Eligible students can now apply for the 2025 New Jersey Food Council Scholarship Program, which is offering 31 scholarships totaling $97,500.
This year, the council is offering three new awards, including a new $2,500 Bill Sumas Emerging Leader Scholarship is being introduced to honor the longest serving NJFC Chair, Bill Sumas of Village ShopRite, who lost his battle with cancer last summer.
Shamrock Foods also is offering two new scholarships at $2,500 each: The Rockin’ Protein Never Settle Scholarship and the Shamrock Farms Fresh Futures Scholarship.
“Empowering the future starts with education,” NJFC CEO Linda Doherty said. “With the addition of these new scholarships, we are expanding opportunities to empower our workforce.
“In 2025, the New Jersey Food Council is proud to continue awarding scholarships to students, employees, and families of NJFC member companies. This initiative stands as a powerful testament to our unwavering commitment to nurturing talent, supporting NJFC families and investing in the future of the NJ food industry.”
Each scholarship has different requirements. NJFC members and their families can now apply for the scholarships here. All applications are due no later than April 18.
Selection committees evaluate applications based on applicant’s grades, written essay, letter of recommendation and financial need. Since its inception 15 years ago, 242 students received scholarships totaling $752,500 and this year that number will increase to 273 students for a total of $850,000.
This year’s scholarships are as follows:
- NJFC President’s Scholarship – $5,000
- NJFC Founders Scholarship – $5,000
- NJFC Student Scholarship – $5,000
- NJFC Thomas Infusino Scholarship – $5,000
- NJFC Scholarships – (3 Scholarships @ $2,500 each)
- NJFC Bill Sumas Emerging Leader Scholarship – $2,500
- Acme Markets/Kings Food Markets Scholarship – Acme Markets/Kings Food Markets Employees and Family Members – (3 Scholarships @ $2,500 each)
- Cuellar Family ShopRites Scholarship – Cuellar Employees and Family Members – $2,500
- Abe Glass Memorial Scholarship – Team Member Employed at Glass Gardens – $5,000
- Ben Glass Memorial Scholarship – Team Member Employed at Glass Gardens – $5,000
- Glass Gardens ShopRites – Team Member Employed at Glass Gardens – (4 Scholarships @ $2,500 each)
- Lawrence R. Inserra Memorial Scholarship – Inserra Supermarket Employees and Family Members – (1 Scholarship @ $5,000, 2 Scholarships @ $2,500 each)
- Ronald S. and Kathleen Murphy Scholarship – Murphy’s Fresh Markets Employees and Family Members or High School Seniors at Cherokee, Lenape, Seneca or Shawnee High Schools or Students from Burlington County Institute of Technology – $2,500
- Robert Powell Memorial Scholarship – Allegiance Employees and Family Members – $5,000
- QuickChek Corporation Scholarship – QuickChek Corporation Employees and Family Members – $2,500
- Rockin’ Protein Never Settle Scholarship – Supermarket Retail Partners Employees or Family Members – $2,500
- Shamrock Farms Fresh Futures Scholarship – Supermarket Retail Partners Employees or Family Members – $2,500
- Wawa Education Scholarship – Wawa Employees and Family Members – $2,500
- Whole Foods Market Scholarships – Whole Foods Market Team Members – (4 Scholarships @ $2,500 each)