Food Policy Intern – Part-Time (Immediate Opening)

Friends of the Earth is a hard-hitting, progressive, environmental organization that pulls no punches and speaks sometimes uncomfortable truth to power. It’s an approach that has worked for four decades to produce important victories that help protect our planet and its people. We’re part of Friends of the Earth International, the world’s largest federation of grassroots environmental groups, working in 75 countries on today’s most urgent environmental and social issues.

To accomplish our mission, Friends of the Earth is working at the nexus of environmental protection, economic policy and social justice to fundamentally transform the way our country and the world value people and the environment. Our current campaigns focus on promoting clean energy and solutions to climate change, ensuring the food we eat and products we use are sustainable and safe for our health and the environment, and protecting marine ecosystems and the people who live and work near them. This work is carried out by our team of staff in our Berkeley, California and Washington, D.C. offices.

Corporate-controlled, chemical intensive industrial food production is increasingly harmful to people and the planet, contributing to hunger, disease, poverty and severe environmental damage. Simultaneously, this “too big to fail” system leaves us vulnerable to climate chaos and other disruptions which threaten food security and our ability to feed growing populations. A healthy future is dependent on developing an alternative, sustainable and resilient food system.

Friends of the Earth’s Food and Technology Program is working to rapidly transition our food system to one that is sustainable, healthy and just—the food system of the future. We carry out market and policy campaigns aimed at protecting pollinators, reforming animal agriculture and reducing the harmful environmental and social impacts of industrial agriculture, while advocating for local, just, humane, organic and sustainable food production. We also work to ensure the safe and precautionary management of chemicals and emerging technologies, including nanotechnology, genetic engineering and synthetic biology.

Project Description

Friends of the Earth seeks an intern for its Good Food, Healthy Planet campaign, a project of the Food & Technology Program. The Good Food, Healthy Planet campaign works to reduce consumption of industrial animal foods; grow the market and policy support for regenerative, grass-fed and organic meat and dairy; and support a rapid and large-scale shift towards plant-forward, climate-conscious procurement, sustainable diets, and regenerative agriculture. The Food Policy Intern will assist in conducting outreach related to the 2018 Farm Bill, help with meeting and event logistics, conduct research to support public policy and market-based campaigns, and draft public outreach materials.

The intern will become an integral member of our dynamic Food and Technology Team and gain valuable skills and experience in research, strategic campaign development, online and traditional media communications, corporate and non-profit engagement, and public outreach, education and organizing on the cutting edge of environmental advocacy.

This position will introduce the intern to a wide range of colleagues in environmental, social justice and legislative arenas. The intern will work in government, corporate and non-profit circles and has the opportunity to become familiar with how these different entities work. Friends of the Earth is made up of a group of smart, creative, and enthusiastic individuals with a relaxed and friendly office culture.

Responsibilities

• Conduct outreach to school districts and sustainability and health officers in cities and counties in support of our climate-friendly food purchasing initiative

• Conduct research in support of our Better Burger Campaign, which promotes a blended burger with high-quality, grass-fed, organic beef and vegetables or mushrooms

• Update and create online and offline public outreach and engagement materials and content

• Engage in general campaign support and research, to be determined as needs arise

• Provide support and help for meeting and event logistics such as petition deliveries, webinars, meetings with policymakers, briefings, press conferences, etc.

• Conduct media outreach and provide general support for our social media and online organizing including social media posts, public comments, infographic content, and blog posts

Work Product Expectations

• Expand group of coalition partners and allies
• Collect and organize food purchasing policies and practices from local governments that emphasize meat and dairy reduction or the purchase of sustainable foods
• Create public outreach materials and online engagement content (social media posts, blog and website content)
• Draft and edit Op-Eds, Letters to the Editor, public comments, and press releases when appropriate

Qualifications

Interns will be selected based on their education and experience with campaigns, legislative and political work and interest and understanding of sustainable agriculture, the intersection between food and climate, and the harms of the industrial agriculture system. We especially seek interns who have excellent research, writing, and editing skills. We are also looking for a highly motivated, quick learner who is willing to take initiative and work independently. Experience and familiarity with collecting, analyzing and summarizing reliable research is a plus. A background in environmental issues, environmental science, and public policy is helpful. Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel and basic Microsoft programs is necessary. Experience with website design and/or management is a plus. This is a paid, part-time internship (specific hours to be negotiated) at a rate of $15/hour.

How to Apply

E-mail cover letter, resume and work samples to jobs@foe.org with the subject heading “Food Policy Intern.” No mail applications or phone calls. The position will remain open until filled.

Friends of the Earth is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage applications from women, people of color and other members of underrepresented groups who will contribute to the diversity of our staff.