Issue 9 I June 3, 2025

Suzanne Mutz-Darwell

Chair, New York IFT

Retired, Firmenich

Debbie Levine

Chair, Central New Jersey Subsection IFT

Ingredion, Inc.

Gold Sponsor

Silver Sponsors

Bronze / Corporate Sponsors

WiFi Sponsor

Bag Sponsor

Social Hour Sponsors

More than 800 food professionals had the opportunity to learn about Sustainability, From Farm to Fork, from multiple food industry speakers. They enjoyed a light breakfast and lunch while staying up to date on the latest developments in sustainability.

We appreciate the support shown by our sponsors and the exhibitors who displayed their latest product offerings.

Michael Klass – Suppliers' Day Co-Chair

As the spring semester comes to a close, we reflect on an academic year filled with growth, connection, and renewed purpose. It has been a celebration of the Rutgers Food Science community—showcasing our strengths, embracing collaboration, and advancing our shared mission in alignment with the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) and the IFT Student Association (IFTSA).

One of the major highlights was Rutgers hosting the 2025 IFTSA North Atlantic Regional College Bowl Competition on March 29th. After four exciting rounds, Cornell University won as regional champions and will represent us at the IFT FIRST finals. We’re also incredibly proud of our own Rutgers team, who, as first-time participants, fought hard and took second place. UMass-Amherst followed closely with third place. A heartfelt thank-you goes to GSA President Trina Baptista for organizing the event and to IFTSA President Viral Shukla for keeping the competition on track. Special recognition goes to our moderator Spencer Sullivan and judges Carol BoNey, Jordan Allen, and Suzanne Mutz-Darwell for ensuring a successful, fair, and fun experience.

The event wouldn’t have been possible without our generous sponsors: PepsiCo, Ingredion Incorporated, NYIFT, Dr. Don Schaffner’s podcast “Risky or Not,” Allen Flavors, and Mondelēz International. We were also grateful to host USpharma Ltd., Thermo Fisher Scientific, and Rutgers Career Exploration and Success for our career session which followed the College Bowl. Beyond trivia, the College Bowl weekend gave students a chance to build cross-university friendships, connect with industry professionals, and see firsthand the community that supports our future.

In April, our VISIBLE series ended with two powerful events. We had an engaging discussion on navigating the job market as an international scientist with Andrew Clarke (Senior Scientist at Loblaw), and a meaningful presentation on IFT Resource Groups led by Nina Steele. These sessions, made possible by the Rutgers ScarletWell Grant, created a space for mentorship, DEI awareness, and wellness support.

Meanwhile, the Undergraduate Food Science Club marked its 70th anniversary with a joint celebration with the Cheese Club. With live music, food trucks, and over 300 students in attendance, it was not just a party—it was a statement about the strength and future of our food science community. The club also produced over 2,000 servings of ice cream for Rutgers Day, and their new flavor—strawberry cheesecake—was an instant hit, selling out in record time! The cereals, generously donated by Mr. Chuck Marble, President – Granola Division, BetterBody Foods, were an unconventional but popular topping.

Thank you to everyone—students, faculty, alumni, and partners—who contributed their time, ideas, and energy this past year. Wishing everyone a great summer and continued success!

Chenge (Charley) Wang – Graduate Student Representative from Rutgers University

Chenge (Charley) Wang, from the Food Science Department at Rutgers University was elected as a Member at Large of the IFT Student Association for 2025-2026

Ms. Wang is a Ph.D. candidate in the Department specializing in lipid oxidation and oil quality. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Food Science and Nutritional Sciences from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2020, where she received multiple awards in IFTSA (IFT Student Association) competitions including the IFTSA & Mars Product Development Competition.

Currently, she serves as the Graduate Student Representative to the New York Section and leads the Rutgers IFTSA Chapter, contributing to team building, event coordination, and community engagement. She wrote “My time as the student representative for NYIFT has helped me develop my leadership and networking skills.” We thank her for her contributions to the Section this year and congratulate her on her election to the IFTSA Board of Directors.

Thank you to all NYIFT and CNJIFT members who served anonymously as Jury Members during the selection of IFT Achievement and Fellow recipients.

NYIFT congratulates Dr. Purnendu C. Vasavada who is a Professor Emeritus from the University of Wisconsin – River Falls, as the recipient of the 2025 IFT Achievement Award for Service to the Science of Food in memory of Dr. Elizabeth Fleming Stier. Dr. Stier was a stalwart supporter of the NYIFT section during her career in the Food Science Department at Rutgers University. NYIFT provides the funding for this Achievement Award in her memory.

McCormick Place, Chicago, IL. Registration is now open.

The call for new Officers has been answered and CNJIFT is pleased to announce the officers for the 2025 / 2026 year who will be stepping into their new positions on September 1, 2025.

April and May New Member Welcome

Thank you for supporting NYIFT & CNJIFT. Your contributions help fund the NYIFT Scholarships and Awards Program. A star (*) indicates a new Corporate Sponsor for 2025 (as of 5/30/25).

• ABRAZIL LLC
• Accurate Ingredients / Ingredient Resources
• Berje
• Beverage Hill Int'l, Inc.
• Brad-Pak Enterprises, Inc.

• CAPUA 1880
• Dempsey Food
• Domino Foods / ASR Group
• Ecuadorian Rainforest, LLC
• Eurovanille*
• Gold Coast Ingredients

• Hunter, Walton & Co., Inc
• IFPC
• Microthermics, Inc.
• OSF Flavors
• Siemer Specialty Ingredients
• Wego Chemical Group

We invite your organization to support NYIFT/CNJIFT through Corporate Sponsorship. Your support will benefit both the organization and the Food Industry. In turn, your company will benefit from the association in these ways:

• A full list of Suppliers Day attendees will be provided detailing names, companies and contact information
• Complimentary employment listing posted both on our website and in our e-newsletter (standard cost is $200 per ad per month)
• Your company will be listed and highlighted as a Corporate Sponsor on our website and in each issue of our e-newsletter.
• A Sponsorship Certificate will be sent to you via email for use at your discretion

The current annual cost for Corporate Sponsorship is $350; however, Corporate Sponsors who are also Suppliers' Day participants will pay the normal fee for a booth and a reduced Corporate Sponsorship cost of $250. In addition, Corporate Sponsors will have their logos included on the online Expo floor plan.

We use Corporate Sponsorship funds to support student scholarships and other NYIFT/CNJIFT programming.

The Corporate Sponsorship year runs January 1 through December 31 – so now is a great time to become or renew as a NYIFT Corporate Sponsor.

For more information, please reach out to Katy Taylor, our Section Administrator at NYIFToffice@NYIFT.org.

The next newsletter you will be getting from us will be dated August 5, 2025.

In the interim, a group of NYIFT and CNJIFT members will be working hard to develop the calendar for the 2025/2026 NYIFT and CNJIFT program year.

Please send us your thoughts on how the newsletter can be improved. We can be contacted via e-mail at NYIFToffice@NYIFT.org.

Debbie Brody                           Leslie Herzog

IFF                                The Understanding & Insight Group

Contact Us! Please note, to contact the NYIFT Office or any officer the e-mail address is: NYIFToffice@NYIFT.org

Article Submissions: If you have any articles that you would like considered for publication in future issues of NIFTY News please send them to:  NYIFToffice@NYIFT.org and put Article for Submission to the NIFTY News in the subject line.