IFT Celebrates Inaugural Section Impact Award Winners for Volunteering Excellence in Food Science Community

CHICAGO — The Institute of Food Technologists (IFT), a nonprofit scientific organization committed to advancing the science of food and its application across the global food system, recognized five IFT Sections this year with its new IFT Section Impact Award. IFT Sections allow food science professionals to network with their local peers through a variety of events and opportunities, including supplier nights. IFT has 47 Sections spread across the U.S., as well as Mexico, Japan, England and Canada.

Each winning section, which received a monetary prize to be used for continued local programming, was recognized at IFT FIRST 2024.

One award was presented to each Section in the following categories:

• Innovative Section Programming
• Grants and Scholarships
• Student Engagement
• Section Outreach
• Advocacy and Public Policy

“Sections are integral to the success of IFT’s global community, providing both virtual and in-person networking opportunities throughout the year where professionals working in the science of food can learn from one another and build their careers,” said IFT CEO Christie Tarantino-Dean. “Over the years, IFT Sections have had a tremendous impact on their local communities, and we are proud to recognize those contributions with the launch of the IFT Section Impact Awards.”

Here is a summary of each winner:

IMPACT AWARD FOR INNOVATIVE SECTION PROGRAMMING. The New York Section of IFT (NYIFT) was selected as the Section Programming winner in recognition of its two sold-out events this year that focused on artificial intelligence and the future impacts of AI in the food industry. Established in 1942, NYIFT includes members from Northern and Central New Jersey, New York City and Southeastern New York State (excluding Long Island). The Section Chair is retired PepsiCo executive Spencer Sullivan.

IMPACT AWARD FOR GRANTS AND SCHOLARSHIPS. The recipient of the grants and scholarships award was the Alamo Section of IFT from San Antonio, Texas. Geographically the largest IFT section, the Alamo Section covers South Texas, including Austin, San Antonio, College Station, Houston, Laredo and the Rio Grande Valley. The Alamo Section, which was recognized as an IFT Section of Excellence in 2019-2020, the Alamo Section uses its annual golf event to raise money for local grants and scholarships. The 2023 golf outing raised nearly $20,000 and over the last 10 years, it has raised more than $150,000 to help students at six colleges and universities in Texas. The 2024 golf outing recently took place on Nov. 7, at Fort Sam Houston Golf Course in San Antonio. The Immediate Past Chair is Mary Karpati with Beneo.

IMPACT AWARD FOR STUDENT ENGAGEMENT. The Oregon Section of IFT (OSIFT) was recognized as the student engagement award winner for its work to engage with the Oregon State University Institute of Food Technologists Student Association (IFTSA) and its more than 30 members. Through their efforts, student membership in the Section increased 30% since the pandemic, due in large part to strengthening ties and creating a pipeline for future Section leaders and volunteers, as well as supporting several student programs and events. The OSIFT President is Christina Johnson from KFK Seasonings.

IMPACT AWARD FOR SECTION OUTREACH. The Kansas City Section of IFT, representing the states of Kansas and Missouri, was selected as the winner for Section Outreach. Under the leadership of now Immediate Past President Jennifer Vuia-Riser, the Kansas City Section has flourished with extensive engagement that has included launching initiatives to strengthen ties with local students and universities. The Kansas City Section also launched an outreach initiative to increase in-person presence at events, boost their social media footprint, host events and build stronger relationships with the higher education community.

IMPACT AWARD FOR ADVOCACY AND PUBLIC POLICY. The Washington, D.C. Section was the final Impact Award winner this year for its work around advocacy and public policy led by President Kelly Higgins from Exponent. Most of the D.C. Section activities involve public policy, including the highly successful Food Policy Impact Summit that featured more than 100 attendees and 26 speakers and panelists.

To learn more about joining an IFT Section, go to www.ift.org/community/regional-sections.