LEAP loves our interns! In 2024, we hosted seven interns, who worked across all aspects of our nonprofit. We are now recruiting interns for Spring and Summer 2025.

Internships at LEAP are flexible and unpaid. Supervisors are happy to fill out paperwork to provide service hours or class credit requirements.

Here are more details about LEAP's internship program:

Interns for Local Environmental Agriculture Project (LEAP) will support our nonprofit's mission by assisting in the daily work of our mobile and fixed-site farmers markets, community gardens, shared commercial kitchen, food hub operations, and/or marketing efforts.

LEAP internships will be designed to fit each intern’s schedule and interests, while taking into account the specific needs of our organization (which change depending on seasons and other factors).

Interns will report to LEAP’s Food Access Manager, Community Gardens Manager, Kitchen Manager, Food Hub Manager, and Communications Manager, depending on the schedule that is co-created by LEAP and the intern. This is an unpaid internship. Interns are encouraged to learn as much as they can about LEAP’s work in Roanoke and beyond during their internship. This includes taking home local fruits and vegetables as available.

Sample of Internship Opportunities:

• LEAP’s West End Farmers Market runs every Tuesday, from 3-6 pm, year round. Interns help with setup and breakdown, as well as running needed education or nutrition-incentive efforts during the market.
• Grandin Village Farmers Market runs from April through November, every Saturday from 8 am to noon; during the first three Saturdays in December and on first and third Saturdays in January, February, and March, from 9 am to noon. Interns help with setup and breakdown, as well as running needed education or nutrition-incentive efforts during the market.
• LEAP Mobile Market runs year-round Monday-Friday. Interns assist in loading the Mobile Market, with setup and breakdown at stops, restocking during stops, as well as helping customers learn about local food and nutrition incentives.
• Community Gardens work includes supporting the gardens manager with projects and maintenance work in LEAP’s three community gardens.
• LEAP Kitchen tasks include working with the kitchen manager to process fresh food from local farms into frozen food that is sold on the LEAP Mobile Market and in the LEAP Community Store.
• Interns assist with packing and distributing the LEAP Farm Share.
• Marketing tasks include social media posting, creating content for LEAP’s website and newsletters, and other administrative tasks.

Requirements:

• Interest in food systems, food access, and/or local agriculture
• Ability to follow directions and work thoroughly and efficiently
• Strong attention to detail and and organized work style
• Strong communication and customer service skills
• Ability to interact with diverse populations
• Ability to lift 40 pounds
• Willingness to work outdoors in all weather conditions
• Willingness to follow all food safety guidelines

Schedule:

• LEAP works with interns year round. The hours per week and duration of the internship are flexible. LEAP interns that work less than 10 hours/week are expected to commit to at least a three-month internship. Interns that work more than 10 hours/week can be shorter. If these conditions aren’t met, LEAP’s volunteer program may be a good fit.

About LEAP

Local Environmental Agriculture Project (LEAP) is a Roanoke-based 501c3 nonprofit. Founded in 2009, LEAP strives to nurture equitable food and farming systems that prioritize health and abundance. LEAP programs include two farmers markets, a mobile market, a farm share, a food hub, a processing kitchen, three community gardens, and robust nutrition incentive programs. LEAP will be opening a retail store in 2024 at its location in Roanoke’s West End neighborhood. LEAP also serves as a fiscal sponsor for Roanoke Foodshed Network and Virginia Fresh Match. Learn more about LEAP at leapforlocalfood.org.

To Apply:

Email a cover letter and resume to Kelly Key at kelly@leapforlocalfood.org  or drop them off at The LEAP Hub at 1027 Patterson Ave. SW, Roanoke.
If assistance is needed with the application process, reach out to Kelly Key (kelly@leapforlocalfood.org or 540-492-5311).