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Smart Snacks for Kids Product Development Competition
The IFTSA Smart Snacks for Kids Competition challenges students to develop a fun and nutritious food or beverage product targeted at kids and/or teens. Products must abide by the USDA “Guide to Smart Snacks in School” recommendations. (Specific information can be found here.)
Teams are empowered to use their imagination in the science and overall appeal in the creation of a novel product. A crucial component of a winning product is the team’s ability to relay the food or beverage’s “smart” qualities to both a technical and general audience.
Leveraging your “smarts,” channel your inner child and develop the ultimate kid-friendly product!
Preliminary applications close February 1, 2026.
Each of the finalist teams will receive reimbursement for travel and registration to IFT FIRST of up to $1,800. Winners will be announced at the IFTSA Closing Ceremony. Prize amounts are as follows:
- First Place: $3,000
- Second Place: $1,500
- Third Place: $500
- Teams submitting proposals should have two to five members and be enrolled at the same institution during the fall semester.
- All members of the team must be IFT student members.
- For complete details, consult the guidelines document for this competition.
- First Place: IamFan, Cornell University
- Second Place: Blueberry Brain Bars, Cornell University
- Third Place: Astrobites, McGill University
Contact Information
If you have questions about the submission process, contact the Competition Chair, Marissa Rizzi (University of Massachusetts Amherst).