News Updates Writer, Simply Recipes

Editorial/Content United States


This assignment posting is for an Agency Worker opportunity with People Inc. The Agency Worker is paid by a staffing agency employer. Agency Workers will receive a W2 from the staffing agency reporting their earnings for tax purposes.

People Inc. is looking for a remote writer to write and produce timely content for Simply Recipes to cover food recalls that are relevant to our readers. This writer will monitor and report on recalls involving groceries and ingredients that home cooks may have in their kitchens.

Recall coverage is an important service we provide to readers, and accuracy, speed, and strong news judgment are essential. The ideal candidate can quickly review recall announcements from government agencies, companies, and retailers; identify the information that matters most to consumers; verify key details; and turn that reporting into clear, concise news stories in the Simply Recipes voice.

This role requires more than summarizing a recall announcement. Writers should be able to prioritize information, provide useful context, and clearly explain what readers need to know and what, if anything, they should do.

About The Role:

This is a remote contract position that requires a weekly commitment of 3-5 hours with a potential increase in hours. The rate for this position is $25/hr. Applicants must live in the United States.

In this role, you will:

  • Monitor sources, including the FDA, USDA, CDC, company, and retailer websites, for food recalls relevant to Simply Recipes readers

  • Write timely, accurate recall stories that prioritize the information most useful to home cooks on an agreed upon 24-hour turnaround timeline 

  • Identify and clearly communicate key recall details, including product names, package sizes, UPCs, lot or batch codes, dates, establishment numbers, and distribution information, when applicable

  • Explain the reason for a recall and any potential health risks accurately and without overstating or speculating about the level of risk

  • Clearly explain what readers should do if they have a recalled product, based on guidance from the appropriate government agency, manufacturer, or retailer

  • Verify recall information against additional authoritative sources when available and flag discrepancies between sources

  • Write clear, accurate, and compelling headlines that identify the recalled product and, when relevant, the associated brand or retailer

  • Include appropriate sourcing, attribution, and links in every story

  • Work independently and efficiently to turn around assignments on deadline

  • Follow Simply Recipes' editorial standards, voice, and style guidelines

Skills/Experience:

  • At least two years of professional writing or reporting experience, preferably for a digital publication; experience covering food, consumer news, health and safety, or breaking news is a plus

  • Excellent news judgment and the ability to quickly identify the most important information in government, company, and retailer recall notices

  • Strong reporting, writing, fact-checking, and copy-editing skills

  • Exceptional attention to detail, particularly when working with product names, UPCs, lot codes, dates, and other identifying information

  • An understanding of reliable sourcing and the ability to distinguish primary and authoritative sources from secondary reporting

  • Ability to translate technical or government language into clear, conversational copy without sacrificing accuracy

  • Ability to write quickly and accurately on deadline

  • Familiarity with food, grocery products, cooking, and the concerns of home cooks is strongly preferred

  • Ability to adopt an established brand voice and adhere to editorial and style guidelines

  • Comfortable working independently and communicating clearly with editors

Candidates will be asked to complete a short writing test demonstrating their ability to report and write a food recall story for Simply Recipes.

About Us:

For over 20 years, Simply Recipes, a People Inc. brand, has helped take the stress out of feeding your family. Our priority is to share recipes you’ll want to make again and again. That’s why more than eight million home cooks turn to us each month for our reliable, accessible, and family-friendly food content.

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