The 32nd Annual IFTSA and MARS Product Development Competition is a chance for students to take the skills and knowledge learned in school and apply them to a real-world situation.

Each participating school’s team develops a new food idea and carries the concept through marketing and production, much like a commercial product development team. This is a great opportunity for any student to get involved in food science and IFTSA. It challenges organization, teamwork, creativity, and scientific skills.

2020–2021 Winners

• First Place: Tofumisu, Cornell University
• Second Place: SpecialTea Sauce, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
• Third Place: NADAS, University of Wisconsin, Madison

2020–2021 Finalists

• Dough-Not, McGill University
• TofuBliss, Cal Poly Pomona
• Ultimate Sauce, University of Massachusetts - Amherst
   

Awards

Each of the finalist teams will receive a certificate and a reimbursement for travel the IFT Annual Event & Food Expo of up to $1,500. 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

The winning team will be highlighted in the post-event issue of Food Technology magazine.

Eligibility

In this team competition, participants must be student members of the Institute of Food Technologists and registered as a student during the fall semester of the competition. Teams are limited to 10 members and there may only be one team per university. For complete details, consult the guidelines document for this competition.

2021–2022 Competition Submission and Guidelines

The submission window for this competition is now closed.

Click here for MARS Rules & Regulations

Download proposal template (PDF)

Sample Verification Letter

Download sample letter (PDF)

Competition Chair

Olivia Sparkman, Pennsylvania State University