Join Lake Erie Section IFT members and friends at our annual golf outing at the beautiful Signature of Solon Golf & Country Club in Solon, Ohio—one of Northeast Ohio’s most acclaimed private clubs. This captivating championship course offers the perfect balance of challenge for seasoned golfers and a scenic, enjoyable experience for duffers alike. Check-in and access to the driving range begin at 10:00 a.m., with a picnic-style lunch served from 10:30–11:30 a.m. The outing kicks off with an 11:30 a.m. shotgun start, setting the stage for an exceptional day on the course. Following play, enjoy a post-round reception featuring food, drinks, and great company as we wrap up a fantastic day of golf and networking.
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Product Development Division
Provides a platform for science of food professionals to interact, inquire, collaborate, and develop new or improved food products, ingredients, processes and packaging.
Chairperson
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2400+
Members
1997
Year Founded
55+
Countries Represented by Members
Noteworthy Programs
Product Development Division Vision & Mission
Vision: To bring together science and innovation in developing safe, nutritious, and sustainable food products to meet global consumer needs and feed the growing population.
Mission:
To provide a global platform for networking and knowledge sharing in food product development.
To engage and educate members on innovations, opportunities, and challenges in product development.
To mentor future minds and provide opportunities for learning and acquiring skills for product development.
Division Accomplishments/Recognitions
The Outstanding Volunteer award honors a current Division member who provided exemplary volunteer work to the Division in the current year. The 2024-2025 recipient is Kaustav Majumder and Hong You.
The Outstanding Service award honors current Division members who have demonstrated a history of service to the Division or field. The 2024-2025 recipient is Milda Embuscado.
Division Oral Competition Finalists
First: Katelyn Boyle, Alabama A&M University: Development of a Functional Food Snack Product Utilizing Antioxidant Rich Spirulina Microalgae and Bilberry
Second: Durga Bhavani Mahankali, University of Wisconsin Stout: Effect of Celery Infusion on the Physicochemical, Textural, and Sensory Properties of Cottage Cheese
Product Development Division Infographic Competition (2024)
First Place: Amarthya Benigna Achmadi, Annisa Mutiara Faida, Que Trinh Tran, University of New South Wales
Second Place: Pramith Ukwattage Don, South Dakota State University
Third Place: Siti Fatimah Azzahrah, Bogor Agricultural University
Ready to Join IFT?
Gain access to an invaluable network, resources, and insights to help you make greater contributions through your work and to the future of food.
Upcoming Events
May 20, 2026
Lake Erie Section IFT Suppliers Expo 2026
Explore the latest in food ingredients, services, logistics, and more – all FREE for attendees! Attendees represent all sectors of the food industry, from packaging to manufacturing, to R&D and food safety, to marketing and sales and beyond.
Section Event
May 19, 2026
Lake Erie Section IFT Golf Outing 2026
Join us for a day of golf at one of Northeast Ohio's most acclaimed private golf clubs!
Section Event
May 5, 2026
Northern California Section IFT (NCIFT) Suppliers Night 2026
Join us for an afternoon and evening of education and expo time. The symposium team is building an interesting and educational event, but continues to confirm speakers so more on that as it develops. We're confident that you'll find it great. With almost 250 exhibitors, you'll want to wear your comfortable shoes! In addition, this will be our second year providing a poster competition for our students. Be sure to look over the posters and ask the presenters some questions.
Section Event
April 29, 2026
Maryland Section IFT Suppliers Night 2026
Join us for the 2026 Maryland IFT Suppliers Night! The Maryland IFT Suppliers Night is a key networking event for food and beverage professionals across the Mid-Atlantic region. It brings together food manufacturers, beverage companies, ingredient suppliers, R&D specialists, and quality assurance experts for an evening focused on innovation and collaboration. Attendees can connect with peers, explore new products and technologies, and discover solutions that support product development and food safety.
Section Event
April 20, 2026
Aksarben Section IFT Suppliers Day 2026
One benefit of joining Aksarben IFT Section is being part of a vibrant community. During our events, you can connect with others in the food and beverage industry, keep up to date with rising market and technological trends, and together explore the possibilities and the future of food.
Section Event
April 16, 2026
New York Section IFT Suppliers Day 2026
Join us for a morning of Technical Seminars and an afternoon of nearly 200 exhibitors. End the day with networking, appetizers, and cash bar in Birchwood Manor's West Lounge and covered outdoor terrace.
Section Event
How to Join a Division
Joining a Division is easy! Signing up for a Division gives you access to the Division’s IFT Connect Community, signs you up for their newsletter, and gives you access to Subject Matter Experts in the field. To sign up for a Division, visit IFT-Divisions. After signing into your account, check the boxes of the Divisions you would like to be involved with and click save.