Internships and Careers

Dietetic Internship Rotation

About the CDE School Nutrition Unit

The School Nutrition Unit administers the U.S. Department of Agriculture Child Nutrition Programs that provide healthy food to children in Colorado during the school year and summer. Each child nutrition program helps to fight hunger and obesity, and to promote the health and well-being of children. School Nutrition oversees the following federal programs that serve over 370,000 kids and teens on a daily basis:

• National School Lunch Program
• School Breakfast Program
• Afterschool Snack Program
• Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program
• Provisional Programs
• Special Milk Program
• Summer Food Service Program

School Nutrition also oversees the following state programs: Start Smart Nutrition Program, Lunch Protection Act, the Breakfast After the Bell Nutrition Program and the Healthy School Meals for All Program. 

Supervised Practice in the CDE School Nutrition Unit

The School Nutrition Unit is committed to providing exceptional learning experiences for interns. We create an inclusive, learner-centered approach to ensure professional growth and development. All interns have a primary preceptor in addition to mentors who will coach and guide the intern through specific projects. Projects are identified to ensure interns meet required core competencies.

Supervised practice with the School Nutrition Unit exposes interns to administrative and management practices in child nutrition food service operations. Interns can complete competencies in community, food service, management and nutrition education concentrations during supervised practice. It is recommended that interns complete a minimum of 160 hours during their rotation with the School Nutrition Unit; hours may be completed on a full-time or a part-time basis. Activities can include, but are not limited to, shadowing on administrative reviews, technical assistance and training visits, resource development and attending internal and external meetings, conferences and events.

The goals of the dietetic internship rotation include:

• Providing the knowledge, skills and experiences for developing leaders within child nutrition programs and dietetics.
• Building and enhancing  partnerships across Colorado’s child nutrition community.
• Strengthening professional skills and strategies to grow, develop and achieve career goals.

Apply for an Internship Rotation

School Nutrition will accept interns beginning fall 2025. To apply for an internship rotation with the School Nutrition Unit, complete this form and attach your resume and letter of interest. 

If your dietetic internship program is interested in partnering with the School Nutrition Unit, please contact Ashley Moen at moen_a@cde.state.co.us for more information.

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