2019 IFTSA Competition Winners

New Orleans, LA – The Institute of Food Technologists Student Association (IFTSA) recognized more than 20 student groups from around the globe as winners of the 2019 IFTSA competitions.

Held annually to engage IFT’s student members to share their research and explore critical issues outside of the classroom, the competitions range from creating viable food products for underserved populations to producing multimedia content to educate and inspire. Students competed individually or on teams in a variety of categories that aim to advance the study and profession of the science of food. IFT announced the winners at IFT19: Feed Your Future.  

Chapter of the Year 

The Chapter of the Year Award honors one university student organization for exceptional participation, strong leadership, community outreach and providing opportunities that utilize the talents of all their members. This competition also honors an outstanding chapter in each of the following promise areas: Connect, Develop, and Support.

2019 IFTSA Chapter of the Year: Brigham Young University
Outstanding Chapter: Connect – ESPOL
Outstanding Chapter: Develop – University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Outstanding Chapter: Support – Cornell University  
 

College Bowl Competition 

Since 1985, the IFTSA College Bowl Competition has tested the knowledge of student teams from across the United States in the areas of food science and technology, history of foods and food processing, food law, and general IFT/food-related trivia. The College Bowl is designed to facilitate interaction among students from different universities, stimulate the students' desire to accumulate and retain knowledge, and provide a forum for students to engage in friendly competition. Teams for IFT Student Chapters in eight geographical areas of the Student Association competed in area competitions prior to the IFT Annual Meeting. The winning teams from the eight areas competed in a final competition at the Annual Meeting. 
 
First Place: University of Wisconsin-Madison from the North Central Area
Second Place: The Ohio State University from the Midwest Area 
Third Place: Louisiana State University from the South Central Area 
  

Developing Solutions for Developing Countries Competition 

The IFTSA Developing Solutions for Developing Countries competition promotes the application of food science and technology and the development of new products and processes that are targeted at improving the quality of life for people in developing countries. 
 
First Place: MORINGAU, Lund University (Sweden)
Second Place: Go-Crokies, (Bogor Agricultural University) Indonesia
Third Place: Jack Mung, Taylor's University Lakeside Campus (Malaysia)
 

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 Schools” recommendations (specific information can be found here: https://fns-prod.azureedge.net/sites/default/files/tn/USDASmartSnacks.pdf).  
 
First Place: Smooshables Yogurt, Rutgers University
Second Place: Cosmic Crackers, Utah State University
Third Place: Dip-A-Roos, California Polytechnic State University -Pomona  
 

Excellence in Leadership Awards 

The Excellence in Leadership Award recognizes two student members of IFT, one undergraduate and one graduate student, who have demonstrated exemplary leadership in their execution of student activities that furthers the mission of IFT. 
 
Undergraduate Recipient – Nayara Luna Guzmán
Graduate Recipient – Nigel Chimbetete
  

The 29th Annual IFTSA & MARS Product Development Competition 

The 29th Annual IFT Student Association & 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.  
 
First Place: TryDough, Michigan State University
Second Place: Trinipea, University of Wisconsin – Madison 
Third Place: Waffull Wands, Cornell University
 

IFTSA Graduate Research Video Competition 

This competition, developed by Camden BRI and IFTSA, invited graduate students to submit their research in a concise, creative three-minute video. The winner will have the opportunity to visit Camden BRI in the United Kingdom to experience each of the major divisions within Campden BRI (science, technology, brewing, and knowledge management) focusing on the most relevant areas of their area of study. 
 
Winner: Alexander Joseph Taylor, University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign
  

Undergraduate Research Competition

The Undergraduate Research Competition is designed to encourage and stimulate interest in undergraduate research in food science and technology, provide an opportunity for food science undergraduates to organize and present their original work, and provide a venue for networking within IFTSA for undergraduate students as well as members of industry and academia. 

First Place: Sarah Caballero, California Polytechnic State University, Pomona
Second Place: Kuanrong Zhu, The Ohio State University  
Third Place: Nicholas Pham, University of Missouri