CUCE-NYC Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program Evaluation

The New York State Farmers’ Market Nutrition Programs (FMNP) promote local farmers and support the health of limited resource older adults and WIC families by providing coupons for fresh local produce redeemable at participating farmers’ markets. While DNS supports statewide FMNP outreach, CUCE-NYC provides 1) consumer nutrition education at farmers’ markets to encourage selection and consumption of local produce, 2) training and educational materials for FMNP participants, CUCE-NYC staff, and farmers’ market managers and vendors, and 3) coordination and collaboration among NYC FMNP stakeholders to increase programmatic reach and impact.

Roles and responsibilities 

• Participate in CUCE-NYC FNMP orientation and training and shadow experienced community education program educators at NYC farmers’ markets
• Attend outdoor farmers' markets across NYC and assist in providing nutrition education using FMNP education materials and recipe samples prepared by the intern
• Assist in data collection about CUCE-NYC market activities using standard program delivery forms
• Complete survey dissemination training, and demonstrate awareness of evaluation outcomes and methods
• Invite market visitors to complete program evaluation surveys at markets
• In collaboration with staff educators, provide feedback on and recommendations for future education materials
• Participate in invited CHE-NYC internship activities and events
   

Qualifications and previous coursework

This opportunity is available to students in Cornell University's College of Human Ecology.

• The successful intern will:
  • Have interest in public health and community nutrition. (Introductory nutrition coursework is preferred but not required.)
  • Have interest in learning program evaluation approaches. (Human research experience is preferred but not required.)
  • Be willing to work with diverse, multicultural staff and audiences
  • Be able to work well with others as part of a team
  • Be able to follow directions well and take initiative as appropriate
  • Be adaptable and willing to travel to NYC neighborhoods where assigned
  • Practice good communication skills and exhibit diligence and punctuality
• The intern will be required to commute/use public transportation to travel to farmers’ market locations throughout the 5 boroughs of NYC. Farmers’ markets operate during weekdays and on weekends at varying hours.
   

Learning outcomes 

After completing this internship, the CCE summer intern will be able to:

• After completing this internship, the intern will be able to:
• Describe the purpose and importance of FMNP programs and CUCE-NYC FMNP Outreach
• Conduct effective nutrition education at farmers’ markets and partner locations
• Prepare recipes for market customer sampling using proper food safety guidelines and locally grown, in-season produce
• Describe evaluation approaches for FMNP
• Collect relevant evaluation data at FMNP education events
• Analyze, interpret, and report CUCE-NYC FMNP evaluation data to diverse stakeholder groups