Become a Food First Intern or Volunteer

• Basic Information
• Internship Tasks
• Internship Application

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Thank you for your interest in internship opportunities at Food First. Since Food First was founded in 1975, volunteers and interns have played important roles in all aspects of the Institute's work.

Interns work with staff on specific projects for anywhere from 15 to 40 hours per week for a minimum of three months. Interns conduct research and analysis, provide outreach and education, and assist with publications and publicity.

Food First Internships - Background Information

A few things you should know about all Food First internships:

• Interns working at the Food First office spend 20-25% of their time on administrative and other office duties. The vast majority of time will be spent on your specific project.
• Some interns wish to receive college credit for their work. We will do whatever possible to insure that your internship meets those requirements.
• While all interns and volunteers should have a regular work schedule, time commitments are flexible depending on your work or school schedule and the nature of the project.
• All intern work becomes Food First property.
• All internships are unpaid.

RESEARCH & TRANSLATION

Research supports the following program areas:

• Building Local Agri-Foods Systems
• Farmers Forging Food Sovereignty
• Democratizing Development: Land, Resources and Markets

Tasks include:

• Identifying and analyzing data
• Identifying and publicizing alternative agriculture success stories
• Identify and compile latest information on the impact of biofuels on food access and the environment
• Document the impact of corporate consolidation on access to healthy food
• Translating to Spanish, French and Portuguese
• Research on-line for documents in other languages (Spanish, Italian, French and Portuguese)
• Edit documents in Spanish, French and Portuguese.

OUTREACH AND EDUCATION

1. Edit and write for Food First's e-mail newsletter, People Putting Food First.
2. Develop fact sheets, activist and resource guides for members on issues such as genetic engineering of seeds, water, transnational corporate control of food, and community food systems.
3. Assist with maintaining Food First's web site by surveying other nonprofit websites for new ideas for both format and content, and possible links to related sites. Or use your social network savy to reach out to your friends on Food First issues.

PUBLISHING, MARKETING, PUBLICITY AND FUNDRAISING

1. Publishing intern: assist with of the newsletter and book publishing.
2. Update the book Alternatives to the Peace Corps.
3. Maintain a database of book reviewers and media outlets for author interviews/feature stories. Assist with press packets.
4. Assist with maintaining a database of journalists and media outlets.
5. Learn how to fundraise for a nonprofit organization. Assist with member services. Identify and obtain information on potential foundation, family foundations, and major donors.

Submit your application below!

In addition to this form, please send your resumé, cover letter indicating why you want to intern, names of two references, and a short writing sample to Marilyn Borchardt.