Careers & Internships

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Careers

In a member-driven service association, we know that without dedicated, talented and thoughtful people, we cannot be the organization we aspire to be.

We are committed to maintaining a culture of diversity, integrity and strong business principles.

IFPA is looking for talented, career-focused individuals to join our organization. If you are seeking a challenging and rewarding position that will allow you to pursue your career goals while becoming a valuable member of our team, consider a career with us.

IFPA is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity. It is our policy to recruit, hire, train, and promote individuals, as well as to administer personnel practices and actions, without regard to race, genetic information, marital status, color, age, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation or disability, as well as other classifications protected by applicable laws.

If you are interested in applying for any of these positions, please email a cover letter and resume (with salary requirements) to IFPA's Human Resources at HR@freshproduce.com.

Diversity Policy

IFPA is committed to cultivating and sustaining a diverse work environment. To be the best association, and to continue to provide our members with creative ideas and business solutions for operating effectively in a complex global economy, we must have the right mix of people. The people we hire can be found only by looking across the full spectrum of gender, ethnicity, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, culture and level of physical ability. For our employees to excel, everyone must feel that their experience is welcomed and valued and that input from all perspectives is encouraged.

Commitment to Work-Life Balance

At IFPA, we understand that finding the right balance between home and career is not an easy task.

Our many work-life programs respond to the needs of our employees and accordingly, they address physical and emotional health, working parent and family concerns and general needs for increased flexibility in order to navigate the different spheres of life. Some of our programs include:

  • Onsite Fitness Center
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Onsite Kitchen
  • Flexible Work/Compressed Schedule Arrangements
  • Telework/Remote Office Opportunities

 

Internships

The Career Pathways Summer Internship Program offers experiential learning extension opportunities, beyond the traditional classroom, to create a pathway from collegiate to professional careers.
Internships prioritize direct interaction with industry professionals and support the development of leadership skills and competencies to encourage students to persist in their studies and be prepared to enter the workforce.
Twelve paid, 10-week project-based internships will explore subjects relevant to students' academic studies through hands-on experience with IFPA and the produce industry. There are three available internships in each of these four areas:

  • Food Safety Internship supporting the IFPA Food Safety Team. Interns will gain firsthand experience as to how federal food safety policy is developed, how foodborne illness outbreaks are handled, and how science and education promote an industry of risk-based preventive approaches. View full description.
  • Government, Environmental and Nutrition Policy Internship supporting the IFPA Government Relations Team. Interns will gain hands-on experience on regulatory and legislative practices affecting the industry and consumers. View full Government, Environmental and Nutrition Policy Internship description.
  • Research and Analytics Internship supporting the IFPA Global Insights and Analytics Team. Interns will gain firsthand experience in conducting research on industry and consumer trends, disseminating research findings to internal and external stakeholders, including industry members, allied industry partners, government and regulatory agencies, and more, to inform and publish research findings, development of technical and education information and programs, and guide industry practices. View full Research and Analytics Internship description.
  • Sustainability and SciTech Internship supporting the IFPA Science and Technology Team. Interns will gain firsthand experience of industry sustainability issues, science and technology solutions, regulatory and legislative policies, public and private investment, and related issues impacting industry sustainability. View full Sustainability and SciTech Internship description.

Minimum Qualifications:Must be a current Sophomore or Junior (rising Junior or Senior undergraduate student at the time of the summer of 2024 internship) in a STEM based, Agriculture or other degree program as indicated in each of the job descriptions at an accredited college or university in good standing. Funding for this position is grant-based, with the goal of promoting participation in the agriculture and food systems workforce by groups who are noticeably underrepresented in the field, including but not limited to women and people of color.

Stipend / Internship Hours and Duration

  • Interns will receive a total stipend of $4,400 for the 10-week internship.
  • The Internship Kick-Off Orientation, attendance at IFPA’s Washington Conference and project presentation Wrap Up are in-person, and the seven weeks of project work is done online.
    • All travel/hotel/meal expenses associated with the program are covered, as is a laptop and internet service for those who need it.
  • Internships tentatively begin the week of May 27, 2024 and are completed the week of July 29, 2024.
  • This is a Part-Time Internship - approximately 20 hours/week.
  • Attendance at the Kick-Off Orientation, IFPA’s Washington Conference and the Wrap Up Session (after project work) are mandatory.

Timeline

  • Applications will be accepted Monday, November 27, 2023 through Friday, February 23, 2024.

Apply Now

Interested applicants who possess minimum qualifications for this position must first create an account with their college/university as their organization to continue to the IFPA 2024 Summer Internship Application.

For questions about this opportunity or if you experience any difficulties creating your account and accessing the application, email Barbara Hochman, Education & Programs Manager, Talent Attraction, at bhochman@freshproduce.com.