Institute of Food Technologists Launches Concierge Service to Help Companies Quickly Address the Toughest Product Development Challenges

CHICAGO – July 18, 2023 – The Institute of Food Technologists (IFT), a nonprofit scientific organization committed to advancing the science of food and its application across the global food system, has announced the launch of its Concierge Service for food and beverage professionals who might be lacking the bandwidth and resources to conduct critical research and other time-intensive activities necessary in the product development process.

“IFT’s Concierge Service is the research and development support service the food and beverage industry needs to boost efficiency, enhance productivity, accelerate innovation, and increase speed-to-market,” said Kate Dockins, Senior Vice President, Membership Experiences at IFT. “The product development process can be incredibly complicated, and roadblocks can set a company back months or shut down a product altogether. IFT’s Concierge Service can help change that.”

The process is simple. Once determining the support needed, a company can purchase a block of time (10-hour minimum) and submit their requests to IFT’s Technical Concierge when support is needed. The Technical Concierge then determines the resources needed to fulfill the request and work commences.

The Concierge Service was launched earlier this year as part of a membership package, but due to a high level of interest from the industry as well as its potential to help food and beverage professionals innovate more effectively and efficiently, the Concierge Service was expanded as a resource anyone can utilize. Trial, standard, and premium service options are available at varying price levels.

“The IFT Concierge Service is a really great way to increase your resources without increasing headcount,” added Jared Henderson, an IFT member since 1999. Jared and Eagle Foods were early adopters of the Concierge Service, as noted in IFT’s Brain Food blog spotlighting the impact Concierge Service can have on small companies facing big challenges.

To learn more or to schedule a free consultation, go to ift.org/concierge-service, or email concierge@ift.org.

In addition to Concierge Service, IFT also announced it is launching a Product Development Bootcamp, a comprehensive, 10-module course that will better equip food and beverage professionals with the knowledge and skills necessary to excel in the dynamic and competitive world of product development. Ideal for the product development novice or the product development veteran needing a refresher on the basics, the course offers a wealth of valuable insights, practical strategies, and real-world examples to accelerate and enhance product development.

To learn more about the Product Development Bootcamp or to register, go to ift.org/bootcamp.

About Institute of Food Technologists
The Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) is a global organization of approximately 12,000 individual members from more than 100 countries committed to advancing the science of food. Since 1939, IFT has brought together the brightest minds in food science, technology and related professions from academia, government, and industry to solve the world’s greatest food challenges. IFT works to ensure that its members have the resources they need to learn, grow, and advance the science of food as the population and the world evolve. IFT believes that science is essential to ensuring a global food supply that is sustainable, safe, nutritious, and accessible to all. For more information, please visit ift.org.

Media Contact
Dennis Van Milligen
Senior Manager, Public and Media Relations
Institute of Food Technologists
630-853-3022
dvanmilligen@ift.org