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 was in Champaign-Urbana, Illinois, and includes students from the University of Illinois.
Our second cohort of Food Conservation Interns is in Corvallis, Oregon, and includes students from Oregon State University.
Future cohorts will include college students in Baltimore, Maryland; Cleveland, Ohio; Gainesville, Florida; and Stillwater, Oklahoma.