University of Costa Rica Wins Food Product Development Competition to Help Developing Countries

CHICAGO – August 15, 2024 – The Institute of Food Technologists Student Association (IFTSA), a student-governed community of members of the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT), is pleased to announce that the University of Costa Rica in San Pedro Montes de Oca, San José, has won the IFTSA Developing Solutions for Developing Countries Product Development Competition. The team was recently honored at IFT FIRST: Annual Event and Expo, IFT’s popular food science, technology, and innovation showcase aimed at addressing the biggest issues impacting the global food system that attracted more than 16,000 attendees and over 1,100 exhibitors.

The Developing Solutions for Developing Countries Product Development Competition, sponsored by IFT’s Feeding Tomorrow Fund, challenges students to use food science and technology to create new products and processes that are targeted at improving the quality of life for people in developing countries.

The University of Costa Rica team won with HopEnergy, an instant powdered drink designed for migrants passing through Costa Rica made from panela, milk, grains, and seeds. It is high in protein and calcium, and is a source of iron, vitamin A, and fiber. Meanwhile, the Institut Pertanian Bogor in Bangkok, Thailand, was also recognized, earning second and third place for two products: TANDUM Noodle, a gluten-free instant noodle made with MOCAF, sago starch, and whole green banana flour placed second, and GemBoost Tempeh, a mung bean tempeh enriched with tofu byproduct, placed third.

All finalists received partial reimbursement for their trip to IFT FIRST as well as a monetary prize. The University of Costa Rica team was awarded $3,000, while Institut Pertanian Bogor was awarded both the second place prize of $1,500 and the third place prize of $500.

Learn more about IFTSA.

About Institute of Food Technologists Student Association

The Institute of Food Technologists Student Association (IFTSA) is a student-governed community of more than 2,000 IFT members spanning 62 Chapters in 60 countries. IFTSA’s vision of a global community of inspired and informed students who are prepared for a future in food drives its mission to enrich the academic experience and empower students to thrive individually and together. To prepare the future and celebrate the community, IFTSA provides opportunities beyond the classroom and lab, grows student networks to facilitate meaningful and lasting connections, as well as includes and promotes diverse perspectives and backgrounds to foster a culture of belonging. For more information, visit ift.org/community/students.

About Institute of Food Technologists

The Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) is a global organization of over 11,000 individual members from more than 90 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 innovate to advance the science of food as the population and the world evolve. IFT believes that science and innovation 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 Contacts

Dennis Van Milligen
Director, Public and Media Relations
Institute of Food Technologists
630-853-3022
[email protected]

Frannie Comstock
Manager, PR and Marketing
Institute of Food Technologists
513-374-8900
[email protected]