IFST introduce tomorrow’s innovators to the food sector

The Institute of Food Science and Technology (IFST) and Heinz will be introducing young people to the future of food by sponsoring the TeenTech ‘Future of Food’ award in 2013.

TeenTech, headed by former Tomorrow’s World presenter Maggie Philbin, was founded in 2008 to engage UK Secondary school students with STEM subjects and inspire them with the opportunities open to them by continuing with study in science, engineering, technology and mathematics.

The newly introduced TeenTech awards cover ten categories within STEM and challenge students to look at problems large and small and come up with a better way of doing things. Students work in teams of up to three to develop an idea in their chosen category, with support from the sponsoring organisations which also include Airbus and Google. The overall winning team will win a cash prize for their school, which will be presented at Buckingham Palace by the charity’s patron, The Duke of York.

IFST is excited to be providing support to teams from 34 secondary schools who have entered the ‘Future of Food’ category. Students entering the category will considering questions such as ‘What are some ways to grow food in cities where there is little land’ and ‘ How can we use technology to make sure that all the food we eat at home is safe?’

Students will be taking a first step into seeing the real world benefits that food technology can make. IFST hopes this will encourage more young people into the food industry.

IFST Chief Executive Jon Poole says “As an Institute we see it as vital that we look at ways of stimulating the minds of students to consider the science and technology behind our food.

The TeenTech awards seems a great way to achieve this and we look forward to working with Heinz to support the teams who have chosen to focus on the ‘Future of Food’ for their projects.”

http://www.teentechevent.com/teentech-awards-2013/future-of-food/