CHICAGO – May 28, 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 IFTSA Smart Snacks for Kids Product Development Competition, which challenges students to develop a fun and nutritious food or beverage product targeted at kids and/or teens. All products must abide by the USDA “Guide to Smart Snacks in School” recommendations, which aims to offer kids foods and beverages with more whole grains, fruits and vegetables, leaner protein, and low-fat dairy while limiting foods with too much sugar, fat, and salt.
Six teams were selected as finalists, earning partial travel and registration to IFT FIRST: Annual Event and Expo, the popular food science, technology, and innovation showcase being held July 14-17, 2024, at McCormick Place in Chicago. At IFT FIRST, each team will make its respective pitch to an expert panel. Judges will weigh nutritional value, product safety and quality, and the ability to scale for commercialization. Winners will be announced at the IFTSA Closing Ceremony on Tuesday, July 16. First place receives $3,000, second place receives $1,500, and third place receives $500.
“Creating nutritious and healthy snacks for kids that are also aesthetically pleasing and tasty requires science and innovation, and these food science teams competing in the finals of the Smart Snacks for Kids Product Development Competition are truly an inspiration with their ingenuity,” said Christina Ginardi, Director of Academic Engagement at IFT.
Last year, a team from McGill University won for its Hungry Monster chocolate-flavored tart that kids can build by themselves by filling the tarts and decorating them into hungry monsters using fun decorations. Canada-based McGill is back in the finals, joining teams from Mexico, the United States, and Thailand.
FINALISTS
Magic Mud Pot – McGill University (Montreal, Quebec, Canada)
Magic Mud Pots are a delightful, health-conscious, and engaging alternative to traditional chocolate pudding. Designed to captivate children and satisfy the requirements of parents and schools alike, these gluten-free and nut-free treats offer a decadent cup of chocolate black bean pudding crowned with a lid split into two compartments – one containing vegetable-shaped gummies and the other containing chocolate quinoa crumble.
Yabramm Hand Pies – University of Idaho (Moscow, Idaho)
Yabran hand pies are a significant source of fiber and vegetables, making them a sweet treat that parents and kids can agree on.
FIAYA – Wolffia Soya High Protein Mochi Ice Cream – Kasetsart University (Bangkok, Thailand)
FIAYA is a high protein mochi ice cream tailored to meet the nutritional needs of growing children. Packed with calcium-fortified soy milk, nutrient-rich duckweed, and soy protein isolate, FIAYA delivers a delicious blend of essential vitamins and minerals essential for kids to stay healthy.
Tepache Tornado – University of California, Davis (Davis, California)
Tepeche Tornado is a delicious and nutritious beverage that is unlike any of its competitors in the market that will be the first-ever science expert for some children.
Gualatic and T-Rex Crunch – Instituto Tecnològico de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey, Campus Querètaro (Querètaro, Mexico)
Gualatic is an avocado sweet dip and chips with chia. Meanwhile, T-Rex Crunch is a sweet potato-based crunchy snack designed to contribute to children’s frontal lobes development, which are responsible for executing cognitive activities. With its carefully selected ingredients, each serving is intended to help on the growth of the little ones.
To register for IFT FIRST, go to https://www.iftevent.org/attend/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 membershipinfo@ift.org.
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 100 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.
