Friends of the Earth Remote Climate-Friendly School Food Internship – Earn $19.50 Per Hour

Friends of the Earth has announced a paid remote internship opportunity for students and early-career professionals interested in environmental advocacy, sustainable food systems, climate policy, and nonprofit communications.

The California Climate-Friendly School Food Intern position supports Friends of the Earth’s Food & Agriculture Program in advancing healthier, sustainable, and climate-friendly school food systems across California. This part-time internship provides hands-on experience in research, data analysis, communications, stakeholder engagement, and project coordination.

The internship is fully remote and offers compensation of $19.50 per hour. Selected interns must be available to work 15–20 hours per week for a six-month period.

About Friends of the Earth

Friends of the Earth is a nonprofit environmental organization working to create a healthier and more sustainable world through advocacy, research, public engagement, and policy change.

As part of Friends of the Earth International, a global federation operating in more than 70 countries, the organization focuses on addressing urgent environmental and social challenges through campaigns that promote justice, sustainability, and community-driven solutions.

The Food & Agriculture Program works to transform food systems by supporting policies and practices that encourage sustainable agriculture, healthier diets, and environmentally responsible food production.

Overview of the Climate-Friendly School Food Internship

The Climate-Friendly School Food Intern will work closely with program staff to support initiatives that help California school districts transition toward healthy, plant-based, organic, and climate-friendly food programs.

The intern will contribute to projects involving:

• Research and analysis of school food systems.
• Tracking climate-friendly menu practices.
• Supporting advocacy and policy initiatives.
• Developing educational and communication materials.
• Engaging with schools, nonprofit partners, and community stakeholders.

This opportunity is designed for individuals seeking practical experience in environmental advocacy, food policy, nonprofit operations, and sustainability-focused programs.

Key Responsibilities of the Remote Internship

The intern will support several areas of the Climate-Friendly School Food Program, including:

Program Coordination and Data Management

Responsibilities include:

• Collecting and organizing data from K–12 school district menus.
• Analyzing Excel datasets to identify trends in climate-friendly food practices.
• Supporting research on greenhouse gas emissions linked to school menu items.
• Creating data summaries and visualizations for program reporting.
• Tracking progress toward program goals, including school district participation.

Outreach and Partner Engagement

The intern will assist with relationship-building and coordination activities by:

• Researching plant-based food suppliers, vendors, farmers, and food hubs.
• Maintaining databases of relevant partners and resources.
• Supporting communication with school nutrition teams, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations.
• Taking notes during coalition meetings and preparing presentation materials.
• Assisting with webinars, meetings, and outreach events.

Communications and Public Education

The intern will also contribute to public engagement efforts through:

• Creating PowerPoint presentations for webinars and team meetings.
• Writing district success stories and program newsletters.
• Organizing plant-based recipe resources for schools.
• Managing and updating digital files and program documents.

Required Qualifications and Skills

Friends of the Earth is seeking candidates who are passionate about environmental issues and interested in creating positive change through food systems and policy advocacy.

Applicants should have:

• Current enrollment or recent completion of coursework in environmental studies, public policy, political science, communications, public health, or related fields.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to research, analyze information, and summarize findings.
• Interest in climate policy, food systems, and environmental justice.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office or Google Workspace tools.

Equivalent experience gained through volunteering, employment, or community involvement may also be considered.

Preferred Experience for Applicants

Additional experience that would strengthen an application includes:

• Background in environmental advocacy, policy, public health, or sustainable agriculture.
• Experience creating digital communication materials.
• Knowledge of California school districts or food systems.
• Familiarity with MailChimp or similar communication platforms.
• Experience supporting community events or stakeholder engagement activities.

Benefits of Joining the Friends of the Earth Internship Program

This internship provides valuable professional development opportunities, including:

• Fully remote work flexibility.
• Paid internship experience.
• Flexible part-time schedule.
• Exposure to nonprofit environmental advocacy.
• Training in research, communications, and project coordination.
• Opportunity to contribute to climate-friendly food policies.
• Experience working with schools, communities, and advocacy partners.

The role is ideal for students, recent graduates, and emerging professionals looking to build careers in sustainability, environmental policy, nonprofit communications, and food justice.

How to Apply for the Climate-Friendly School Food Internship

Interested candidates are encouraged to apply for this opportunity with Friends of the Earth and demonstrate their interest in climate action, sustainable food systems, and environmental advocacy.

Applicants should highlight relevant academic backgrounds, volunteer experiences, research skills, communication abilities, and any involvement in sustainability or community initiatives.

The California Climate-Friendly School Food Intern position offers an opportunity to gain meaningful experience while supporting efforts to create healthier and more sustainable food systems for schools and communities.

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Disclaimer: Remote Job Opportunities (RJO) is not the organization offering this opportunity. For any inquiries, please contact the responsible organization directly. Please do not send your applications to RJO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of  emails we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.