Digital Equity, Community Data & Food Access Intern – Abundance App Project

Improving a Community-Designed Food Resource App with Vital Village Networks

Description: 

The Abundance App is a mobile application used by families to find accessible, affordable, high-quality food resources in neighborhoods across Metro Boston. Families post reviews for and provide input about their experience at 700+ locations, including food pantries, free meal sites, community fridges, WIC-approved stores or local farmers’ markets. The tool was developed by the Vital Village Network Data Workgroup, a group of Boston residents, community leaders, government partners and Vital Village staff who came together to empower residents of Roxbury, MA to find affordable food options and to celebrate local food initiatives. 

Based on feedback from families and community partners, we are expanding Abundance so residents of all technical abilities and language backgrounds can have a say in the app and access important information about food resources. A practicum student would support the Community Data Working Group to help design new features on our website, and ensure they are rooted in families’ experiences and celebrate community-driven strengths. 

Responsibilities include: 

• Improve systems for identifying and updating resources for the Abundance food app 
• Determine best practices for sharing feedback with partner sites.
• Conduct human-centered design sessions and participatory research with residents and the Community Data Workgroup, to identify trends in resident experiences with accessing food resources and with using the Abundance App. 
• Work with the VVN Abundance team to design programming, communications, and outreach strategies centered around residents and community leaders. 
• Conduct quantitative and qualitative analyses to highlight trends in community feedback, and translate these findings into business requirements for the Abundance website. Assist VVN staff with implementing culturally-appropriate, accessible web improvements.

Ideal Candidate:

We are seeking a graduate-level student (or upper-level undergraduate with relevant experience) who demonstrates:

• Strong interest in addressing food justice, food insecurity, and data systems
• Strong data entry and analysis skills
• GIS mapping skills a plus
• Excellent writing, editing, and organizational skills
• Strong interpersonal and community engagement skills
• Commitment to equity, inclusion, and amplifying community voices

Additional Details:

• Primarily remote, with flexible schedule and start/end dates
• Estimated 10–15 hours/week (negotiable based on program)
• Occasional opportunities for in-person engagement in Boston if desired
• Practicum supervision and mentorship provided by VVN team
• To apply, please submit a brief cover letter, resume, and 1–2 relevant writing or data analysis or data visualization work samples to arvind.pawar@bmc.org