Chicago Section IFT

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Chicago Section IFT Food Science and Technology

The Chicago Section of the IFT
The Chicago Section of the IFT is the largest regional section, currently boasting over 1600 active members. Section activities designed to broaden professional skills and to enrich relations in the food industry include:

• Regular technical meetings, usually monthly, on a broad spectrum of food technology topics
• Local educational courses, career guidance programs, and employment services
• Opportunities for personal and professional development through participation in committee work
and as officers
• Career guidance/student affairs
• Annual Golf Outing
• Annual Chicago IFT Supplier's Night, the largest regional Suppliers’ Night in North America
• Annual Fred W. Tanner Lectureship Award and Meeting
• Food Industry Scholarships and awards
• Publication of “Food Bytes”, a monthly newsletter containing information on upcoming activities,
meetings and speakers, Executive Committee Minutes, and industry employment information
which can be read, printed, or downloaded from the Members section of this website
• Publication of the Chicago Section IFT Membership Directory updated on a monthly basis and
available in the Members section of the website
• The Institute of Food Technologists' employment referral service helps members to research and
secure positions within the industry. The service activities include:
- Maintenance of a resume bank for inspection by employers and a "Positions Available" listing
for members' inspection
- Listings of national positions from IFT Headquarters for inspection by members.

Last Thursday we packed City Works for the second New Connections event of the 2026–27 season, and it was a blast. Food ...
10/14/2026

Last Thursday we packed City Works for the second New Connections event of the 2026–27 season, and it was a blast. Food scientists, R&D folks, recruiters, suppliers and friends traded lab talk for strategy, bluffing, and a little friendly trash talk. Some of the best networking happens when the competition gets hot!

The night kicked off with food, drinks and introductions before everyone broke into tables. Every attendee got a raffle ticket at the door and earned more for every game they won, so there was something on the line at every table without anyone taking it too seriously. It was a great mix of longtime members and first-timers, and plenty of conversations kept going after the last round.

A huge thank you to Actalent for sponsoring and hosting. Your team made the night easy and fun, and it’s exactly the kind of event that brings new faces into the CSIFT community. Special thanks to Staci Roberts for all the help organizing, and to Kelli Barth for providing the games and for (patiently) teaching everyone how to play.

And congratulations to Kerri Hamilton from Mars on winning the raffle!

Photos from the night are posted with our event pictures, so take a look and tag yourself.

What’s next
We’re lining up a hands-on dumpling cooking class for January and a facility tour and networking event in February. Details and registration links are coming soon, so keep an eye on your inbox.

If you enjoy these events and want a hand in planning them, the New Connections Committee is always looking for volunteers. Reach out to me directly. We meet monthly and would love to have you.

Thanks to everyone who came out. If you haven’t been to a New Connections event yet, come join us.

Booths Selling Fast! Get your booth at the largest regional suppliers' expo at Chicago Section IFT on November 4, 2026 ...
10/09/2026

Booths Selling Fast! Get your booth at the largest regional suppliers' expo at Chicago Section IFT on November 4, 2026 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, IL. Register Today! https://conta.cc/47492nH

Food science is always evolving — and the conversations shaping what comes next are happening at the 2026 Suppliers’ Sym...
10/08/2026

Food science is always evolving — and the conversations shaping what comes next are happening at the 2026 Suppliers’ Symposium.

Join Chicago Section IFT for Food Science in Motion: Trends That Matter, a morning focused on emerging trends, industry insights, and the ideas influencing the future of food science and technology.

📅 Wednesday, November 4, 2026
⏰ 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM
📍 Donald E. Stephens Convention Center | Rosemont, IL

Connect with fellow professionals, hear fresh perspectives, and be part of the conversations that matter to our industry.

Learn more at ChicagoIFT.org

October is going to be a busy month for CFSF Outreach, and we’d love to have more food science and food & beverage profe...
10/07/2026

October is going to be a busy month for CFSF Outreach, and we’d love to have more food science and food & beverage professionals join us in the community. 💚

Through these events, the Chicagoland Food Science Foundation helps students discover the science behind food, learn about careers they may have never considered, and connect with professionals who can show them what working in our industry actually looks like. Volunteers help with hands-on activities, conversations, and career exploration—and CFSF provides the materials and instructions needed to participate.

Here’s where we’ll be in October:
Oct. 8 | 9:00 AM–12:30 PM — Vernon Hills Daring Career Day, Vernon Hills High School
Oct. 8 | 9:00 AM–12:30 PM — Libertyville Daring Career Day, Libertyville High School
Oct. 10 | 9:30 AM–2:30 PM — Science Works, Griffin Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago
Oct. 16 | 8:00 AM–2:30 PM — Naperville Career Motive – 8, Naperville Yard
Oct. 20 | 7:30 AM–3:00 PM — Navig8Lake, Grayslake Fair Grounds
Oct. 21 | 10:00 AM–2:30 PM — Barrington High School Career Expo

Some volunteer opportunities are already filling up, so if you’ve been looking for a meaningful way to give back to the next generation of food and beverage professionals, this is a great place to start.

Sign up to volunteer and learn more:
https://chicagofoodscience.org/outreach-events/

A few hours of your time can introduce a student to an entire career they may not have known existed.

Looking for an easy way to connect with other food industry professionals?Join us for CSIFT Midday Mingle, a casual virt...
10/06/2026

Looking for an easy way to connect with other food industry professionals?

Join us for CSIFT Midday Mingle, a casual virtual meetup where members and nonmembers can connect, share ideas, and talk all things food science.

No presentations, no pitches — just good conversation.

Upcoming dates:

Cozy Comfort/Soups
Thursday, October 8 @ 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm

Register here:
https://www.chicagoift.org/event/nc-midday-mingle/

🎲 Networking doesn’t always have to happen in a conference room!Join Chicago Section IFT and Actalent for CSIFT x Actale...
10/06/2026

🎲 Networking doesn’t always have to happen in a conference room!

Join Chicago Section IFT and Actalent for CSIFT x Actalent Game Night — a casual evening designed to bring food science and CPG professionals together over board games, good food, drinks, and great conversation.

📅 Thursday, October 8 | 5:00–8:00 PM
📍 City Works Eatery & Pour House — Schaumburg, IL
🎟️ $15 Members | $20 Non-Members
🍴 Food + 2 complimentary drink tickets included, courtesy of Actalent

No formal program. No presentations. Just an opportunity to unwind, meet new people, reconnect with industry friends, and have some fun.

Ready to play? Save your spot!
Register for CSIFT x Actalent Game Night
https://www.chicagoift.org/event/2026-10-08-csift-x-actalent-game-night/

Address

Lombard, IL
60148

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+16309164960

Website

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