Welcome to the new IFT.org
Now home to IFT FIRST
Division Competitions
Student Hackathons
Hackathons offer students the opportunity to solve real-world challenges and connect with students from across the globe. Hosted by IFT Divisions, hackathons are held twice per year at different points in the academic calendar.
Our Power, Our Planet: Sustainable Food Tech Challenge
Date: April 22-29, 2026
In this student hackathon, teams will innovatively tackle circular economy solutions using non-thermal food processing technologies. You will choose a real food-industry co-product or waste stream, uncover its safety and stability challenges, and design a forward-thinking process or product that leverages nonthermal technology to boost sustainability, feasibility, and energy efficiency. If you are ready to shape the future of the global food system and pitch your breakthrough ideas—this is your stage!
