Mission: Grow & support the next generation of food and beverage industry professionals.
Vision: Inspire all ages to be engaged in the science of food.
By The Numbers
440,000
scholarships
140
scholarship recipients
45
Individual & Corporate Donors
294
Educators Across 35 States
890,000
donations
20
students mentored
66,798
students reached
How You Can Help
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Donate swag or giveaways for Career Fairs, Raffle Prizes for our Golf Outing or Silent Auction, or money to fund Awareness Activities
How We Raise Funds
What We Do
Inspiring all ages to be engaged in the science of food
Who We Support – Past and Present
Competitive Scholarships—College
Scholarships directed to freshmen, undergraduate, and graduate school students to develop and promote the current and next generation of food and
beverage industry professionals.
JBT Scholarship
Outstanding Food Science Students at the U of I are recognized and awarded $2,000 each of the years in college. View Website
RAP Scholarship
The U of I Research Apprentice Program is designed to recruit promising high school students from diverse and under-represented backgrounds and place them in summer internships on campus . View Website
4-H Club Food Science
4-H provides kids with community, mentors, and learning opportunities to develop the skills they need to create positive change in their lives and communities. View Website
Celebrating High School Innovators
The competition identifies, fosters, and celebrates Illinois high school students whose contributions are exceptional and inspirational in health and nutrition. View Website
Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences
A college preparatory high school that provides opportunities for diverse students from across the city to study agriculture with the goal of developing marketable skills as well as college level competencies. View Website
Expanding Your Horizons
A one day symposium for middle school girls to engage in exciting and diverse experiences that science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) careers have to offer. View Website
Feeding Tomorrow Educator Program
Designed specifically for educators, this event is a workshop full of fun and valuable knowledge about the science of food. View Website
Sanjana Kumar – Freshman
Alaina Cox – Graduate
Sara Thomason – Undergraduate
Christine Lee – Undergraduate
Eric Fan – Undergraduate
Zylle Constantino – Undergraduate
Paige Chew – Undergraduate
Nathan Chen – Undergraduate
Yusra Ansari – Undergraduate
Sarah Batka – Undergraduate
Evelyn Rios – Freshman
Max Rallo – Freshman
Christopher Reusz – Graduate
Testimonials
Below are the testimonials from the 2024 Scholarship recipients.
Christopher Reusz – Graduate
Ph.D, Food, Bioprocessing, and Nutrition Sciences North Carolina State University“I owe my sincerest thanks and wholehearted appreciation to the Chicago section of IFT and the generous donors that make this scholarship a reality for us students.
Your support and belief in us as future food scientists is humbling and makes me proud to continue my research in the advancement of dairy flavor chemistry. Your willingness to selflessly support us with your vast knowledge and resources are what allow us to reach our highest potential in the work we do.
Thank you again for your guidance and generosity as we continue to forge the future of food science.”
Alaina Cox – Graduate
M.S., Food Science & Human Nutrition University of IL“I am grateful for this scholarship, for it will help me continue my research in the identification of novel flavor compounds in honey.”
Sara Thomason – Undergraduate
Food Science / Fermentation Science Sr., Purdue University“I am honored to be a second-time CFSF scholarship recipient. This scholarship demonstrates the incredible support of my community and encourages me to go above and beyond to reach my goals.
Thank you to the Chicagoland Food Science Foundation for making this possible. I am excited to show you what I can do for the food industry.”
Christine Lee – Undergraduate
Food Science Sr., University of IL“I am sincerely grateful and honored to have been selected as a recipient of the 2024-25 CFSF Scholarship. This support is invaluable as I enter my senior year, enabling me to focus on my studies and advance in the food science industry.
With this opportunity, I’m eager to channel my curiosity into making meaningful contributions to the food industry. Once again, thank you to CSIFT committees and donors for your support”.
Eric Fan – Undergraduate
Food Science/Molecular and Cellular Biology Jr., University of IL“It’s an honor and privilege to be a recipient of the 2024-2025 Chicagoland Food Science Foundation Scholarship. Knowing that industry professionals are investing and supporting my future is a real motivating force for me to make my dreams of starting my own food tech company into a reality”.
Zylle Constantino – Undergraduate
Chemical Engineering Jr., University of IL“The CFSF Scholarship both encourages and allows me to further pursue my endeavors in food sciences as a chemical engineer to think of new and innovative ways to food processes and development.
The opportunities that I have been able to experience in food sciences, from doing research with cacao beans and being able to work in industry for a food company is only the beginning of my journey.
I’d like to thank those who have supported my efforts and interests in food sciences, as well as the CFSF leadership for awarding me the scholarship!”
Paige Chew – Undergraduate
Food Science & Human Nutrition Jr., University of IL“Receiving the CFSF Scholarship supports my exploration of food, flavors, and science! I am honored and thankful for this opportunity as I explore food science professions throughout the Midwest.”
Nathan Chen – Undergraduate
Food Science & Human Nutrition Sr., University of IL“I am absolutely honored to have received the CFSF Scholarship and I cannot thank CSIFT and their sponsors enough. During my time as an undergraduate, I’ve learned so much, and, despite my financial hardships, I’ve continued to pursue the career the food industry through compassion and ambition.
Being able to pay off my college funds while also exploring the food world to the fullest has been one of my biggest dreams. With this, I plan to wrap up my final year in Food Science and end it with a high note!”
Yusra Ansari – Undergraduate
Food Science & Human Nutrition Jr., University of IL“Thank you to the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee for selecting me for the CFSF award. I’m truly grateful for the support and recognition.
Not only does the scholarship provide me with financial support, but it also represents a vote of confidence in my potential to contribute meaningfully to the future of food science and technology. Winning this scholarship is an honor and a source of inspiration for me to pursue my academic and career goals in food science with even greater determination and enthusiasm.
I look forward to the opportunity to grow my network of support within the Chicagoland food science community and with leaders in the field.”
Sarah Batka – Undergraduate
Food Science & Human Nutrition Sr., University of IL“I am deeply honored to have been awarded the CFSF scholarship, generously provided by a foundation committed to fostering growth for the next generation of food scientists.
This scholarship provides an invaluable opportunity for me to further immerse myself in my passion for food science at UIUC. I am thrilled to complete the last year of my academic journey, the graduating class of 2025, with a food science degree.
I am grateful for CFSF and their support throughout my studies–their investment in my education has equipped me with the skillsets necessary to become a well-versed future professional in the food industry.”
Evelyn Rios – Freshman
York High School“The CFSF Scholarship means the world to me because I know that I am able to pursue my dreams without the worry of cost! Thank you!”
Kendall College / National Louis University
Baking & Pastry Arts
Max Rallo – Freshman
York High School“Thank you so much for picking me as a recipient of the scholarship. This scholarship means so much to me because it will help me follow my dream of attending a prestigious school for culinary arts. It will help lessen the amount of debt I will have in the future from culinary school. I believe that for my path, culinary school is very important because of not only the technical skills I will learn, but the connections I will make along the way.”
Johnson & Wales University
Baking and Pastry Arts
Sanjana Kumar – Freshman
Walter Payton College Preparatory School“By alleviating some of the financial burden of higher education, the CFSF scholarship will prepare me for a college education as I embark on a career in food science. I am extremely grateful for this award, and I know it will equip me for my future goal of creating more sustainable food systems, bettering the environment and my community in the process.”
Stanford University,
Engineering or Humanities/Sciences Department
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317,500
Scholarships Provided
67
scholarship recipients
820,000
Donations
9
students mentored
33
Individual and Corporate Donors
2500
students reached
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