Recently, the New Jersey Food Council (NJFC) hosted a special event to honor 2017 scholarship recipients from the Educational Development Scholarship Foundation at Forsgate Country Club, Monroe. The recipients and their families were joined by members of the Board of Directors as well as sponsors of the individual scholarships.
VIEW ALL PHOTOS FROM THE EVENT HERE
Since the inception of the Scholarship Program in 2011, the three NJFC scholarships have grown from $2,000 to $5,000 each and now the Foundation manages an additional 17 member supported scholarships. In all, 20 scholarships will be awarded this year totaling $67,000.
“We are proud of how significantly our scholarship program has expanded over the last few years,” said NJFC President & CEO Linda Doherty. “When we created this small scholarship program in 2011 to help grow the future of our industry and to benefit our members and their families, we had no idea that it would grow so quickly. The incredible support of our members and the opportunity to make such as significant impact on the lives of our associates and their families makes this one of the most rewarding programs we offer.”
Doherty added, “NJFC received 124 applications for consideration. The Selection Committee was overwhelmingly impressed with the number and quality of applications. Our scholarship winners and all applicants are a shining example of the youth of today and their goals to succeed in today’s competitive business climate.”
The following scholarships were awarded this year by NJFC:
- NJFC Founders Scholarship Award – An award of $5,000 to an employee in a food related member business or future industry leader.
Recipient: Erich Ballard, Wegmans Food Markets, TCNJ (Junior)
- 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: Dana Schmeltzle, QuickChek Corporation, North Carolina State University (Sophomore)
- NJFC Thomas Infusino Scholarship Award – An award of $5,000 to one employee in a retail member business.
Recipient: Ruth Fiore, Stop & Shop Supermarkets, NJIT (Freshman)
Member Scholarships:
- Acme Food Markets Scholarship – An award of $2,500 to an employee or family member employed at Acme Food Markets.
Recipient: Victoria Blankenbiller, Acme Markets, Mercer County Community College (Freshman)
- 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: Andrew Easterwood, CBA Industries, Georgia Southern University (Senior)
- 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: Kacie Meyer, Perlmutter ShopRite, Fairleigh Dickinson University (Freshman)
- Cuellar Family ShopRites Scholarship – An award of $2,500 to an employee or family member employed at Cuellar Family ShopRites.
Recipient: Manthan Gandhi, Cuellar Family ShopRites, NJIT (Junior)
- Lawrence R. Inserra Memorial Scholarship – An award of $5,000 to an employee or family member of Inserra Supermarkets.
Recipient: Ariana DiPietrantonio, Inserra Supermarkets, Undecided (Freshman)
- QuickChek Corporation Scholarship – An award of $2,000 to an employee or family member employed at QuickChek Corporation.
Recipient: Yasmine Elasmar, QuickChek Corporation, Undecided (Freshman)
- Grace Scaduto Memorial Scholarship – An award of $2,000 to a student chosen by the Scaduto family.
Recipient: Ruth Fiore, Stop & Shop Supermarkets, NJIT (Freshman)
- Spires Family Scholarship – An award of $2,500 to a Kings associate or family member chosen by the Spires family.
Recipient: Michael Napolitano, Kings Food Markets, Northeastern University (Junior)
- Spires Family Scholarship – An award of $2,500 to a Kings associate or family member chosen by the Spires family.
Recipient: Molly Tompson, Kings Food Markets, Penn State University (Sophomore)
- Perry Sumas Memorial Scholarship – An award of $5,000 to a student chosen by the Sumas family.
Recipient: Kacie Meyer, Perlmutter ShopRite, Fairleigh Dickinson University (Freshman)
- Wawa Education Scholarship – An award of $5,000 to an employee or family member employed at Wawa.
Recipient: Eun Kyung Jeon, Wawa, Northeastern University (Freshman)
- Whole Foods Market Scholarship – An award of $2,000 to a team member employed by Whole Foods Market.
Recipient: Addrisa Ankrah, Whole Foods Market, Montclair State University (Senior)
- Whole Foods Market Scholarship – An award of $2,000 to a team member employed by Whole Foods Market.
Recipient: Allyssa Farino, Whole Foods Market, Hunter College (Junior)
- Whole Foods Market Scholarship – An award of $2,000 to a team member employed by Whole Foods Market.
Recipient: Melissa Gonzalez, Whole Foods Market, Laguardia CUNY (Freshman)
- Whole Foods Market Scholarship – An award of $2,000 to a team member employed by Whole Foods Market.
Recipient: Ruth Gadsden, Whole Foods Market, CUNY-City College (Sophomore)
- Whole Foods Market Scholarship – An award of $2,000 to a team member employed by Whole Foods Market.
Recipient: Lorraine Martinez, Whole Foods Market, William Paterson University (Junior)