Food Production Intern (Office of Sustainability)

About the Department

OFFICE OF SUSTAINABILITY - URBAN AGRICULTURE DIVISION

FOOD PRODUCTION INTERN

The City of Detroit Office of Sustainability, Urban Agriculture Division is seeking a Food Production Intern to support the sourcing, coordination, and delivery of fresh, locally grown food for the City’s Senior Food Program and related urban agriculture initiatives. This role sits at the intersection of food access, farmer engagement, and community impact and plays a hands-on role in keeping Detroit’s local food system moving.

This is a field-forward, operations-driven position designed for someone who understands how food moves from the farm to the table and cares about making that system work better for Detroit residents.

Position Duties

What You’ll Do

The Food Production Intern supports daily program operations, farmer relationships, and data tracking that ensure high-quality produce reaches seniors and community partners across the city.

Key responsibilities include:

• Support procurement and quality control of produce sourced from local farms and distributors
• Assist with coordinating farm pickups, storage, and deliveries for the Senior Food Program
• Participate in regular farm, distributor, and farm stand site visits
• Support transportation and handling of produce, including lifting and moving 50–70 lbs. as needed
• Track deliveries, volumes, and site activity for reporting and evaluation
• Assist with organizing weekly or biweekly check-ins with farmers, distributors, and internal partners
• Collect program data and support performance and impact reporting
• Help prepare internal and public-facing program reports
• Support logistics for farm tours, site visits, and public-facing events related to Urban Agriculture Division programs
• Provide general clerical and administrative support, including working with Excel, Word, and PowerPoint

Who We’re Looking For

• This role is ideal for someone who understands food systems, like being in motion, and can move comfortably between the field and the spreadsheet.

Minimum Qualifications

Required qualifications:

• 18 years of age or older
• High School Diploma or G.E.D. (General Educational Development)
• Valid driver’s license and access to transportation
• Ability to lift 50–70 lbs. and perform physical work in outdoor and warehouse settings
• Strong organizational and communication skills
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Ability to work independently and stay on task in fast-moving environments

Preferred but not required:

• Food Handler’s Manager Certification
• Production of Safety Alliance (PSA) Training
• Familiarity with Detroit’s local food system, farms, or food distribution networks
• Interest in agribusiness, food access, or food systems advocacy

Other Qualifications

Schedule & Term

• Program period:  May 2026 through October 2026
• Hours:  20 hours per week
• Work Format:  Primarily in-person for site visits, logistics, and farm engagement. Some administrative work may be performed virtually when approved.

This is a temporary, part-time internship ending, October 2026 program period. This role does not include benefits such as health insurance, paid time off, or holiday pay.

Selected candidates will be required to complete all applicable City of Detroit onboarding and compliance requirements, which may include background checks, employment or contractor documentation, and any fiduciary partner agreements tied to program operations. Continued participation in the internship is contingent upon meeting and maintaining these requirements.

Candidates considered for placement in this classification may be subject to a Criminal Background Investigation based on the requirements of the position.

The above statements describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to the class.  Incumbents may be required to perform job-related responsibilities and tasks other than those stated in this specification.  Specific job duties may vary from position to position.  The City of Detroit is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  No applicant for employment shall be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, or other criteria prohibited by City, State, or Federal law.