Production and Outreach Internship

Job Title: Production & Outreach Internship (with optional Social Media add-on)
Location: Richmond, VA – Hatch Kitchen, local grocery stores, and farmers markets
Duration: 9-month internship
Hours: 20–40 hours/week (with optional 10 hours/week for social media)
Compensation: $15/hour

Company Overview:
Chaotic Good Tempeh makes small-batch, chickpea-based tempeh using old-school fermentation techniques for the modern table. We're Richmond-based and obsessed with flavor, texture, and taking tempeh out of the bland health-food box. This isn’t lab meat or sad tofu — it’s real food with real funk (the good kind).

Internship Overview:

We’re offering a hands-on internship for folks who want to learn what it really takes to make sustainable food at scale. As our Production & Outreach Intern, you’ll be elbow-deep in chickpeas, hustling in a hot kitchen, and helping us ferment, steam, pack, and sling our tempeh like pros. You’ll also represent us at farmers markets and grocery demos — talking to real customers and spreading the good word.

If you're looking to sweat a little, laugh a lot, and eat more tempeh than you ever thought possible — this is your internship.

What You’ll Do

Production & Kitchen Work

Help make our chickpea tempeh from scratch — prep, ferment, steam, pack, repeat.

Keep the kitchen clean, organized, and up to health code (we’re serious about food safety).

Operate equipment with care — steamers, kettles, and your own two hands.

Track production data and stay alert for issues or inconsistencies.

Farmers Markets & Demos

Represent the brand at farmers markets and in-store demos with warmth and confidence.

Set up beautiful booths, offer samples, and educate people about what the heck tempeh is (and why ours rules).

Track inventory, sales, and customer feedback while staying cool under pressure (and under tents).

Occasionally assist with deliveries or behind-the-scenes prep for events.

📱 Optional Add-On: Social Media (up to 10 additional hours/week)
If you're digitally savvy and want to flex your creative muscles, you can opt in to take on social media tasks:

Plan and post engaging content for Instagram and Facebook

Design educational graphics and product spotlights

Monitor engagement and reply to comments or messages

Contribute to content calendars and brand storytelling

Who You Are

You care — about food, people, and doing good work.

You’re curious, coachable, and excited to learn by doing.

You’re comfortable talking to strangers and love turning skeptics into superfans.

You eat plant-based sometimes, always, or are just tempeh-curious.

Must-Haves

Ability to lift 50 lbs and work on your feet for extended periods

Willingness to work in a hot kitchen environment with repetitive tasks

Dependable and punctual — you show up on time, ready to work

Comfortable working weekends and some early mornings for markets/demos

Good communication skills and the ability to follow instructions precisely

A food-safe mindset — you're serious about cleanliness, sanitation, and quality

Nice-to-Haves (but not deal-breakers)

Commercial kitchen or food service experience

Demo or retail experience

Love of fermentation, funky flavors, or low-key food nerdery

Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation

For social media add-on: Experience with Instagram, Canva, or basic content creation

What You Get

$15/hour and flexible hours that fit your schedule

Real-world skills in food production, fermentation, customer engagement, and small-batch operations

Optional digital marketing experience to build your portfolio

A behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to grow a food brand from the ground up

All the tempeh you can handle (and then some)

Potential for future work depending on fit and business growth

Proper documentation for course credit if needed

A welcoming team that values integrity, weird ideas, and good snacks

To Apply:

Email your resume and a short note about why you're interested in the internship to keith@chaoticgoodtempeh.com.
Tell us what excites you — about tempeh, food, or just the idea of working with your hands.
Interested in the social media add-on? Mention that in your email!