Sponsored by Mars Wrigley
IFTSA & Mars Product Development Competition
The 36th 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.
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 and a mentorship opportunity with Mars Wrigley staff
- Second Place: $1,500
- Third Place: $500
- 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 ten members and there may only be one team per university.
- For complete details, consult the guidelines document for this competition.
- 1st Place: GoKara, Cornell University
GoKara is a globally inspired functional snack pack that pairs upcycled okara crisps with a creamy cultured soy dip, creating a delicious and sustainable snacking option.
- 2nd Place: Mangoodle, McGill University
Mangoodle reimagines dessert in an instant ramen format inspired by mango sticky rice. It features a mango-coconut broth, naturally purple noodles, and crunchy toppings for a playful and innovative dessert experience.
- 3rd Place: FourCast Chews, University of Wisconsin-Madison
FourCast Chews are nostalgic sour gummies featuring four seasonal flavors: spring peach, summer pineapple, fall apple, and winter cranberry-spice. Made with clean-label ingredients, they provide nearly 5 grams of fiber per serving in a vegan snack.
Contact Information
If you have questions about the submission process, contact the Competition Chair, Veronica Jaramillo (McGill University).
Competition Sponsor
Mars Wrigley, now part of Mars, Incorporated, is a leading global manufacturer of confectionery and snacks.