Food Science and Food Safety Club Hosts Regional Meeting and College Bowl

The NDSU Food Science and Food Safety (FSFS) Club hosted the 2021 North Central Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) Student Association (NC-IFTSA) Area Meeting and College Bowl virtually on April 9-10, 2021. The meeting was chaired by NDSU M.S. cereal science student Brandon Olson. Food science undergraduate and graduate students from NDSU, the University of Wisconsin-Madison (UWM), and Iowa State University (ISU) participated in events via the Zoom platform. The FSFS Club is advised by Dr. Anuradha Vegi, assistant professor of practice in the Department of Plant Sciences. 

NDSU alumna Dr. Chantal Nde, principal scientist at Frito-Lay, PepsiCo, Texas, presented a talk on “Food Safety Career Progression” at the meeting. “It was inspirational and students had a chance to ask her questions related to food science and food safety careers,” said Vegi.

The Food Science College Bowl was the meeting’s key event, in which students tested their knowledge in food science and technology, the history of foods and food processing, food law, and general IFT and food-related trivia. NDSU students who participated in the College Bowl were Jayani Maddakandage Dona, Anna Mahoney, Claire Moffet, Abrielle Schnurr, Allison Stoner, and Jacob Thomsen. After a nail-biting final round that went into double overtime, the NDSU team took second place in the North Central Area College Bowl. The winners were students from UWM, who will represent the NC-IFTSA at the national IFT annual meeting to be held on July 19-21, 2021. 

The main goals of the NDSU Food Science and Food Safety Club are to lead undergraduate and graduate students by fostering a close relationship among the food industry and students and faculty; encourage leadership, promote school activities and foster interest in cereal and food sciences, food safety and food technology professions; and get involved in the community.

“The FSFS Club has been true to its goals and values, and this year’s second place win by NDSU FSFS students at the NC-IFTSA is just a start to the bright future ahead!” said Vegi.

To learn more about the NDSU Food Science and Food Safety Club and its activities, contact Dr. Anuradha Vegi (701-231-6240, anuradha.vegi@ndus.edu).

Learn more about the Institute of Food Technologists Student Association College Bowl.