Farmers Market Intern

The East Palo Alto Community Farmers Market currently operates every Saturday from 2:00 – 5:00 at the EPA YMCA on 550 Bell St. In conjunction with the market, Collective Roots runs the Fresh Checks program, an incentive program for low-income consumers that doubles the value of their purchases of fresh fruits and vegetables (Up to $20 per month, for every $1 Fresh Check participants spend at the market they receive a $1 coupon). Collective Roots is seeking an intern available between 5-10 hours per week to support the operation and strategic improvement of the Farmers Market and Fresh Checks program.

History of East Palo Alto Community Farmers Market

The East Palo Alto Community Farmers Market is now entering its fourth season in East Palo Alto! Initiated by an advisory group of committed community members with logistical and financial support from Collective Roots, the EPA Market was the first farmers’ market in East Palo Alto in over twenty years, and one of the only sources of fresh, affordable fruits and vegetables in the community until Mi Pueblo (a large grocery chain) arrived in November 2009. Even now, the farmers’ market remains the only place within East Palo Alto city limits where residents can purchase organic fruits and vegetables.

Internship Description

Depending on schedule, availability and interest, the Farmers Market intern will participate in any of the following tasks:

• Survey community residents, Farmers Market attendants, and Fresh Check participants about how to increase participation at the market and improve market services
• Devise, pilot, and implement a strategy to increase attendance at market from Fresh Check participants (Different incentive scheme? Text message reminders?)
• Monitor and evaluate success of Fresh Checks program
• Develop community programming at market to enhance participation: cultural events, cooking demonstrations, planting/gardening demonstrations, raffles, story-time, live music, health fairs, etc.
• Outreach to vendors and farmers to diversify produce sold at market
• Support local backyard gardeners in selling at market, aid in certification process and development of local gardener cooperative to sell locally grown produce at market

Intern will report directly to Nicole Wires, Food System Change Coordinator at Collective Roots. This is an unpaid internship opportunity, however it does offer opportunities to attend trainings in food justice and local community food security.

To apply, please send a resume and cover letter to nicole@collectiveroots.org.