Internship Programs for Graduate Students

Growing Food Connections develops partnerships with internship sites nationwide to facilitate the training of future food systems planning professionals.

Education Internship Program

A key component of food systems education is providing students with hands-on training in food systems planning. In coordination with the Department of Urban and Regional Planning at the University at Buffalo and the Ohio State University, Growing Food Connections facilitates internships in food systems planning by identifying suitable public and private organizations as host internship sites for students. The Directory of Internship-Host Organizations are outstanding firms and organizations in the United States and Canada that can offer high quality internships to graduate students in food systems policy/planning.

Growing Food Connections LinkedIn Group provides members a listing of current food systems planning and policy internships and job postings, as they become available. If you would like us to post an opportunity, please email growingfoodconnections@buffalo.edu

Directory of Internship-Host Organizations

American Planning Association

Name of Department: Planning and Community Health Center

Type of Organization: Non-Profit Organization

Description:

APA’s Planning and Community Health Center is dedicated to understanding how the built environment affects public health. Through applied research, partnerships, and education, this center supports the integration of health into planning practice at all levels.

City, State:Washington, DC

Web Page: www.planning.org/nationalcenters/health/

Contact Person: Anna Ricklin

Title: Manager

Email Address: healthycommunities@planning.org

Phone Number:

Currently Hosting Interns:

Special Instructions:

Center for Resilient Cities

Name of Department:

Type of Organization: Non-Profit Organization

Description:

The Center for Resilient Cities is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that practices sustainable community development, working with neighbors to build communities that are good for people and good for the environment. Our process starts by asking neighbors about the values, needs and priorities of the community. Then we lend our expertise and develop partnerships to address both current and future challenges within the neighborhood.

City, State:Madison, WI and Milwaukee, WI

Web Page: www.resilientcities.org/Resilient_Cities/PROFILE.html

Contact Person: Marcia Caton Campbell

Title: Executive Director

Email Address: Marcia.CatonCampbell@resilientcities.org

Phone Number: Madison - 608-255-9877 Milwaukee - 414-930-4056

Currently Hosting Interns:

Special Instructions:

ChangeLab Solutions

Name of Department:

Type of Organization: Non-Profit Organization

Description:

ChangeLab Solutions is a national nonprofit based in Oakland, California that works to accelerate the transformation of neighborhoods, cities, and states into healthy, sustainable communities. We believe achieving the common good means everyone has nourishing food; safe places to live and play; plenty of opportunities to bike, walk, or take transit; fresh water; and clean air indoors and out. Meeting those needs requires laws and policies that link all aspects of community life — housing, education, jobs, the economy, and the environment – to healthy outcomes. Many communities lack those fundamental capacities, and we work to change that. Our unique approach, backed by decades of solid research and proven results, helps the public and private sectors make communities more livable, especially for those who are at highest risk because they have the fewest resources.

City, State:Oakland, CA

Web Page: www.changelabsolutions.org

Contact Person: Michelle Husby

Title: HR Coordinator

Email Address: jobs@changelabsolutions.org

Phone Number:

Currently Hosting Interns: Yes

Special Instructions: All open positions are listed on our website. Please check there for open positions and instructions for application. No phone calls please.

City of Baltimore

Name of Department: Office of Sustainability

Type of Organization: Local Government

Description:

The Office of Sustainability develops and advocates for programs, policies, and actions by government, citizen, businesses, and institutions that improve the long-term environmental, social, and economic viability of Baltimore City. In addition to overseeing and tracking the implementation of the Baltimore Sustainability Plan, the Office integrates sustainability into City government operations and develops partnerships with ground performing related work.

City, State:Baltimore, MD

Web Page: www.baltimoresustainability.org/

Contact Person: Holly Freishtat

Title: Food Policy Director

Email Address: holly.freishtat@baltimorecity.gov

Phone Number: 410-396-9509

Currently Hosting Interns:

Special Instructions:

City of Los Angeles

Name of Department: Los Angeles Food Policy Council

Type of Organization:

Description:

The Los Angeles Food Policy Council (LAFPC) is a collective impact initiative, working to make Southern California a Good Food region for everyone—where food is healthy, affordable, fair and sustainable.

The Los Angeles Food Policy Council, a project of Community Partners, was created in January 2011 by Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa to advance the mission of building a Good Food system for all of Los Angeles. We bring together leaders and experts from across sectors, geographies, and socio-economic communities to strengthen connections throughout the food system, and to facilitate and coordinate systemic change.

City, State:Los Angeles, CA

Web Page: goodfoodla.org/

Contact Person: Clare Fox

Title: Executive Director

Email Address: cfox@goodfoodla.org

Phone Number: 213-978-1568

Currently Hosting Interns: Yes

Special Instructions:

City of Minneapolis

Name of Department: Homegrown Minneapolis, Office of Sustainability, City Coordinator Department

Type of Organization: Local Government

Description:

Homegrown Minneapolis is a citywide initiative expanding our community’s ability to grow, process, distribute, eat and compost more healthy, sustainable, locally grown foods. Homegrown Minneapolis brings together key partners from local government, area businesses, community organizations, non-profits, and residents to build a healthy, local food system.

City, State:Minnesota, MN

Web Page: www.minneapolismn.gov/sustainability/homegrown/

Contact Person: Tamara Downs Schwei

Title: Homegrown Minneapolis/Local Food Policy Coordinator

Email Address: Tamara.DownsSchwei@minneapolismn.gov

Phone Number: 612-673-3553

Currently Hosting Interns: Yes

Special Instructions:

City of Seattle

Name of Department: Office of Sustainability and Environment

Type of Organization: Local Government

Description:

Seattle has made a healthy, local, sustainable food system a priority. A strong local food system improves health, promotes equity, and strengthens our economy. The City of Seattle’s vision for a healthy food system is guided by the Food Action Plan. While multiple City departments are engaged in reaching the goals in the Plan, the Office of Sustainability and Environment is the lead department coordinating this work.

City, State:Seattle, WA

Web Page: www.seattle.gov/environment/food

Contact Person: Sharon Lerman

Title: Food Policy Advisor

Email Address: sharon.lerman@seattle.gov

Phone Number:

Currently Hosting Interns:

Special Instructions: OSE is not able to offer informational interviews or respond to unsolicited requests for internships. Please visit http://www.seattle.gov/personnel/employment/ to learn about internship and job opportunities at the Office of Sustainability and Environment.

City of Spokane

Name of Department: Spokane Food Policy Council

Type of Organization:

Description:

Mission: To advance policies and initiatives that foster a resilient food system in the Spokane area; one that is healthy and equitable for its citizens, economy and environment.
Vision: A thriving community that values and cultivates a viable, inclusive, and prosperous food system.

City, State:Spokane, WA

Web Page:

Contact Person: Nathan Calene

Title: Spokane Food Policy Council Coordinator

Email Address: ncalene@spokanecity.org or nathancalene@hotmail.com

Phone Number: 509-680-1035

Currently Hosting Interns: Yes

Special Instructions:

Cultivating Healthy Places

Name of Department:

Type of Organization: Private Consulting Firm

Description:

An international consulting business specializing in community health, social equity and sustainable food systems planning. Cultivating Healthy Places provides a range of services tailored to meet the needs of clients at the local, regional, state/provincial, or federal level in both Canada and the United States.

City, State:Vancouver, BC

Web Page: cultivatinghealthyplaces.com/foodsystems/food-systems-planning/

Contact Person: Kimberley Hodgson

Title: Principal Consultant

Email Address: kim@chplaces.com

Phone Number:

Currently Hosting Interns: No

Special Instructions: No phone calls please.

Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission

Name of Department:

Type of Organization: Non-Profit Organization

Description:

Shaping the way we live, DVRPC builds consensus on a range of issues that include improving transportation, promoting smart growth, protecting the environment, and enhancing the economy. Intersecting all of these is our regional food system – its production, distribution, processing, and consumption. Greater Philadelphia has a rich agricultural community, a diverse distribution and transportation network, and nationally recognized nonprofit and for-profit food system stakeholders. DVRPC’s food system planning program aims to assist stakeholders in recognizing these advantages, and works to overcome the challenges to create a more sustainable and resilient food system.

City, State:Philadelphia, PA

Web Page: www.dvrpc.org/Food/

Contact Person: Amy Verbofsky

Title: Research Analyst, Office of Environmental Planning

Email Address: averbofsky@dvrpc.org

Phone Number: 215-238-2857

Currently Hosting Interns: Yes

Special Instructions: Information about current openings can be found at http://www.dvrpc.org/HumanResources/. Applications for Interns, Co-Ops, PHEAA Work Study and Volunteers are accepted on an ongoing basis. Submit your resume along with a cover letter to resumes@dvrpc.org.

Denver Food Rescue

Name of Department:

Type of Organization: Non-Profit Organization

Description:

Denver Food Rescue is a nonprofit focused on improving health equity outcomes by increasing access to healthy foods in low income areas. We do this by redistributing food from grocery stores, which would otherwise go to waste, directly to Free Grocery Programs. Since we accomplish 75% of our deliveries via bicycle, we are able to focus on direct redistribution which allows us to deliver more highly perishable fruits and vegetables, the foods that are most important in food deserts and food swamps. Our hyperlocal, resident driven model allows us to reach hard-to-access populations, who might not otherwise take advantage of emergency food assistance.

City, State:Denver, CO

Web Page: www.denverfoodrescue.org

Contact Person: Amy Moore-Shipley

Title: Communications Coordinator

Email Address: amy@denverfoodrescue.org

Phone Number: 970-308-9518

Currently Hosting Interns: Yes

Special Instructions:

Denver Urban Gardens

Name of Department: Public Affairs & Policy

Type of Organization: Non-Profit Organization

Description:

For 30 years, Denver Urban Gardens (DUG) has been coming alongside residents in Metro Denver to provide the opportunity to grow their own food. With a network of 150 community gardens, a community farm, and a host of complementary train-the-trainer programs, DUG interacts with the regional food system with a systems-level perspective. We actively promote policy and partnerships that foster a healthy, sustainable food system.

City, State:Denver, CO

Web Page: www.dug.org

Contact Person: Shannon Spurlock

Title: Director of Public Affairs & Policy

Email Address: shannon@dug.org

Phone Number: (303) 292-9900

Currently Hosting Interns: Yes

Special Instructions:

Food First

Name of Department:

Type of Organization: Non-Profit Organization

Description:

Founded in 1975 by Joseph Collins and Frances Moore Lappé—author of the revolutionary bestseller Diet for a Small Planet—Food First envisions a world in which all people have access to healthy, ecologically produced and culturally appropriate food. After nearly 40 years of analysis of the global food system, we know that making this vision a reality involves more than technical solutions—it requires political transformation. That’s why Food First supports activists, social movements, alliances and coalitions working for systemic change. The Food First team consists of a large network of committed activists and scholars who produce cutting-edge analysis and educational resources, and who work closely with grassroots social movements. Our work—including action-oriented research, publications, projects and Food Sovereignty Tours—gives you the tools to understand the global challenges, build your local movement, and engage with the global movement for food sovereignty.

City, State:Oakland, CA

Web Page:

Contact Person: Alexandra Toledo

Title: Development Director

Email Address: internships@foodfirst.org

Phone Number: 510-654-4400 x221

Currently Hosting Interns: Yes

Special Instructions: For internship opportunities and information on how to apply, please visit our website at: http://foodfirst.org/get-involved/join-our-team/become-a-food-first-intern/

Just Food

Name of Department:

Type of Organization: Non-Profit Organization

Description:

Just Food empowers and supports community-led efforts to increase access to locally grown food, especially in under-served New York City neighborhoods. Just Food provides training and education to community members to help them launch projects like farmers’ markets and CSAs, provide education in basic culinary and urban agriculture skills for their neighbors, and advocate to make their corner of New York City a healthier place to live and eat.

City, State:New York, NY

Web Page: www.justfood.org/

Contact Person: Jorge Cubas

Title: Operations Manager

Email Address: jorge@justfood.org

Phone Number: 212-645-9880 x221

Currently Hosting Interns: Yes

Special Instructions:

National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition

Name of Department:

Type of Organization: Non-Profit Organization

Description:

The National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC) is an alliance of grassroots organizations that advocates for federal policy reform to advance the sustainability of agriculture, food systems, natural resources, and rural communities.

City, State:Washington, DC

Web Page: sustainableagriculture.net/

Contact Person: Jeremy Emmi

Title: Managing Director

Email Address: jemmi@sustainableagriculture.net

Phone Number: 202-547-5754

Currently Hosting Interns: Yes

Special Instructions: Three times per year, we will list our open policy and grassroots internships on the NSAC website. Please apply using the instructions in those postings. If you do not see a posting on the NSAC website, we are between hiring periods.​

Openlands

Name of Department: Planning & Policy

Type of Organization: Non-Profit Organization

Description:

Openlands unites the people and resources of the diverse Chicago metropolitan region around the goal of land and water protection, providing a healthy vibrant space to live and work. Openlands has helped secure, protect, and provide public access to more than 55,000 acres of land for parks, forest preserves, land and water greenway corridors, and urban gardens. Openlands supports the Chicago region’s local food system by promoting sound land use policies, preserving farmland and natural assets, and connecting people to the land through growing food.

City, State:Chicago, IL

Web Page: www.openlands.org

Contact Person: Andrew Szwak

Title: Planning & Policy Analyst

Email Address: aszwak@openlands.org

Phone Number: 3128636268

Currently Hosting Interns: Yes

Special Instructions:

Slow Food USA

Name of Department: National School Garden Program

Type of Organization: Non-Profit Organization

Description:

Slow Food is a global, grassroots organization with members in over 150 countries and 1,300 volunteer-led chapters around the world. We were founded in 1989 to counter the rise of fast food and the disappearance of local food cultures. Today, we coordinate local, national and global programs and campaigns to achieve our vision of a world where everyone can enjoy food that’s good for them, good for farmers and workers and good for the planet.

The U.S. branch, Slow Food USA, is a national nonprofit with a small staff split between Brooklyn, NY and Denver, CO and over 150 volunteer-led chapters nationwide. Slow Food USA’s National School Garden Program is currently run from the Denver office.

We grow community around school gardens by providing technical assistance, resources and partnerships to cultivate the next generation of healthy eaters of good, clean and fair food.

Slow Food USA’s National School Garden Program (NSGP) aims to reconnect youth with their food by teaching them how to grow, cook and enjoy real food. Through increased confidence, knowledge gain and skill building, we want to empower children to become active participants in their food choices. By becoming informed eaters, today’s children will help make a positive impact on the larger world of food and farming well into the future.

City, State:Denver, CO

Web Page: gardens.slowfoodusa.org/

Contact Person: Lauren Howe

Title: Manager of the National School Garden Program

Email Address: lauren@slowfoodusa.org

Phone Number: 718-260-8000 ext. 129

Currently Hosting Interns: Yes

Special Instructions: Internships can be in-person or remote

Sustainable DC

Name of Department: District of Columbia Office of Planning

Type of Organization: Local Government

Description:

Sustainable DC is the District of Columbia’s major planning effort to make DC the most sustainable city in the nation. Led by the District Department of the Environment and the Office of Planning, it is a collaborative effort involving the input and participation of thousands of members of the District community.

City, State:Washington, DC

Web Page: www.sustainabledc.org

Contact Person: Laine Cidlowski

Title: Lead Urban Sustainability Planner

Email Address: laine.cidlowski@dc.gov

Phone Number: 202.442.7600

Currently Hosting Interns:

Special Instructions:

The Food Trust

Name of Department:

Type of Organization: Non-Profit Organization

Description:

The Food Trust’s mission is to ensure that everyone has access to affordable, nutritious food and information to make healthy decisions. Working with neighborhoods, schools, grocers, farmers and policymakers, we’ve developed a comprehensive approach to improved food access that combines nutrition education and greater availability of affordable, healthy food.

City, State:Philadelphia, PA

Web Page: thefoodtrust.org/

Contact Person: Jess Plummer

Title: Executive Assistant & Volunteer Coordinator

Email Address: jplummer@thefoodtrust.org

Phone Number: 215-575-0444 ext.8310

Currently Hosting Interns: No

Special Instructions: Please note that we don't offer any paid internships or housing benefits. In addition, our office is located in Philadelphia, PA and we do not offer internships at any other remote location.

The Reinvestment Fund (TRF)

Name of Department:

Type of Organization: Non-Profit Organization

Description:

The Reinvestment Fund (TRF), a national leader in the financing of neighborhood revitalization, has invested over $1.4 billion communities since 1985. A CDFI, TRF finances housing, community facilities, supermarkets, commercial real estate and energy efficiency projects. It also provides public policy expertise by helping clients create actionable solutions and by sharing data and analysis via www.PolicyMap.com.

City, State:Philadelphia, PA and Baltimore, MD

Web Page: www.trfund.com/

Contact Person: Patricia Muraresku

Title: Director, Human Resources

Email Address: hr@trfund.com

Phone Number: 215-574-5800

Currently Hosting Interns: Yes

Special Instructions:

Wallace Center at Winrock International

Name of Department:

Type of Organization: Non-Profit Organization

Description:

Wallace Center at Winrock International serves the growing community of civic, business, and philanthropic organizations involved in building a new Good Food system in the United States. We advance regional, collaborative efforts to move Good Food – healthy, green, fair, affordable food into larger scale markets so that more producers benefit, more communities have viable economies and greater access, and a greater number of acres are managed sustainably.

City, State:Arlington, VA

Web Page: www.wallacecenter.org/

Contact Person: Jeff Farbman

Title: Senior Program Associate

Email Address: jfarbman@winrock.org

Phone Number: 703 302-6610

Currently Hosting Interns:

Special Instructions: We prefer to host interns for periods of 6 months which gives them a better sense of our organization and a chance to be a part of a number of programs and components of the work. On occasion a shorter internship is possible if there is a specific focus or discrete project at its core.

Wholesome Wave

Name of Department:

Type of Organization: Non-Profit Organization

Description:

Wholesome Wave strives to create a vibrant, just and sustainable food system. By making fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables affordable and available, we enable underserved community members to make healthier food choices. Our innovative initiatives are improving health outcomes among low-income families, generating additional revenue for small and mid-sized farm businesses and bolstering local and regional economies.

Our initiatives are implemented nationwide, in 25 states and DC. Working in collaboration with more than 70 community-based partners, our impact can be seen at over 300 farmers markets, dozens of community health centers, hospital systems and food hubs. Each year, our initiatives reach more than 40,000 underserved community members and their families, as well as thousands of farmers.

City, State:Bridgeport, CT

Web Page: www.wholesomewave.org/

Contact Person:

Title:

Email Address: opportunities@wholesomewave.org

Phone Number:

Currently Hosting Interns: Yes

Special Instructions:

Without Walls Eco Practicum

Name of Department:

Type of Organization: Non-Profit Organization

Description:

Our mission is to provide experiential place-based programs that give you the tools to build a regenerative and resilient society.

City, State:New York, NY

Web Page: www.ecopracticum.com/

Contact Person: Eugenia Manwelyan

Title: Program Director

Email Address: eugenia@ecopracticum.com

Phone Number: 917-710-7496

Currently Hosting Interns:

Special Instructions:

World Hunger Relief, Inc.

Name of Department:

Type of Organization: Non-Profit Organization

Description:

Our mission is to: Train individuals in holistic ministry that equips them to work with communities in developing sustainable farming techniques. Motivate individuals and communities to live sustainably and advocate on behalf of the poor. Partner with local and international sustainable development programs. Our philosophy is to live simply, helping those who struggle to meet their basic needs by sharing and investing in others what God has given to us.

City, State:Waco, TX

Web Page: www.worldhungerrelief.org

Contact Person: Jeni Harris

Title: Training Manager

Email Address: trainingmanager@worldhungerrelief.org

Phone Number: 254-799-5611

Currently Hosting Interns: Yes

Special Instructions: Our Food Systems Internships last from June to June each year.