PG191278TM

11ASO1634

Temporary

The Center for Environmental Farming Systems (CEFS) and North Carolina Cooperative Extension are collaborating on a Farm to Senior Services (F2SS) project to pilot models in three counties (McDowell, Scotland, and Warren) that will increase local food procurement in county-based senior food services. Senior food services vary but may include home food delivery (such as Meals on Wheels), congregate meals sites, or produce box delivery programs. These services provide healthy, fresh foods to a growing older adult population that often experiences high levels of food insecurity and diet-related chronic diseases (such as diabetes). McDowell, Scotland, and Warren counties were selected as pilots for this project based on their geographic variation, existence of established food councils, existence of area local food intermediaries, and USDA designation as low income/low access areas. The local food pathway models and best practices established in these counties will be shared across the state and nationwide.

For Summer 2021, we are looking for student interns, interested in agriculture and local food supply chains, to work at the partnering local food intermediaries (Foothills Food Hub, Sandhills AgInnovation Center, and Working Landscapes) to support the testing, implementation, and evaluation of the F2SS local food pathways.

Examples of supply chain intern projects include:

• Farmer preparedness survey
• Farmer outreach
• Senior food service requirements and procurement practices
• Procurement data collection
• Distribution routes and logistics
• Recipe and cost analysis for senior meals
• Senior food box program development
• Online order systems

If you have specific questions not covered here, you can email Dr. Angel Cruz (aecruz@ncsu.edu) or Robyn Stout (rdstout@ncsu.edu).

Internship Duration and Work Environment
All interns have an anticipated start date of May 24, 2021

• All Internships will last approximately 9 weeks (not including holiday weeks) for 40 hrs a week
• All internships will be at host locations with a remote option if needed due to COVID regulations

Up to 3 Available Remote Summer Internship Opportunities:

1 – Foothills Food Club

• Foothills Food Hub (FFH) is a central hub in Marion, North Carolina, serving farmers in McDowell County and surrounding areas to connect with wholesale markets. The Foothills Food Hub currently offers aggregation, packing, and distribution services. As the onsite facilities grows, the Hub will include: washing, packing, cold storage, and distribution services; as well as a commercial kitchen, value-added processing, entrepreneur development, and additional classes. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the FFH has received funding to create produce boxes for food insecure families, including senior residents in the community.

FFH is looking for a supply chain student intern that can support relationships with area senior food services in the following ways:

• Survey area farmers on readiness and needs to sell to institutional markets
• Collect data on senior food service requirements and procurement history
• Support online ordering interface and assist farmers in creating profiles
• Support for Community Support Agriculture (CSA) program planning, packing, and logistics

Preference will be given to students that meet the following criteria:

• A current graduate student from a University near FFH
• A resident of Western North Carolina
• Experience with technology and online platforms
• Good communication skills and self-motivated
• Respect for farmers and rural communities
• Comfortable driving a box truck. Experience not required, but willingness to learn.

2 – Sandhills AgInnovation Center

• The Sandhills AgInnovation Center (SAIC) is a produce aggregator and processor located in Ellerbe, NC, serving farmers throughout south central NC. The SAIC offers cooler and light processing space, provides technical assistance to farmers, and connects Sandhills farmers to new markets and resources. As a COVID-related response, the SAIC has received funding to create produce boxes for food insecure families, including senior households in the community. Other outlets for farmers using SAIC facilities include universities, hospitals, and restaurants.

SAIC is looking for a supply chain intern that can support relationships with area senior food services in the following ways:

• Survey area farmers on readiness and needs to sell to institutional markets
• Build relationships with area farmers
• Plan farm visits for potential buyers
• Collect data on senior food service requirements and procurement history
• Support for Community Support Agriculture (CSA) program planning, packing, and logistics

Preference will be given to students that meet the following criteria:

• A current undergraduate or graduate student at UNCP or NC A&T
• First-hand experience with agriculture
• A resident of the Sandhills region
• Respect for farmers and rural communities

3. – Working Landscapes

• Join our small, dynamic team working to build more robust food value chains between local farmers and regional, institutional markets for food. Located in the heart of downtown Warrenton, Working Landscapes is a leader in value-added production; we operate the ByWay Foods Hub which focuses on value-added products and the development of farm-to-institution supply chains. In response to the negative economic effects of the pandemic, Working Landscapes began producing healthy, locally sourced meals from scratch for distribution to food insecure seniors via the Warren County Senior Center. This program is continuing, and we are aiming to begin serving the Kerr Tar COG Area Agency on Aging with similar meals later this spring.

Working Landscapes is looking for a supply chain student intern that can help expand these farm to senior food services programs to a profitable scale in the following ways:

• Assist with cashflow analysis, sourcing and distribution logistics, value chain development and marketing efforts.
• Document processes so this program could be replicable
• Use mixed-methods to estimate the triple-bottom line benefits of investments in regional value chain programs such as these Farm to Senior Services programs.
• Get to know and work with farmers, other staff/volunteers, institutional clients, and the food hub network of NC.

Preference will be given to students that meet the following criteria:

• Proficient in Excel and able to learn new computer programs
• Able to lift, carry and move boxes of food around in coolers/freezer
• Able to make progress on projects without constant supervision
• Professional communication and a good sense of humor

Work Schedule – Monday – Friday, Hours will be scheduled directly with the mentor and the intern coordinator during their normal hours of business as written above and in coordination with student(s) schedule. 40 hours per week some later evenings and/or weekends may be required

No

CEFS

Temporary-Technical/Paraprofessional

Temporary Supply Chain Internship

40 hours per week from May 24 through July 23 Monday through Friday and weekend work when needed

n/a

-Must be currently enrolled in an undergraduate, graduate, or professional degree program at any North Carolina university, college, or community college across the state.

-Enthusiasm for local foods and a respect for farmers and producers from diverse rural communities
-Must attend an orientation last week of May 2021.
-Must have access to a personal computer to conduct work on
-Must hold a drivers license and have access to transportation to the host site.

-Website design and development using user-friendly website builders with mobile compatible sites with no coding required
-Social media platforms
-Internet-based graphic design platform
-Marketing and communication skills are strongly preferred
-Familiarity or willingness to learn about online sales platforms
-Experience/study in agriculture, food systems, ag business or economics
-Preference given to students who live or attend school in communities in close proximity to the host organization of their choice

-Valid Driver’s License

Yes

No

$15/hr

02/03/2021

https://jobs.ncsu.edu/postings/139842

NC State University is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, status as an individual with a disability, or status as a protected veteran.

If you have general questions about the application process, you may contact Human Resources at (919) 515-2135 or workatncstate@ncsu.edu. Individuals with disabilities requiring disability-related accommodations in the application and interview process, please call 919-515-3148.

Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. If highest degree is from an institution outside of the U.S., final candidates are required to have their degree equivalency verified at www.wes.org or equivalent service. Degree(s) must be obtained prior to start date in order to meet qualifications and receive credit.

NC State University participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.