Immersive Spring Break Experience: Food & Nutrition Innovation Institute
Food Recovery Mission in Halifax: A Better Life Foundation & Upward Mobility Kitchens
About the Food & Nutrition Innovation Institute
The mission of the Food and Nutrition Innovation Institute at the Friedman School is to foster a robust, science-driven ecosystem of food, agricultural, and wellness innovation and entrepreneurship for a healthier, equitable, and sustainable food system. Activities conceived or supported through the Food and Innovation Institute are driven by the Food & Nutrition Innovation Council, faculty, students, policy makers, and other external stakeholders.
The Institute is hosted by the Gerald J. and Dorothy R. Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University, focused on generating trusted science, educating future leaders, and producing real world impact in nutrition science and policy. The Friedman School engages expertise, perspectives, and resources from diverse sectors in order to create and apply dynamic, interdisciplinary solutions to the most pressing challenges in nutrition science and policy.
This opportunity is offered in partnership and with support from the Friedman School’s Ellie Block and Family Career Services Center.
About A Better Life Foundation and Upward Mobility Kitchens
A Better Life Foundation: Starting with food security, we are working to security upward mobility for those living in the margins. ABLF creates radical space for inclusion. Our initiatives united people in the kitchen or at the table to increase community wellbeing. Food is our last best hope to connect and build with our neighbors. By raising critical funds, educating and convening change-makers at our events, we help create a better life for those who need it most with our unique, community-forward programming. We hold space for deep conversations about food systems and our access to the good, nutrition kind as well as what it means to be in community at large.
Upward Mobility Kitchens: Since 2009, Upward has operated every day to create meals that go above and beyond for those in need. Founded by Mark Brand out of the historic Save On Meats building, Upward continues to operate from 43 West Hastings, along with kitchens in Halifax Nova Scotia, and partner kitchens in Harlem and Clinton Hill, New York. The mission has never changed: how can we get people in critical food need, from schools to shelters, the highest quality product, while respecting People, Planet, and Place. To date, Upward has served over 4 million meals and employed hundreds of people with traditional barriers, to great success. We believe that food is a birthright, and until everyone agrees with us, we’ll be in our communities feeding as many people as we can, every single day.
Learn more about A Better Life Foundation and Upward Mobility Kitchens.
About this opportunity
The Food & Nutrition Innovation Institute in partnership with A Better Life Foundation (ABLF) seeks up to two (2) Friedman MS students to participate in an immersive spring break experience hosted by ABLF and Upward Mobility Kitchens at their kitchen and community space located in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Students will embed with Upward Mobility Kitchens and learn about their various community-driven food recovery and outreach efforts including their daily meals program, school lunch program, token window, recovery kitchen, and frozen meals for community programs.
Students will experience the hands-on work of food recovery and outreach, including working in the kitchen preparing food and packaging meals, working at the token window handing out meals to community members, delivering fresh-made meals to local schools, etc. all while learning about ABLF and Upward Mobility Kitchens’ work in Halifax and elsewhere in Canada and the United States.
Students will be expected to produce a public-facing piece (i.e., blog post, video, photo collection/commentary) reflecting on their experience.
Up to 2 students will be selected to participate. Round trip airfare Boston<>Halifax and accommodation in Halifax from Sunday, March 16 (check-in) through Thursday, March 20 (check-out) will be provided. Some meals are expected to be provided as part of the program. Students are responsible for all other expenses.
To apply:
Please email your resume/CV and a cover letter to Hallie Maly (Hallie.maly@tufts.edu). Your cover letter should describe why you are interested in this opportunity.
Applications will be considered and spots filled on a rolling basis. The final application deadline is February 14, 2024.
