CUESA (Center for Urban Education about Sustainable Agriculture) is a mission-driven nonprofit organization dedicated to cultivating a sustainable food system through the operation of farmers markets and educational programs. Founded in 1994, CUESA operates the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market and Mission Community Market in San Francisco and the Jack London Square Farmers Market in Oakland.

Overview of Position

The Foodwise Teens Intern will be responsible for supporting CUESA staff in implementing Foodwise Teens programming and working directly with teens at three SFUSD partner high schools.
 

Foodwise Teens is a paid youth development program in which public high school students build job skills in sustainable food careers. Students gain experience growing produce in school and community gardens, preparing food in kitchens and selling produce and value added products at CUESA’s farmers markets. Foodwise Teens offers students training in environmental education, culinary education, customer engagement and general job readiness. Students develop healthy eating habits and gain valuable career skills.

Duties

• Teach students about sustainable agriculture, culinary skills, food justice, and job readiness
• Lead students in practical garden and culinary work
• Track student work hours throughout program
• Set up and clean-up of weekly lessons
• Preparation of materials for weekly lessons
• Harvest and transport of FWT produce in support of FWT market days
• Administrative support such as data entry of surveys and other information
• Offer suggestions for improvement of the educational experience
• Assist with miscellaneous Foodwise Teens tasks
• Other projects may be completed as agreed upon by the intern and CUESA

Skills and Qualifications

• Knowledge of and/or passion for gardening, cooking, teaching, sustainable agriculture, food access, local food systems, youth development and food justice
• Comfort working with teens from diverse communities in San Francisco
• Strong skills in interpersonal communication, collaboration and emotional intelligence
• Multilingual and/or multi-cultural competence
• A friendly, outgoing nature
• Ability to lift 50 pounds
• Reliability, punctuality, and the ability to work well with others

Hours and Duration

10-15 hours per week, Tuesday September 10, 2019 - Friday, December 20, 2019. Tuesdays 2:00 pm - 6:00 pm, Wednesdays and Fridays 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm, with additional support tasks to be arranged.

Terms

The Foodwise Teens Intern reports to the Youth Education Manager. CUESA will provide training as needed, and will fulfill the intern’s learning objectives while also meeting the organization’s goals. CUESA will provide performance feedback at the midpoint and at the completion of the internship. This is an unpaid internship, but the rewards are many, such as learning about gardening, cooking and nutrition, sustainable food systems and youth development, gaining teaching experience, and exposure to the nonprofit work environment.

CUESA does not discriminate in employment, including on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, physical ability, age, parental status, or military service.