Application Guide
How to Apply for Food Policy Intern
at Friends of the Earth
🏢 About Friends of the Earth
Friends of the Earth is a pioneering environmental advocacy organization with over 50 years of history fighting for climate justice and sustainable food systems. As a people-powered movement, they combine grassroots activism with cutting-edge policy research to challenge corporate power and advance eco-friendly reforms. Working here means joining a passionate community dedicated to systemic change, not just incremental improvements.
About This Role
As a Food Policy Intern, you'll support Friends of the Earth's campaign to transform the food system—from farm to fork—by promoting climate-friendly policies and challenging industrial agriculture. Your research and outreach will directly influence advocacy efforts, coalition building, and public engagement. This role offers hands-on experience in environmental policy, campaign strategy, and nonprofit communications.
💡 A Day in the Life
You might start your day by checking email for updates from coalition partners, then spend the morning researching a federal farm bill provision and drafting a two-pager for advocates. After lunch, you could help coordinate logistics for a webinar on regenerative agriculture, followed by writing a social media thread to promote an upcoming action. The day ends with a team check-in on campaign priorities.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who Friends of the Earth Is Looking For
- A student or recent grad with coursework in environmental studies, public policy, or communications who is deeply concerned about the climate impact of food systems.
- An excellent writer who can distill complex policy issues into compelling blogs, social media posts, and advocacy materials for diverse audiences.
- A detail-oriented organizer who thrives on coordinating logistics for virtual events, coalition calls, and campaign actions.
- A self-starter comfortable with remote work, able to synthesize research quickly and communicate findings clearly.
📝 Tips for Applying to Friends of the Earth
Highlight any experience with food systems, environmental justice, or corporate accountability—even if from coursework or volunteer work.
Showcase your writing portfolio: include links to blogs, op-eds, or social media campaigns you've created or contributed to.
Emphasize your ability to work across teams and with external partners, since this role involves coalition engagement.
Mention familiarity with Friends of the Earth's current campaigns, especially their work on regenerative agriculture or climate-friendly food policies.
Tailor your resume to emphasize research, policy analysis, and event coordination skills—use specific examples.
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
["Your passion for transforming the food system to combat climate change and your alignment with Friends of the Earth's mission.", 'Specific research or policy analysis skills you can bring, such as experience with legislative tracking or data synthesis.', 'Your ability to communicate complex issues to the public through writing and social media, with examples.', 'Your organizational skills and experience coordinating events or campaigns, especially in a remote setting.']
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Review Friends of the Earth's 'Climate-Friendly Food' campaign page and recent reports on regenerative agriculture.
- → Understand their stance on corporate accountability in the food industry, including critiques of Big Ag and factory farming.
- → Read their latest blog posts or press releases to grasp their current messaging and priorities.
- → Learn about their coalition partners, such as the HEAL Food Alliance or other environmental justice groups.
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Submitting a generic cover letter that doesn't mention Friends of the Earth's specific campaigns or values.
- Overlooking the importance of grassroots outreach—this role is not just a desk job; show you care about movement building.
- Ignoring the remote aspect: failing to demonstrate self-discipline, proactive communication, and comfort with virtual collaboration.
📅 Application Timeline
This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.
Typical hiring timeline:
Application Review
1-2 weeks
Initial Screening
Phone call or written assessment
Interviews
1-2 rounds, usually virtual
Offer
Congratulations!
Ready to Apply?
Good luck with your application to Friends of the Earth!