The Hunger Project Internship Opportunities: A Gateway to Combating Food Insecurity

The fight against hunger requires multifaceted approaches, innovative solutions, and, crucially, a dedicated workforce. Internship opportunities with organizations like The Hunger Project and its partners provide invaluable experiences for students and recent graduates seeking to contribute to this critical cause. These internships offer a chance to gain practical skills, expand knowledge, and develop as leaders in the movement to end hunger.

Zero Hunger Internship: Immersing in Anti-Hunger Work

The Zero Hunger Internship immerses college students and recent graduates in anti-hunger work in Washington, D.C. This 10-week paid internship program allows participants to gain work experience at anti-hunger organizations as they develop professional skills and grow as leaders. The Zero Hunger Internship matches college students and recent graduates with Washington, D.C.-based organizations working to address hunger. Over the course of your 10-week internship, you will develop your professional and leadership skills and expand your subject knowledge through on-the-job training, the Hunger Center’s leadership development curriculum, and a summer seminar series.

One former intern shared, "I had an invaluable experience interning with Oxfam America. My supervisors wanted me to get the most of my experience in D.C. as well as through my internship. I was encouraged to attend conferences, virtual events, and take on interesting research projects that aligned with my position as a food systems intern, as well as, as an economics student at University. I felt supported, encouraged, and learned a great deal while interning. Overall my experience was great and I learned so much. D.C was an incredible city to live in, and the Hunger Center was such a great place to be."

Action Against Hunger: Diverse Opportunities

The Action Against Hunger organizations regularly offers internship opportunities through their careers page. Note - Internships are unpaid, but the organizations covers lunch expenses and transit fare.

Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI): Advocating for Nutrition and Food Safety

The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) is a non-profit consumer organization conducting innovative programs in nutrition and food safety. CSPI publishes Nutrition Action Healthletter, one of the nation's premier health newsletters. CSPI strives to provide useful, objective information to the public, represent citizens' interests before legislative, regulatory, and judicial bodies, and ensure that advances in science are used for the public's good. CSPI is supported by subscribers to Nutrition Action Healthletter, donors, and by foundation grants. All internships require a weekly commitment of a minimum of 3 - 5 hours. They seek persons who possess strong communication and organizational skills, who are enthusiastic about CAGJ’s mission, who are dependable, and follow-up without constant supervision.

Read also: Combating Food Insecurity at UCLA

Farmlink Project: Addressing Food System Challenges

The greatest challenge of our generation is how we will feed 10 billion people in a rapidly changing climate. While Farmlink addresses this by redirecting surplus food from farms to food banks, solving this global issue will require countless other innovative solutions to create a sustainable and equitable food system.

The FIELD fellowship catalyzes the next generation of ambitious leaders to develop these solutions during the program however the real impact of this program lies in what fellows go on to do. Farmlink selects a small cohort of outstanding students from diverse backgrounds who are motivated to create change in the food system. No experience in sustainability, food systems, etc is required. They prioritize action-oriented students who are motivated to make the world a better place. The program is designed for students pursuing an undergraduate degree, however, people who are one year out of college or are pursuing a graduate degree are welcome to apply. This internship is not open to high school students.

Given the full time and in-person demands of Phase 2, The Farmlink Project offers a $6,000 living stipend and covers travel cost to and from immersion destination. The Farmlink Project offers a summer internship for college students passionate about addressing issues in the food system. This 10-week, remote opportunity has three components: education, experiential learning, and community-building. Interns will participate in weekly educational sessions to get diverse perspectives on the food system and learn in a nontraditional setting. Past sessions have focused topics ranging from policy and regenerative agriculture to resume development, and have featured guest speakers from Taylor Farms, Farm Fresh and the USDA. While this internship is fully remote, The Farmlink Project is a strong, interconnected community that stretches across the country.

Food First: A "People's Think Tank"

Food First is a “people’s think tank” dedicated to ending the injustices that cause hunger and helping communities to take back control of their food systems. They advance their mission through three interrelated work areas-research, education, and action-designed to promote informed citizen engagement with the institutions and policies that control our food.

Food First interns work with staff on specific projects for 15 to 40 hours per week for a minimum of three months. Internships generally consist of conducting research; writing blogs and newsletter articles; doing Food First outreach at local events; assisting with communications including writing press releases and updating media lists; and copyediting and proofreading; and grassroots fundraising with supporters who give what they can. Food First interns are treated as an integral part of the team and are not relegated to menial office tasks, though you will be expected to do your share (no more than 20 percent-time) performing administrative duties. Food First internships are unpaid, though they will do their best to assist you in securing funding for your internship if such opportunities are available to you.

Read also: Zero Hunger Internship Programs

Food for People: Emergency Food and Addressing Root Causes

Food for People's goal is to provide individuals and households with the emergency and supplemental food they need, while working to address the root causes of hunger in our county. Food is distributed countywide through a variety of hunger relief programs, such as the Pantry Network, the Senior Brown Bag & Homebound Delivery programs, Child Nutrition Programs, and more. Internship programs for the fall and spring are designed to last the entire semester, and they require a minimum of 10 hours per week.

Food Research & Action Center (FRAC): Advocacy and Policy Solutions

The Food Research & Action Center (FRAC) improves the nutrition, health, and well-being of people struggling against poverty-related hunger in the United States through advocacy, partnerships, and by advancing bold and equitable policy solutions.

Kirchner Food Fellowship Program: Investing in Agricultural Technologies

The purpose of the Kirchner Food Fellowship program is to foster the development of individuals who have the practical skills and knowledge to make effective investments in emerging agricultural technologies that have the possibility of addressing global food security. Internship candidates must be enrolled in university in the United States, Canada or Mexico. They must be self-motivated, hard-working and possess a passion for investing in promising early-stage, for-profit, socially-responsible agricultural companies that will ultimately bring closer the day when everyone on the planet has reliable access to healthy food.

Food Shuttle: Recovering Food and Teaching Self-Sufficiency

The Food Shuttle recovers and distributes over 8 million pounds of food per year, and teaches skills for self-sufficiency including culinary job skills, shopping and cooking healthy on a budget, and how to grow food. All programs seek to support low-income families living in food deserts without adequate access to nutritious food and without the income to purchase healthy meals.

North Carolina Cooperative Extension: Building a Bridge from College to Career

A summer internship with North Carolina Cooperative Extension provides a high-caliber educational experience, and it allows students to build a bridge from college to career. The internship helps you to consider careers in agriculture, food systems, nutrition, youth development, community development, family and consumer sciences, natural resources, and environmental science.

Intern Scholar Program: Research, Writing, and Advocacy

Intern Scholar Program focuses on developing and nurturing future scholars through providing opportunities to engage in challenging research, writing, and advocacy on a wide range of foreign and domestic policy issues, such as sustainable food systems and the food systems summit. Our intern scholars are required to make tangible and timely contributions to the Institute’s projects, including reports or other media for public dissemination.

Sylvia Rowe Fellowship Award: Enhancing Nutrition and Food Safety Communication Skills

The Sylvia Rowe Fellowship Award was established as a tribute to the former International Food Information Council (IFIC) President & CEO, Sylvia B. Rowe. The Award was created to help deserving individuals further enhance skills in the area of nutrition and food safety communication.

World Food Programme: International Development Work

The World Food Programme is always looking for talented, motivated and enthusiastic students from around the world. Are you passionate about international affairs and international development work? Would you like an internship with a global organization working to empower women and men to end their own hunger and poverty? Do you enjoy creating new ideas and watching them come alive? supporting our work during Fall 2022. This is a part time, unpaid, remote internship. internship may satisfy the requirements for academic credit or internship stipend program. This is an opportunity to passionate, creative and adaptable individuals who are eager to learn to actively support many facets of project management through FeelGood branding, planning and implantation of engagement events, conference and special projects. A team player who is adaptable, flexible and willing to contribute in any way needed. Commitment to THP’s values, including an understanding of, and compatibility with, our principles and philosophy.

FeelGood: Various Internship Roles

Join Our Team! USFR Events Intern- Are you a passionate and creative college student who enjoys planning and coordinating engagement and connection opportunities? You should join the Engagement Team! FeelGood Operations Intern - Are you organized and love watching ideas come alive? Do you find joy in supporting youth and young professionals? Apply to be a FeelGood Operations Intern. FeelGood Communication Intern - Are you a good storyteller who enjoys connecting with others through different forms of communication or social media? We have an internship for you. USFR Investor Programs Intern - Are you looking to learn from a global organization? Are you a strong writer with a creative mindset? Then apply to be a USFR Investors Programs Intern for the fall semester. Please include information in your cover letter about how this internship would support your future career goals. Our team will contact only those candidates who will be interviewed. The deadline is July 19, 2024.

Move For Hunger: Practical Experience in the Non-Profit Sector

The Move For Hunger Internship Program is open to students, recent graduates, and life-long learners. It is a perfect opportunity for anyone seeking an introduction to the practical components of the non-profit industry. They value and empower their interns. This is work with a purpose. They are seeking Intern Candidates that want to hone their skills and develop hands-on experience. If you're dedicated to social impact, fighting hunger, this is your opportunity. Choose an internship above for more information and to apply. They encourage you to be selective in your applications. Apply to the positions that really interest you and where your qualifications are a match. Stay connected! While they do get a large volume of applicants, they will do their best to keep you posted about your application status.

Former interns share their experiences:

"Interning with Move For Hunger was a great opportunity to learn more about the ins and outs of working at a non-profit. I remember how kind, dedicated and hardworking each member of the staff was."
"My internship with Move for Hunger was a personal and professional achievement. As an intern with Move For Hunger, I enjoyed learning about the many ways in which my work made a tangible impact on the lives of those whom we serve as an organization. I will always remember and cherish the times when I saw my hard work used in improving donor relations and increasing the range of our overall impact."
“I loved supporting a team who is passionate about fighting hunger."
“Move For Hunger was an incredible first internship experience. The entire staff was helpful and enthusiastic about the work we were doing which made each day a lot of fun!"

Addressing the Broader Context of Hunger

It's essential to acknowledge the broader context in which these internships operate. Cuts to SNAP benefits and inflation have had a devastating economic impact and filled the lines at food banks and pantries across the country. For people of color and other minorities, the situation is even worse. September 22: The USDA announced termination of future Household Food Security Reports USDA, which had tracked hunger nationwide for nearly 30 years. The most recent data revealed that one in seven households - 47.4 million people, including 13.8 million children - were food insecure. For more than three decades, the report was been the gold standard for measuring whether a household lacks consistent access to enough food for an active, healthy life.

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