Recently, the New Jersey Food Council (NJFC) hosted a virtual reception and presentation to honor 2020 scholarship recipients from the Educational Development Scholarship Foundation. “This was a special ceremony to award our students with scholarships that will help further their dreams, goals and career aspirations,” said NJFC President & CEO Linda Doherty. “It has not been easy for students during the COVID-19 crisis, but the Zoom reception was our way of celebrating their achievement and recognition of their well-deserved efforts.” The winners and their families were joined by company sponsors of the individual scholarship awards and were delivered a box of goodies to enjoy during the presentations.
Since the inception of the Scholarship Program in 2011, the three NJFC scholarships have grown from $2,000 to $5,000 each and this year four additional NJFC scholarships of $2,500 each were added for a total of 7 NJFC scholarships totaling $25,000. The Foundation manages an additional 14 member supported scholarships. In all, 21 scholarships were awarded this year totaling $67,000.
“With the success of our 50th Anniversary Celebration last year, the NJFC Board of Directors reaffirmed its commitment to support our future young professionals and added 4 more scholarships to the Educational Foundation. Our scholarship program has grown over the last few years and the impact it has had on these students is impressive,” said NJFC President & CEO Linda Doherty. “The expanding scholarship program since 2011 is a rewarding benefit to our members and their families. The overwhelming support of our members and the opportunity to make such a meaningful contribution to the lives of these associates and their families makes this one of the most rewarding programs we offer.” She added, “We congratulate this year’s winners and their families on a job well done and encourage our recipients to pursue their careers with purpose, passion and pride.”
The following scholarships were awarded this year by NJFC:
Following are the Awards:
- NJFC Founders Scholarship Award – An award of $5,000 to an employee in a food related member business or future industry leader.
- Recipient: Daniel Tencza, QuickChek Corporation, St. Joseph’s University
- NJFC Student Award – An award of $5,000 to a graduating high school senior or college student who is a family member of a full-time employee, NJFC employee or part-time student employee.
- Recipient: Cassandra Mikkelson, QuickChek Corporation, Drexel University
- NJFC Thomas Infusino Scholarship Award – An award of $5,000 to one employee in a retail member business.
- Recipient: Julia Kennedy, Acme Markets, Stockton University
- NJFC Scholarship – An award of $2,500 to a graduating high school senior or college student who is working for a member company and who is pursuing food policy, government affairs or a food industry related career, or an NJFC employee.
- Recipient: Haley Fasano, Nicholas Markets, Marist College
- NJFC Scholarship – An award of $2,500 to a graduating high school senior or college student who is working for a member company and who is pursuing food policy, government affairs or a food industry related career, or an NJFC employee.
- Recipient: Luke Muhnicky, Wakefern Food Corporation, Stevens Institute of Technology
- NJFC Scholarship – An award of $2,500 to a graduating high school senior or college student who is working for a member company and who is pursuing food policy, government affairs or a food industry related career, or an NJFC employee.
- Recipient: James Vitkuske, Perlmutter ShopRite, Rutgers University
- NJFC Scholarship – An award of $2,500 to a graduating high school senior or college student who is working for a member company and who is pursuing food policy, government affairs or a food industry related career, or an NJFC employee.
- Recipient: Jacob Carter, Inserra Supermarkets, Rowan University
Member Scholarships:
- Acme Food Markets Scholarship – An award of $2,500 to an employee or family member employed at Acme Food Markets.
- Recipient: Cameron Burr, Acme Markets, Fairleigh Dickinson University
- CBA Industries Scholarship – An award of $2,500 to an employee or family member employed at CBA Industries or an NJFC Retail Food Market.
- Recipient: Ansley Easterwood, CBA Industries, University of Vermont
- CBA Industries Scholarship – An award of $2,500 to an employee or family member employed at CBA Industries or an NJFC Retail Food Market.
- Recipient: Makenna Milkovitz, Perlmart ShopRite, Rutgers University
- Lawrence R. Inserra Memorial Scholarship – An award of $5,000 to an employee or family member of Inserra Supermarkets.
- Recipient: Franklin Praschil, Inserra Supermarkets, St. Thomas Aquinas College
- QuickChek Corporation Scholarship – An award of $2,000 to an employee or family member employed at QuickChek Corporation.
- Recipient: Sara Kendall, QuickChek Corporation, Kean University
- Raymond J. Maniaci Scholarship – An award of $8,000 to a student of St. Joseph’s University who is a food marketing major.
- Recipient: Leah Ramge, Nicholas Markets, St. Joseph’s University
- Grace Scaduto Memorial Scholarship – An award of $2,000 to a student chosen by the Scaduto family.
- Recipient: Alyssa Harris, Food Circus Supermarkets, Adelphi University
- Wawa Education Scholarship – An award of $2,500 to an employee or family member employed at Wawa.
- Recipient: Elise Farrar, Wawa, Kutztown University of Pennsylvania
- Wawa Education Scholarship – An award of $2,500 to an employee or family member employed at Wawa.
- Recipient: Ashley Winfield, Wawa, Ocean County College
- Whole Foods Market Scholarship – An award of $2,500 to a team member employed by Whole Foods Market.
- Recipient: Boni Raymond Appe, Whole Foods Market, Essex County College
- Whole Foods Market Scholarship – An award of $2,500 to a team member employed by Whole Foods Market.
- Recipient: Zeinabou Bonsa, Whole Foods Market, Lehman College
- Whole Foods Market Scholarship – An award of $2,500 to a team member employed by Whole Foods Market.
- Recipient: Amanda Marino, Whole Foods Market, Montclair State University
- Whole Foods Market Scholarship – An award of $2,500 to a team member employed by Whole Foods Market.
- Recipient: Olivia Mitchell, Whole Foods Market, Kean University
The ceremony was broken into two sessions pictured below:
