Bekah Kropp

Experience

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  Northland College

  Nov 2018 - Dec 2019

  Research Assistant at the Center For Rural Communities

  - Applied research-based solutions to social and economic challenges in rural communities- Partnered with local community members to build on local knowledge to increase food access in food deserts- Researched local rural food systems - Utilized Qualtrics to design and execute surveys - Assisted in research focused on expanding sustainability projects at Northland College such as increasing local food in our cafeteria

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  Valley Natural Foods

  Mar 2020 - Aug 2020

  Wellness Buyer

  - Product Curation: Selected a diverse range of supplements and herbal products for the wellness department, focusing on holistic health.- Ingredient Sourcing: Ensured all products met strict health and sustainability standards by meticulously sourcing ingredients and understanding their origins and benefits.-Market Research: Conducted thorough research on both emerging and established wellness products to stay ahead of industry trends and customer needs.- Built and maintained strong relationships with suppliers, negotiating favorable terms to ensure a consistent supply of in-demand items.-Carefully managed stock levels to maintain an optimal balance between variety and availability, avoiding overstocking and minimizing out-of-stock situations. Show less

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  Duluth Community Garden Program

  Aug 2020 - Aug 2021

  Director of Education And Outreach

  -Led grant-funded projects to address community health issues, significantly improving access to nutritious food and gardening education.-Expanded educational outreach efforts by 50%, using content creation skills to increase engagement and participation across the community.-Successfully obtained and managed grant funding, demonstrating effective leadership and resource management skills.

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  Mississippi Market Natural Foods Co-op

  Aug 2021 - Jan 2022

  Grocery Buyer

  - Evaluated and selected products from local, regional, and international suppliers- Developed and maintained strong relationships with suppliers- Managed inventory of product - Analyzed pricing structures to achieve competitiveness while maintaining desired profit margins

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  The Food Group Minnesota

  Jan 2022 - Nov 2023

  Farm Education Specialist

  - Oversaw the strategic direction for the Farmer Education Program- Developed 1:1 education plans for 15-20 farm teams -Managed communication with government agencies and non-profit organizations- Met multiple grant deliverables, timelines, and budget items-organized, implemented, and tracked all aspects of the curriculum based on program and farmer goals -Designed program evaluation metrics to both highlight successes and identify areas for improvement-Co-Host in planning annual farmer conference Show less

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  INFRA

  Feb 2024 - now

  Associate Category Manager

  Supporting natural food retailers across the US.