GFIA_Vol24No1.indd

EDUCATION FOUNDATION OVER $242,000 IN SCHOLARSHIPS OFFERED TO DESERVING STUDENTS! The GFIA Scholarship Program … Another Great GFIA Membership Benefit!

The GFIA Education Foundation opened 2024 with another record setting number of scholarships available to GFIA members – 167 scholarships worth $242,250 were funded for the 2024-25 program! Since 1996, the Georgia Food Industry Education Foundation (GFIEF) has provided over $2.3 million in scholarships to deserving students in our industry. Awards are provided directly to students employed, or whose parents are employed, by GFIA members.

The 2024 application window has closed but will reopen January 1, 2025. This year, 254 completed applications have been judged, and winners will be announced later this month. Applications represent ALL categories of GFIA members. The scholarship program is a great employee benefit! This year, Ole Mexican Foods joined our Piggyback program to offer $50,500 of awards to their employees, and Nam Dae Mun doubled the number of awards offered to their associates. If you are interested in creating a program for your employees, give us a call! The Foundation provides all the administration for your program FREE as a member benefit. All you do is fund the awards. WHO APPLIED FROM YOUR COMPANY? Customized lists of applicants are available to all members during the application period. Many companies use the list to follow up with applicants to ensure completed applications. Email Nancy McPherson for a list of all complete and incomplete applications associated with your company this year. We will help you promote the program and increase participation for next year. You Make It Possible! Thank you to all the GFIA members who support the Foundation through fundraisers such as the spring golf tournament, silent auction, wine pull and raffles. Each of you make these awards possible! Together, we are directly impacting the lives of students associated with the food industry.

16

“The Voice of the Food Industry in Georgia”