaining experience in inventory control, staff training, and profitability management can accelerate advancement, especially within companies valuing internal promotion.
Natural Grocers emphasizes organic produce quality and community health, expecting assistants to uphold strict organic standards and customer education. The role integrates hands-on produce care with involvement in wellness initiatives, setting it apart from conventional grocery roles.
Natural Grocers offers career advancement opportunities, ongoing nutrition education, and employee benefits including paid time off and health programs. This supportive environment helps produce assistants enhance their skills while contributing to the company’s health-focused mission.
Produce assistants in Cedar Rapids generally earn around $16.00 per hour, reflecting the local market for grocery retail roles. This rate aligns with entry-level positions involving produce handling, customer service, and inventory responsibilities.
This role requires frequent lifting up to 20 lbs., occasional team lifts up to 100 lbs., and constant standing and walking. The job also involves handling sharp tools and working in varied environmental conditions, making physical stamina and attention to safety essential.
Daily tasks include maintaining fresh produce displays, assisting with inventory and orders, providing customer support, and ensuring compliance with organic standards. Produce assistants also help train staff and may cover cashier duties, making for a dynamic and customer-focused routine.