Food Policy Intern, Food & Climate

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 Oakland, 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, which particularly adversely impact communities of color. 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 Agriculture Program is working to rapidly transition our food system to one that is sustainable, healthy and just. 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.

Project Description

Friends of the Earth seeks an intern for its Climate-Friendly Food campaign, a project of the Food & Agriculture Program. Our campaigns work 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 grassroots and stakeholder outreach to support our federal policy work, help with meeting and event logistics, conduct research to support public policy campaigns, and draft public outreach materials.

The intern will become an integral member of our dynamic Food and Agriculture 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.

This is a paid, part-time internship. Intern must be able to commit to 15-20 hrs/week; (specific hours in the range of 15-20 hours per week to be negotiated) at the rate of $19.50/hour. The length of the internship is 5-7 months, and the ideal candidate will start in September. The application deadline is Monday, August 25 at 5 pm EST.

Responsibilities:

• Conduct research and support data analysis to support the Climate-Friendly Food team’s policy priorities
• Conduct outreach to community groups, allied organizations, and other stakeholders in support of our climate-friendly food policy initiatives
• 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 for meeting and event logistics such as petition deliveries, webinars, meetings with policymakers, briefings, press conferences, fly-ins, etc.
• Build grassroots and grasstops support for federal legislation to incentivize plant-based school foods and a just transition away from factory farms, and support lobbying efforts on Capitol Hill, including by scheduling and attending meetings on the Hill and ensuring follow-up
• Attend community meetings, coalition meetings, and policy meetings, taking on tasks as needed, on behalf of the campaign

Work Product Expectations:

• Create public outreach materials and online engagement content (social media posts, blog, and website content)
• Help mobilize Friends of the Earth members to express support for our policy priorities or turn out to key meetings and events
• Draft and edit letters of support, Op-Eds, Letters to the Editor, public comments, and press releases when appropriate
• Schedule meetings, take notes, and ensure follow-up

Required Skills & Experience:

• Education and/or experience with campaigns, legislative and political work
• Understanding of the intersection between food and climate, the connection of food justice to racial justice, and the harms of the industrial agriculture system
• Strong research, writing, and editing skills
• Detail oriented and experienced in planning events
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and basic Microsoft programs
• A highly motivated, quick learner who is able to take initiative and work independently

Preferred Skills & Experience

• A high school diploma or GED
• A background in environmental issues, public health, racial justice, environmental science, and public policy
• Experience and familiarity with collecting, analyzing and summarizing reliable research

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. In compliance with federal law, all people hired will be required to verify identity and complete eligibility verification upon hire. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States; Friends of the Earth does not provide visa sponsorship.