Today’s youth will inherit tomorrow’s food system. Therefore, we want to give the next generation tools that will help them conserve food and promote a fair and sustainable food system.
We are doing this through our Food Conservation Specialist Certificate program. This program provides college students with education, research, and outreach opportunities geared toward creating a better tomorrow.
Program Requirements
Education
Food Conservation Interns complete a 9-week online synchronous program where they learn from and connect with food system experts and thought leaders on topics such as sustainable food systems, social determinants of health, food and nutrition security, food waste, community action, and policy development.
Research
Food Conservation Interns complete a community research project where they engage with individuals in their community to learn about household food management practices and food waste.
Outreach
Food Conservation Interns have the option of developing and implementing a food waste reduction project and to co-create a Food Conservation Summit in their community.
Food Conservation Interns who complete the Education and Research components will earn their Food Conservation Specialist Certificate.
Meet our Interns
Our first cohort of Food Conservation Interns began the program in the Fall of 2024 and consisted of students from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. These individuals completed the program and were awarded the Food Conservation Specialist in April 2025.
Our cohort of Food Conservation Interns from Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, began the program in Spring 2025. These individuals completed the program and were awarded the Food Conservation Specialist in November 2025.
In Fall 2025, we welcomed Food Conservation Interns from Baltimore, Maryland, from Johns Hopkins University. These individuals are on track to complete the program and be were awarded the Food Conservation Specialist in April 2026.
In Fall 2025, we welcomed Food Conservation Interns from Gainesville, Florida, from Santa Fe College. These individuals are on track to complete the program and be were awarded the Food Conservation Specialist in April 2026.
In Fall 2025, we welcomed Food Conservation Interns from Baltimore, Maryland, from Morgan State University. These individuals are on track to complete the program and be were awarded the Food Conservation Specialist in April 2026.
In Fall 2025, we welcomed Food Conservation Interns from the University of Florida. These individuals are on track to complete the program and be were awarded the Food Conservation Specialist in April 2026.
Future cohorts will include college students in Cleveland, Ohio, and Stillwater, Oklahoma.