Organization: The Foodbank of Santa Barbara County
The Foodbank of Santa Barbara County is a dynamic organization committed to ending hunger and transforming the health of Santa Barbara County through good nutrition. Last year, the Foodbank distributed more than ten million pounds of food. Our food is utilized by one in four people in our community and about half of the food we distribute is fresh produce. With each person and family we reach through food distribution, we are introducing nutrition education to transform the health and potential of working families, seniors and other individuals countywide. Food literacy is rooted in practical skills and knowledge of fundamentals that enable them to make healthful decisions about what to put on their plate. The Foodbank of Santa Barbara County hosts educational programs for all ages, preschool through high school, adults and older adults.
Volunteer instructors facilitate hands-on learning of practical food skills while sharing nutrition-related messages to students of all ages. Our goal is to standardize the training that each volunteer instructor receives. The Foodbank of Santa Barbara County has developed a train the trainer program based on clear food literacy messages that are accessible to diverse audiences. Each key message is partnered with a practical tool that enables adults and children to gauge whether or not a food item or choice fits the guideline for recommended healthy eating.
Project: Food Literacy Training Intern
The Food Literacy Training Intern will work collaboratively with the Director of Community Education to create an engaging multimedia training program. Simple key nutrition messages and corresponding tools will be presented in an engaging way for Foodbank volunteers, staff, program instructors, and the general public to view. Training videos, learning modules, or online quiz or game style tools are welcomed and input on various forms of engagement are encouraged. Bilingual Spanish ability may be utilized to create similar trainings in multiple languages.
Internship Objectives
- Research effective adult education approaches for multimedia production
- Present to Foodbank leadership team recommendations and plans for effective online education
- Develop educational content that distills and clarifies nutrition concepts and effectively communicates practical tools for making healthy food choices
- Design online learning modules for deeper understanding of each topic using researched techniques and novel tools that are appropriate and sensitive to diverse audiences
Working with the Director of Community Education, the graduate intern will gain significant experience and understanding of the inner workings of nonprofits and the foodbank system as well as the ability to create engaging and accessible communications for different audiences and stakeholders. Through these educational materials, the intern will help increase food literacy in Santa Barbara County and equip residents with the knowledge and tools to improve their health, wellness, and resilience.
The graduate student intern will be expected to contribute 20 hours per week for ten weeks starting June 15, 2020. The intern must be present for in-person check-ins at least once per week during the project period. Remote worksites are acceptable as long as the intern remains in good email communication and meets established goals and timelines. In the event the intern prefers to work on-site for the duration of the internship, a desk and workspace will be provided.