How to apply to a values-driven food organisation

We platform a diverse range of roles and organisations, but one thing links all our ads: being values-driven organsations that are championing a fairer food system. If, like most jobseekers in this sector, you find a role that you are genuinely excited about you need to let that passion shine through.

Sustainable food and farming organisations are often comprised of small, mission-driven teams. Looking beyond a skill set to finding someone that really understands why the work matters can be central to much of this sector's recruiting. So don't be put off if you don't match every single criteria or if you're pivoting from a different sector. Here's our top tips for making your application stand out.

Lead with your why

It's tempting to open with a sweeping statement about loving food or caring about the planet. Resist it. It's likely most people applying for that particular job loves food and cares about the planet.

Instead, be specific about your why. What brought you to this kind of work? Was it a particular experience, a career pivot, a community project you got involved with? A sentence or two of honest, personal context does far more than a vague declaration of passion.

For example: "I spent three years volunteering at a community garden in Sheffield, which is where I first understood the connection between growing food and creating local resilience which is what made me want to do this work full-time."

Understand the mission

Make sure you do your research into the organisation or business: read their website, recent news, annual report. Understand not just what they do, but why and reflect that in your application. 

Talk about how your experience fits their goals and be bespoke in each application (even if it takes time). An organisation focused on inner city food access has different priorities to a regenerative farm. 

Demonstrate your skills

This is relevant for all roles but something that applicants do miss. Transferable skills count here if you can demonstrate their relevance. Give examples of outcomes and what you actually did or achieved. Use the STAR method (outline a Situation, the Task, your Action and the Results). 

Instead of "I have strong communication skills", try "I managed our organisation's newsletter for two years, growing the subscriber list from 450 to 2000 readers."

Address the values fit

Many sustainable food organisations have strong commitments to justice, equity, inclusion, environmental justice, or worker rights. If these align with your values then authentically demonstrate it or share your experience. If you are still learning and developing your thinking, that's also worth saying honestly. Steer clear of mentioned buzzwords without context. 

Use AI to enhance, not to create

This is particularly relevant for the two points above (and for all applications!). Recruiters can see through applications that are AI-generated as they often lack someone's individual voice or are a jumble of words but no sustance. 

For more support finding a sustainable food job visit our resources page.