Mars Wrigley Product Development Competition Finalists to Square Off in Chicago at Prominent Food Science and Technology Event

CHICAGO – June 4, 2024 – The Institute of Food Technologists Student Association (IFTSA), a student-governed community of members of the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT), has announced the finalists for the 34th Annual IFTSA and Mars Wrigley Product Development Competition, which requires student teams to develop a new food idea and carry the concept through to marketing and production. Six teams were selected as finalists, earning partial travel and registration to IFT FIRST: Annual Event and Expo, which is being held July 14-17, 2024, at McCormick Place in Chicago.

At IFT FIRST, each team will present their pitch through an oral presentation and a tasting session to an expert panel. Judges will evaluate the product’s overall effectiveness, including technical problem-solving, process feasibility, and taste, ensuring the product’s commercial viability and appeal. Winners will be announced at the IFTSA Closing Ceremony on Tuesday night, July 16, 2024. First place receives $3,000, second place receives $1,500 and third place receives $500.

“This competition empowers student teams to operate like real-world commercial product development teams, offering them the opportunity to harness creativity, teamwork, and scientific skills to create the next big innovation in food,” said Christina Ginardi, Director of Academic Engagement at IFT, a nonprofit scientific organization committed to advancing the science of food and its application across the global food system.

Last year, Cornell University claimed top honors for its new food product CaféNana, an upcycled, innovative caffeinated coffee-banana sandwich bite consisting of two chewy banana leather pieces and a creamy sunflower butter coffee filling. Cornell has won the IFTSA and Mars Wrigley Product Development Competition 11 times dating back to 1995 and is once again a finalist this year.

FINALISTS

Bright Bites – University of Florida (Gainesville, Florida)
Bright Bites is composed of a spiced crème filling sandwiched between two layers of ginger cake, topped with a zesty lemon jam. It is a very low sodium and vegan snack cake, uniquely leavened with potassium bicarbonate.

Mango Sticky Bites – California State Polytechnic University, Pomona (Pomona, California)
Mango Sticky Bites is a delicious Asian fusion dessert that is inspired by two popular traditional Asian desserts, mango sticky rice and Daifuku. This product consists of five different components in one bite that includes a mango gelee center containing real mango bits, surrounded by a creamy coconut flavored Thai sticky rice, encapsulated in a thin layer of natural mango flavored mochi, and served with a side of sweet yet decadent coconut sauce and toasted sesame seeds.

Nonna’s Nopales – Cornell University (Ithaca, New York)
Nonna’s Nopales frozen meal kit is designed to satisfy Gen-Z and Millennial consumers seeking nutritious, easy-to-prepare meals with exciting fusion flavors. The creamy, tomatillo-herb sauce paired with gnocchi made from nopal cactus pads artfully blends Mexican flavors into the class Italian gnocchi dish.

KimCheer – Oregon State University (Corvallis, Oregon)
KimCheer contains a delicious mix of air fried tempeh, lotus root, rice paper, and purple sweet potato chips coated with a signature kimchi seasoning, giving the consumer a crunch with a kimchi punch.

SOL – Spice of Life: Vanilla Chai Cognitive Wellness Beverage – Chapman University (Orange, California)
Spice of Life is a vanilla chai-flavored, shelf-stable ultra-high temperature, dairy-based wellness beverage. It is a pioneering ultra-filtered milk-based wellness shot offering unparalleled versatility in consumption methods while accommodating lactose-intolerant individuals. The product also contains cognitive functional ingredients including L-theanine to provide alertness and mental clarity beyond the benefits of caffeine.

Quinocchis – McGill University (Montreal, Quebec, Canada)
Quinocchis is a vegan, cheese-stuffed gnocchi that utilizes upcycled ingredients and can be eaten as both a dessert and as a meal.

To register for IFT FIRST, go to IFT FIRST Registration. Student members receive a discount to IFT FIRST. To learn more about becoming a student member and taking advantage of networking, education, and advocacy opportunities year-round, email [email protected].

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 Contact

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