Grow with us.

Youth Program Overview

Despite the natural abundance of our region, many young people feel disconnected from the land, community, and each other. Without access to safe, welcoming outdoor spaces, they miss out on the hands-on learning that builds confidence, curiosity, and a sense of belonging. By growing, sharing, and preparing food, youth reconnect with the land and their communities. It is a window to help youth see their role in a larger ecosystem and grow a future rooted in care and connection.

We create safe, inclusive spaces where young people learn about, care for, and take part in our local food web—building confidence, agency, skills, and a lifelong investment in food and community.  

We do this through offering free, weekly in-garden enrichment classes for elementary and middle school students concentrating on seed saving, soil building, herbalism, and cooking classes at six community sites. We also offer leadership and life skills through paid internships and mentorship for high school students.  Enrichment opportunities are also available for all community youth, through camps, after school programs, and field trips.

The Youth Programs Intern will assist with all aspects of Working Food’s Youth Programs.  

Internship Overview

The Youth Programs Intern will assist the Youth Programs team (Youth Programs Coordinator, Manager, and Director) in providing high quality enrichment classes.  This will include assisting in at least one, but preferably two, of six weekly gardening classes for pre-K through middle school students, acting as an aide in teaching as well as assisting youth with hands-on projects.  The Intern will be responsible for assisting with the set-up and break-down of classes, which are often held outdoors. The Intern may also assist with youth day camps or workshops.  

Depending on availability and interest, the Intern may assist with class preparation and research in the Working Food office, greenhouse work at GROW HUB, and/or garden maintenance at various community centers around town.

Reports To: Working Food’s Youth Programs Director

Start Date and Schedule: Flexible

Internship Expectations:

• Provide general guidance and instruction during activities, ensuring that participants understand the rules and objectives.  Provide one-on-one assistance for students who may need extra attention.

• Serve as a positive role model and mentor for participants, offering support and encouragement during classes.

• Ensure the safety and well-being of all participants at all times.  The intern will never be expected to provide supervision alone, but will be an additional responsible adult in garden and kitchen classes.

• Foster a fun and inclusive atmosphere where participants feel motivated and excited to participate.

• Respect and appreciate cultural diversity among participants and colleagues.

• Mediate conflicts among participants diplomatically and fairly.

• Be prepared to administer basic first aid and respond to emergencies as needed, typically by promptly notifying Working Food Staff. 

• Assist with logistical tasks such as setting up equipment, organizing supplies, and cleaning up after activities.

• Be flexible and adaptable to changes in schedules, weather conditions, or participant needs.

• Maintain open and clear communication with Working Food staff.

• Work respectfully under the direction of community partners and their staff - ie City of Gainesville, Cultural Arts Coalition, Greater Duval Neighborhood Association, Chef Empowerment, Project Youthbuild, and Southwest Advocacy Group.

• Perform basic gardening tasks with supervision including, but not limited to, weeding, watering, applying soil amendments, trellising, and pruning.

• Perform basic greenhouse tasks with supervision including, but not limited to, seeding trays, up-potting, thinning seedlings, watering.

• Perform basic kitchen prep tasks with supervision including, but not limited to, cutting vegetables, cooking, and baking.

To Apply

• Complete this Application Form

• If accepted for an internship, Working Food requires a level two background check for all interns working with children. 

  • The background check will be completed at the expense of Working Food.

  • Working Food will only disqualify prospective interns with past charges that pose a threat to children. Non-violent offenses will not prevent participation in the program. 

  • The results of the background check are not shared with UF/SFC, if they are the institution sponsoring the internship.

• For questions, please email jesse@workingfood.org

Internship Overview

The Communications Intern will assist the Communications Manager to create engaging content that highlights Working Food’s mission, programs, impact, and purpose.  Responsibilities include capturing photos and videos at garden sites, events, and classes, creating content for social media, and collaborating on communications strategy.

This is a great opportunity to learn about visual storytelling and nonprofit communications while gaining experience with a local nonprofit.

Depending on interests, ability, and availability, the intern may also take on an independent creative project capturing and editing a portfolio of promotional images.

We are happy to work with interns to create a project that will work well with class and capstone projects at Santa Fe and UF.

Reports To: Working Food’s Communications Manager

Start Date and Schedule: Flexible, but preference for a start date before the end of September

Internship Expectations:

• The Communications Intern will assist the Communications Manager in creating original content for Working Food. Depending on availability, the intern may assist in a longer-term project .

• Functions/Weekly responsibilities

  • Familiarize oneself with the Working Food brand (our mission, tone, visual style, initiatives)

  • 1-3 hours a week collecting content on-site (photo + video)

    • Visiting Giving Garden sites (seed gardens, donation farms)

    • Online market packing days

  • 1-2 hours a week drafting social media posts

    • Responsible for 1-2 posts a week, depending on schedule + interest

    • Photo carousels, reels, infographics, etc.

    • Work with Communications Manager to edit and finalize

  • 1 hour/week meeting with Communications Manager (remote or in-person, depending on your preference) to discuss and shape content strategy

• Qualifications

  • Interest in local food & communications (especially visual storytelling)

  • Previous experience in content creation not required, but a desire to learn is necessary

  • Access to DSLR camera (or equivalent) preferred, but not required

• Potential semester-long project:

  • capturing, editing and sharing 20-40 promotional images for Working Food to use in its print and digital media

    • Examples include: Vegetables, plants growing, people working in gardens, etc.

To Apply

• Complete this Application Form

• For questions, please email info@workingfood.org