Temporary Food Systems Internship: Farm to Early Care and Education
North Carolina State University, Isle Forest, NC, United States
Position Information
Posting Number: PG195759TM
Position Number: 11ASO3653
Position Type: Temporary
Work Schedule: 40 hours per week for 10 weeks (May 18 - July 24, 2026)
Internship Overview
For summer 2026, we are looking for student interns interested in agriculture and local food purchasing and promotion, to work with the child care community in six locations across the state. Interns will support the testing, implementation, and evaluation of the Farm to Early Care and Education (ECE) local food pathways and support local food programming in the centers.
Example Projects
Farmer outreach
Development and implementation of ECE food service requirements and local food procurement practices
Local food distribution routes and logistics
Local food purchasing data collection
Recipe and cost analysis for child care meals
Creation and/or management of online order systems
Customer outreach and relationship building with child care programs and local community partnerships
Help child care programs reach their goals in local food purchasing, garden building and cooking activities with children
Work with NC Cooperative Extension to provide technical assistance to child care programs
Social media and website management
Development of policy around ECE food procurement
Outreach to families
Intern Placement Locations
Asheville, Goldsboro, Raleigh, and Sanford: The Partnership for Children – a nonprofit organization serving ages birth to five.
Greensboro: Education, Quality Improvement, and Professional Development (EQuIPD) – supports early care and education professionals.
Boone: Appalachian State University – Beaver College of Health Sciences, Department of Nutrition and Health Care Management.
Preferred Qualifications
Current resident of the county in which they will be working, or nearby
Experience with technology and online platforms
Good communication skills and self‑directed
Knowledge of, or experience working with farmers and communities
Preferred experience/study in agriculture, food systems, ag business, or economics
Experience or knowledge of child care or educational systems in NC
Familiarity and comfort around young children
Familiarity or willingness to learn about online sales platforms
Experience with social media including basic analytics
Preference given to students who live or attend school in communities in close proximity to the host organization of their choice
Requirements for Interns
Must be currently enrolled in an undergraduate, graduate, or professional degree program at any North Carolina university, college, or community college, or have graduated within 6 months of the start of the internship.
Enthusiasm for local foods and a respect for farmers and producers from varied rural and urban communities.
Must attend an orientation on May 18, 2026.
Must hold a drivers license and have access to transportation to the host site.
Must be able to pass a drug screening and background check.
Valid driver's license required.
Program Components
Introductory "Varied Communities and Agriculture across NC" Tours: Two 2-day farm tours and other day trips visiting various agroecosystems and communities throughout NC.
Mentorship and hands‑on job training: Each student will be matched with a host site and mentor who will oversee day‑to‑day activities and provide project guidance.
Professional skills development and agriculture career exploration: All students will participate in professional development activities throughout the summer, including leadership training, racial equity, understanding agriculture career pathways, and networking opportunities.
Professional presentation opportunity: Students will be required to give a professional presentation of their summer project and experiences at the conclusion of the internship.
Participation in a cohort of summer food systems interns: The cohort will meet weekly with each other and CEFS Farm to ECE program managers to share, ask questions, and learn from each other.
Benefits
Health Insurance for Temporary Employees
Enhance your career with LEAD courses
Attend non‑revenue generating sporting events for free
Childcare discounts
Wellness & Recreation Membership
Wellness Programs that aim to build a thriving workforce community
Equal Employment Opportunity
NC State University is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal opportunities for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, and veteran status. The University encourages all qualified applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities, to apply. Individuals with disabilities requiring disability‑related accommodations in the application and interview process are welcome to contact 919‑513‑0574 to speak with a representative of the Office of Equal Opportunity.
Final candidates are subject to criminal and sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. 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.
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Posting Number: PG195759TM
Position Number: 11ASO3653
Position Type: Temporary
Work Schedule: 40 hours per week for 10 weeks (May 18 - July 24, 2026)
Internship Overview
For summer 2026, we are looking for student interns interested in agriculture and local food purchasing and promotion, to work with the child care community in six locations across the state. Interns will support the testing, implementation, and evaluation of the Farm to Early Care and Education (ECE) local food pathways and support local food programming in the centers.
Example Projects
Farmer outreach
Development and implementation of ECE food service requirements and local food procurement practices
Local food distribution routes and logistics
Local food purchasing data collection
Recipe and cost analysis for child care meals
Creation and/or management of online order systems
Customer outreach and relationship building with child care programs and local community partnerships
Help child care programs reach their goals in local food purchasing, garden building and cooking activities with children
Work with NC Cooperative Extension to provide technical assistance to child care programs
Social media and website management
Development of policy around ECE food procurement
Outreach to families
Intern Placement Locations
Asheville, Goldsboro, Raleigh, and Sanford: The Partnership for Children – a nonprofit organization serving ages birth to five.
Greensboro: Education, Quality Improvement, and Professional Development (EQuIPD) – supports early care and education professionals.
Boone: Appalachian State University – Beaver College of Health Sciences, Department of Nutrition and Health Care Management.
Preferred Qualifications
Current resident of the county in which they will be working, or nearby
Experience with technology and online platforms
Good communication skills and self‑directed
Knowledge of, or experience working with farmers and communities
Preferred experience/study in agriculture, food systems, ag business, or economics
Experience or knowledge of child care or educational systems in NC
Familiarity and comfort around young children
Familiarity or willingness to learn about online sales platforms
Experience with social media including basic analytics
Preference given to students who live or attend school in communities in close proximity to the host organization of their choice
Requirements for Interns
Must be currently enrolled in an undergraduate, graduate, or professional degree program at any North Carolina university, college, or community college, or have graduated within 6 months of the start of the internship.
Enthusiasm for local foods and a respect for farmers and producers from varied rural and urban communities.
Must attend an orientation on May 18, 2026.
Must hold a drivers license and have access to transportation to the host site.
Must be able to pass a drug screening and background check.
Valid driver's license required.
Program Components
Introductory "Varied Communities and Agriculture across NC" Tours: Two 2-day farm tours and other day trips visiting various agroecosystems and communities throughout NC.
Mentorship and hands‑on job training: Each student will be matched with a host site and mentor who will oversee day‑to‑day activities and provide project guidance.
Professional skills development and agriculture career exploration: All students will participate in professional development activities throughout the summer, including leadership training, racial equity, understanding agriculture career pathways, and networking opportunities.
Professional presentation opportunity: Students will be required to give a professional presentation of their summer project and experiences at the conclusion of the internship.
Participation in a cohort of summer food systems interns: The cohort will meet weekly with each other and CEFS Farm to ECE program managers to share, ask questions, and learn from each other.
Benefits
Health Insurance for Temporary Employees
Enhance your career with LEAD courses
Attend non‑revenue generating sporting events for free
Childcare discounts
Wellness & Recreation Membership
Wellness Programs that aim to build a thriving workforce community
Equal Employment Opportunity
NC State University is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal opportunities for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, and veteran status. The University encourages all qualified applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities, to apply. Individuals with disabilities requiring disability‑related accommodations in the application and interview process are welcome to contact 919‑513‑0574 to speak with a representative of the Office of Equal Opportunity.
Final candidates are subject to criminal and sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. 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.
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