Did you know there are several scholarships for food lovers just like you?
Food-related careers have tremendous earning potential. However, it’s not just the money that has contributed to the popularity of this career field. The versatility of this field has its own appeal. Food lovers can choose to pursue a food-related career in just about any type of eatery, from a standalone specialty restaurant to a fine-dining restaurant in a five-star hotel.
Food-related careers are not just related to restaurants, however. You can find plenty of employment opportunities in the food science, dairy, meat, seafood, and agriculture industries, the hospitality industry, and of course, nurturing future food lovers as a teacher.
So if this is the industry for you, check out these very generous scholarships for food lovers. Remember, you can apply to all that you qualify for, so go ahead and start shortlisting.
12 Scholarships for Food Lovers
1. ASPARAGUS CLUB SCHOLARSHIP
Amount: Varies
Deadline: Applications will open in January of 2024
The Asparagus Club awards scholarships every year to food lovers attending full-time programs in food management, business, or any other related course of study that qualifies them for employment in the independent retail grocery industry. Thus, the organization awards winners of each scholarship $2,000 per semester for 4 consecutive semesters. However, they must retain their full-time student status.
The scholarships funded by the Asparagus Club include:
- Asparagus Club Scholarships: 5 awards annually
- Asparagus Club, Thomas K. Zaucha Scholarship: 1 award annually
- Peter and Jody Larkin Legacy Scholarship: 1 award
- Roger Collins Leadership Scholarship: 1 award
- Bob Richardson Legacy Scholarship: 1 award
- Charlie and Becky Bray Legacy Scholarship: 1 award
- Ronnie Horton Legacy Scholarship: 2 awards
- Kimberly-Clark Corporation Legacy Scholarship: 1 award
- Women Grocers of America (WGA) Mary Macey Scholarship(s): Number of awards vary
- Della Noce Family Industry Diversity Scholarship: Awarded annually to a female or a person of color to encourage greater diversity within our industry.
- ECOLAB Women in Grocery Scholarship: 1 award
- FMS Solutions Holdings, LLC Legacy Scholarship: 1 award. Gives preference to state or local law enforcement officers’ children
- Mondelēz International Legacy Scholarship
2. NATIONAL POTATO COUNCIL SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
Amount: $10,000
Deadline: Stay tuned for the opening of 2024 applications
The National Potato Council awards one $10,000 academic scholarship every year. The organization only considers graduate-level students conducting research that is beneficial to the potato for this award. They choose the winner based on multiple criteria including grades, academic and extracurricular achievements, potato-related areas of graduate study, and leadership skills.
Along with the completed scholarship application, you will need to submit the following:
- Official transcripts of your undergrad and graduate degree programs.
- A list of activities that demonstrate leadership qualities and participation in service activities.
- Names and contact details of 2 references who can validate your research and other activities.
- A 200-word essay highlighting how your goals qualify you for this award.
- A brief note specifying your graduate program and explaining how the U.S. potato industry will benefit from your research.
- While a recommendation letter is not a mandatory requirement, submitting one written by any of your references could help strengthen your application.
3. LOUISIANA RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION EDUCATION FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
Amount: Varies
Deadline: Stay tuned for the opening of 2024 applications
Established by the Louisiana Restaurant Association, this scholarship offers financial support to Louisiana students pursuing careers in the culinary or hospitality industries. This is a one-time, merit-based scholarship. The award amount also varies every year depending on the funds available.
All applications must have original official transcripts, three recommendation letters written by teachers or professionals in the culinary field, and as well as a 500-word essay on the topic provided.
The winner must also submit evidence of their full-time enrollment. Upon confirming their enrollment, the scholarship issues a check for the award amount directly to the school. Students may use the funds for tuition, books, fees, room, and board.
4. DAIRY MANAGEMENT, INC. SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
Amount: $2,500
Deadline: Stay tuned for the opening of 2024 applications
Dairy Management Inc. Scholarship Program, funded by the National Dairy Promotion and Research Board, awards up to 11 scholarships every year to eligible undergrad students.
To apply for this $2,500 scholarship you must be enrolled in a full-time program related to dairy, nutrition, food science, and related fields. The organization then selects winners based on their commitment to a career in a dairy-related field, academic performance demonstrated initiative and leadership skills, and participation in dairy-related extracurricular activities.
Your application must also be accompanied by an official transcript of all college courses, evidence of dairy-related activities, work experience, and a short essay highlighting your career goals.
5. AACT’S JOHN KITT MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
Amount: $2,500
Deadline: Stay tuned for the opening of 2024 applications
Do you love candy? Want to work with it? Well, you’re in luck! The American Association of Candy Technologists (AACT) offers the John Kitt Memorial Scholarship to college students who want to go into confectionary technology. This sweet scholarship awards a student $2,500. Interested students must currently major in food, chemical, or biological science, or in a related field. Additionally, students must have at least a 3.0 GPA at an accredited four-year college or university in North America and show demonstrated interest in confectionary technology!
6. FOOD SAFETY AUDITING SCHOLARSHIP
Amount: $3,000
Deadline: Stay tuned for the opening of 2024 applications
The FMI Foundation sponsors the Food Safety Auditing Scholarship. Every year, the FMI Foundation awards students dedicated to food safety who want to pursue a career in it. Undergraduate and graduate students who are enrolled in an accredited college or university in North America, Canada, or Mexico and who have completed at least two years of college with a minimum GPA of 3.2 may apply for this scholarship. Additionally, winners must attend the SQF International Conference and accept an internship, if available.
7. THE VEGETARIAN RESOURCE GROUP COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP
Amount: $10,000 (1); $5,000 (4)
Deadline: February 20, 2024
The Vegetarian Resource Group awards $30,000 every year to high school students who have spent a significant amount of time actively promoting vegetarianism in their communities or schools. Winners are selected based on extracurricular activities related to vegetarianism. However, preference is given to students with a demonstrated commitment to promoting a vegetarian lifestyle or diet as a way of achieving a more peaceful world.
Your essay must highlight your strengths, accomplishments, challenges, and future aspirations, how you have promoted vegetarianism till now, and how you intend to promote it in the future. You will also have to mention why you are vegetarian and why it is important to you.
Submitting any type of documentation such as a newspaper article, an article in your school newsletter or photographs related to your efforts at promoting vegetarianism will strengthen your application for this scholarship.
8. TACO BELL FOUNDATION | LIVE MÁS SCHOLARSHIP
Amount: Varies
Deadline: 5:00 pm PST on January 3, 2024
The Taco Bell Foundation is giving out $10 million in Live Más Scholarships. This scholarship is eligible for students aged 16-26. All you have to do is create a 2-minute or less video that answers three questions on their website. The questions dive into your passions, future plans, how you are helping the community, and what your education plan is.
You can win this scholarship up to four different times. So if you are awarded the Live Más Scholarship, keep it on your radar to keep applying each year!
9. BURGER KING FOUNDATION | BURGER KING SCHOLARS PROGRAM
Amount: $1,000 – $60,000
Deadline: December 15, 2023
The Burger King Scholars Program is eligible for high school students, with scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $60,000. Last year they were able to give out 3,200 scholarships totaling $3.4 million. The program was created in memory of James “Jim” W. McLamore, the co-founder of Burger King. For the selection process, things such as GPA, work experience, extracurricular activities, and community service are taken into account. Winners are selected in the United States, Puerto Rico, and Canada.
10. GOFOODSERVICE SCHOLARSHIP
Amount: $500
Deadline: June 15, 2024
The scholarship is for high school students and students currently enrolled in college who are looking to major in culinary arts or hospitality management. This simple application requires your information, college information, major, and a 500-word essay. In this easy application, they are looking for applicants to demonstrate your interest in culinary arts or hospitality. Dive into what inspired you and what you hope to achieve in the industry.
11. FOOD SHIPPERS OF AMERICA | JOHN J. MURPHY SCHOLARSHIP
Amount: $1,000 – $7,500
Deadline: December 31, 2023
Does your parent or guardian work in a food company? Then you may be eligible for this scholarship from the Food Shippers of America. Each year they give out six scholarship awards for first through sixth place winners, 1st $7,500, 2nd $5,000, 3rd $4,000, 4th $3,000, 5th $2,000, and 6th $1,000. In addition to $7,500, the top applicant is also invited to the Food Shippers of America annual conference where they will be presented their scholarship.
To be eligible for this scholarship, you must have a 3.25 GPA or higher during your junior and senior years in high school, and if you are currently enrolled in college courses, you must have maintained a 3.25 GPA as well. If you major or are majoring in Logistics or Supply Chain Management, this may give you a leg up; they mention additional consideration will be given if you are on either of these career paths.
If you don’t receive this scholarship this year, continue applying! You are allowed to reapply for this scholarship as long as you have not already received it.
12. MCDONALD’S HACER® NATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP
Amount: $5,000 – $100,000
Deadline: February 5, 2024
This scholarship opportunity for children of a Hispanic/Latino parent has three different tiers of award amounts, $100,000, $20,000, $10,000, and $5,000. McDonald’s goal is to help narrow the gap for Hispanic students pursuing college and to provide educational opportunities to foster the diverse community it serves.
No essay is required for this application and is eligible for high school students. On their website, there is a list of required documents needed to submit the application, two of which are a letter of recommendation and a list of community service projects. Winners will be selected based on community involvement, academic achievement, and other personal qualities.
To look for more scholarships, College Raptor is here to help! Check out our Scholarship Search to find you scholarships that may be the best fit for you!
| Lender | Rates (APR) | Eligibility | |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
6.97%-15.03%* Variable
5.99%-14.00%* Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT CITIZENS |
 |
6.37% - 16.70% Variable
4.50% - 15.49% Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT SALLIE MAE |
 |
4.98% - 16.70% Variable
4.07% - 15.66% Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT CREDIBLE |
 |
6.07% - 11.31% Variable
4.39% - 10.39% Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT LENDKEY |
|
|
6.22% - 16.08% Variable
4.09% - 15.66% Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT ASCENT |
 |
6.54% - 11.08% Variable
3.95% - 8.01% Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT ISL |
 |
5.62% - 18.26% Variable
4.11% - 15.90% Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT EARNEST |
 |
4.98% - 12.79% Variable
8.42% - 13.01% Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT ELFI |
