Project Category:
Internship (Unpaid)
Weekly Hours:
Flexible, minimum availability on Tuesdays between 8am – 2pm is required to attend taste tests.
Seeking:
Undergraduate Students, Alumni, Graduate Students
Farm to School interns are a part of our regional Farm to School program that works collaboratively with 30 school districts in South Central New York. Farm to School interns will work as part of a team with the Farm to School Coordinator to develop, implement, grow, and evaluate programs to bring healthy, local food to students. Interns will work with staff, students, parents, farms, and community partners to increase capacity for hands-on learning, local procurement, and creating a school-wide culture of health.
Internship terms are flexible, with opportunities for fall and spring semesters, or the entire school year. Availability on Tuesdays between 8am – 2pm is required to attend taste tests.
Program goals:
- Increase access to healthy, locally grown food through school meals, including lunch
- Engage students in hands-on learning through growing, cooking, and tasting new foods in order to build their skills, food literacy, and healthy food preferences
- Cultivate farm to school leadership among students, staff, and volunteers
- Build capacity and sustainability through improved coordination, community outreach, and parent involvement
Responsibilities of this position may include, but are not limited to, the following:
1) Deliver educational programs and special events including after-school or summer clubs, community programs, and harvest celebrations
2) Support Farm to School taste tests which typically occur on Tuesdays from 8am – 2pm throughout the school year
3) Maintain a regular presence in school cafeterias to promote healthy options, local food, and NY Thursday menus
4) Design outreach and publicity materials
5) Assist with promotion of local food, NY Thursday menus, and related farm to school content through social media, blog posts, newsletters, and videos
6) Assist school staff, students, and volunteers with school garden maintenance and hands-on learning opportunities
7) Attend regular meetings
8) Regularly record programming data for evaluation and reporting
9) Serve as an independent member of the Farm to School team
10) Assist in resource development to support Farm to School activities to the extent permitted
Qualifications:
- Interest in working in public health, child nutrition, local/regional food systems, gardening and agriculture education, or other relevant fields
- Experience teaching or working with groups of kids (formal or non-formal)
- Comfort working in a kitchen (home or commercial, desirable but not required)
- Willingness to learn social media and communication skills is desired
- Strong interpersonal and organizational skills
- A valid driver’s license and a personal vehicle
- Commitment to Rural Health Network’s mission and values