INSTITUTE FOR FOOD AND DEVELOPMENT POLICY INC
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December 5, 2012
I had come across Food First publications a number of times during my undergraduate studies and masters. I eventually decided to carry out an internship at Food First based off of all the positive acknowledgment of its work from respected professors and colleagues of mine, their literature I had read, and their collaboration with other organizations such as Via Campecina.
I greatly value the time I spent with Food First. While I was working with them it became clear how important their close collaboration with people’s organizations and peasant groups is, both locally and globally. This collaboration allows for Food First to accurately publicize information from its roots, rather than the typical top-down approach.
My experience with them as an intern allowed me to gain a much better understanding of the inner workings of a non-profit. Food First is a creative and encouraging environment for one to gain useful skills and to constructively work towards their ideals and aspirations.
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Would you volunteer for this group again?
Definitely
For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?
A lot
Did the organization use your time wisely?
Quite well
Would you recommend this group to a friend?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
December 5, 2012
As a graduate and undergraduate student, I have used literature from Food First to support research projects and papers. I decided to intern with Food First to gain experience working with a credible and distinguished organization. As an intern, I was given the opportunity to help write articles and research issues of food justice. Food First requires its interns to work independently and produce professional and well-researched pieces.Working with Eric Holt-Gimenez and Food First was definitely a highlight to my academic career. As an organization, they are dedicated and passionate about advocating for international food justice.
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Would you volunteer for this group again?
Definitely
For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?
Some
Did the organization use your time wisely?
Very Well
Would you recommend this group to a friend?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
October 25, 2012
Their literature talks about "food justice" and the 99% getting sick and tired while "multi-billionaires make mega-profits speculating with our food". It also has code word "occupy" and talks about the "injustices that cause hunger" and that "food has become another form of oppression" and many more progressive buzzwords. I'd rather donate to local food pantries.
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Will you volunteer or donate to this organization?
No
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
1 person found this review helpful
September 22, 2012
1 person found this review helpful
My experience interning with Food First exceeded my expectations. Though the internship is very loose in its structure, the structure places the intern in control. Interns are given near complete responsibility for what they take away from the experience. For some, this is frightening, for me, this was exciting. I worked specifically with the Oakland Food Policy Council and the Council's coordinator. ..... The other thing that I appreciated about interning with Food First is the communal lunches. Food First provides its interns with lunch nearly everyday. Not only are the lunches (really) good, they facilitate respectful and intellectual conversation among all: interns, staff, and executive director. I learned much during the lunch hour.
More feedback...
Would you volunteer for this group again?
Definitely
For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?
Some
Did the organization use your time wisely?
Okay
Would you recommend this group to a friend?
Likely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
1 person found this review helpful
June 14, 2012
1 person found this review helpful
I was in intern with Food First for almost a year while finishing up my studies at Cal, and the experience changed my life. It's a very different type on internship structure, and I was able to create my own projects and participate in ongoing projects. Food First gives you the foundation to critique our industrialized food regime and provides analysis and specific solutions on how we can fix it. Being situated in the Bay Area, in the context of strong and active community organization added value to my experience. Because of Food First, I now have a strong foundation for going out into the world and playing my unique role for change. Some of my favorite memories are the shared lunches and gardening experiences with fellow interns and staff.
More feedback...
Would you volunteer for this group again?
Likely
For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?
Some
Did the organization use your time wisely?
Okay
Would you recommend this group to a friend?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
1 person found this review helpful
December 12, 2011
1 person found this review helpful
I participated with Food First as part of a very localized fellowship program. It gave big picture context to my work. It is a very get out what you put in situation. They love self-starters and people with good ideas. The staff are great, and I learned so much from them. They know how to appreciate the work of their unpaid interns, because the organization depends on them. I gained a lot being part of the intern team. It's best if you can come in more than once a week, and have a specific project you want to work on. Also, lunch cooking rotation was great!
More feedback...
Would you volunteer for this group again?
Definitely
For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?
Some
Did the organization use your time wisely?
Quite well
Would you recommend this group to a friend?
Likely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2011
September 3, 2011
If a bad feeling comes up during your lectures, while watching the news or driving through profitable rural landscapes, the institute will help you locate it, help you explain it for youselves, and help you find out what to do about it. There is a wealth of information that concerns anyone who feels uncomfortable with the status quo.
Food First deals with the symptoms of the problem, the problem itself, but also with a wide range of solutions under the name of 'agroecology'. Therefore, although you will learn more and more about famine, poverty and greed, it may well happen that every week at the institite you grow more optimistic. The people at Food First are happy folk, there's good food and conversation over lunch, and I suppose this has to do with the fact that fierce critique goes hand in hand with a proposal. For us young folk, students or simply aroused individuals searching for a sustainable and just future, being at the institute is highly comforting.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
seeing agriculture in an integrated fashion, as being an biological system and a social system, intertwined closely
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
enlarge it
More feedback...
Would you volunteer for this group again?
Definitely
For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?
Life-changing
Did the organization use your time wisely?
Very Well
Would you recommend this group to a friend?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2011
2 people found this review helpful
August 29, 2011
2 people found this review helpful
Food First is a place for people with open minds. Such an attitude can help you make the most out of the interactions with people from all walks of life that visit or are involved with FF. These people have enriched my own thinking and action, and some of them include David Hilliard from the Black Panthers, Lucas Benitez from the CIW, Graduate students from UC Berkeley and Great Britain, amazing peers from Germany and the US, etc. And of course, among the FF staff there are hidden treasures waiting to be discovered.
Food First is also a place for radicals. Radicals in the sense that the organization pushes for structural change like no other NGO or think tank does out there. For a change, people you talk to will not think anarchism is a synonym of chaos, will be aware that the Black Panthers were not the violent gun waiving terrorists that the media and the government would like us to believe, will know what is capitalism, how it operates, what are its contradictions, etc. Its people who see the system for what it is. (AKA, unplugged from the Matrix)
Lastly, Food First is a place for people who love to cook/eat/share good food and meals. There is a gorgeous garden that provides some of the veggies for the daily vegetarian lunches. You will definitely miss sitting by the stairs with everyone, enjoying a good talk with good food and plenty of sun.
On the flip side, you will definitely find some things you dislike. Like everything in life, Food First is not a perfect organization, but its purpose is essential to the struggles of those who suffer, and its people are genuine. it is absolutely worth your time, energy, resources, commitment and hope.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
The way the term Food Sovereignty has become more and more well-known. There is a reframing of food issues from security and sustainability towards ownership.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Organize interns differently to focus their efforts in a narrower scope. Fewer projects, more depth.
August 12, 2011
My time at Food First was extremely beneficial to me personally and academically. The concept of Food Sovereignty and the knowledge that Eric and the Food First staff hold was vital to my MA research . I learnt about movements and issues that I wouldn't have been exposed to if I'd stayed home. I also grew on a personal level, meeting people from various backgrounds who all had different interests and experiences in the food movement. The volunteer group atmosphere is great and I made some amazing friends. The staff at Food First encouraged us to get involved in food events in the Bay area and they lovingly cooked us lunch every day - that was awesome! I think Food First is a great place to volunteer for if you're interested in food justice and food sovereignty, or if you want to learn more about food through researching and writing updates for their very active website! As a volunteer you are recognised as a crucial person in the Food First family and supported to take on new challenges and achieve your own goals.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
The Coalition of Immokalee Workers came to talk to the interns one day and I learnt a lot about how important Food First was in supporting and promoting the campaigns and struggles within the food movement. I was so inspired that a group of us went to San Francisco to march in protest outside Trader Joe's (demanding fairer working conditions and a penny per pound more for tomato pickers)
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
I really can't think of anything I would change.
More feedback...
Would you volunteer for this group again?
Definitely
For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?
A lot
Did the organization use your time wisely?
Quite well
Would you recommend this group to a friend?
Definitely
Did your volunteer experience have an effect on you? (teaching you a new skill, or introducing new friends, etc.)
friends, understanding of the issues, confidence in my written work, contribution to my research.
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2011
My Role: Advisor & I have organized and participated in the translation to Spanish of three Food First books. I´ve traveled with Food First to learn about the real causes of inmigration. I´ve work at Food First garden to produce some of the food we share daily for lunch.
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March 2, 2011
Food First responds to my indigenous understanding of Food Sovereignty: Food sovereignty is much more than producing, processing and consuming our own food. Food sovereignty responds to our cosmic way of understanding life as a whole, as being part of nature and the universe. Our life is anchored in values, principles and rules that stand for culture, cooperation living among people, equilibrium with nature, and protecting the common good for the benefit of communities, nations and the people that haven’t yet been born. We try to build a synthesis between spirituality and conduct. That is why I share, learn and work with engaged people at Food First.
Photos
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
I know and I work to destroy the myths about hunger in the world informing that the people is able to produce enough food being just, that free market will not end hunger and, that the only way we are able to be free is when we are food sovereign.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
I would have more people training young community people to research and inform what happens in their communities related to food.
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