A scholarship to support Black people pursuing careers in the food industry is currently accepting applications.
A Seat at the Table, a scholarship fund from Ben’s Original, is open to Black high school seniors and college students, as well as adults interested in certifications in the food industry.
In 2021, manufacturer Mars Foods launched the scholarship with Ben’s Original (formerly Uncle Ben’s rice products) in partnership with the National Urban League and the United Negro College Fund. The annual, need-based scholarship covers up to $25,000 of education-related expenses toward the completion of either a food science or culinary arts certificate, or an associate’s or bachelor’s degree. In addition to educational costs, scholarship recipients will participate in the National Urban League’s Project Ready, the organization’s college and life skills program.
In April, Bens’ Original opened the scholarship for a second year, marking the second of a five-year, $2 million commitment, according to a press release from the company.
The scholarship application, which is available on the National Urban League website, is open until June 30. Awards will be granted in the fall.
“We’re thrilled to offer the scholarship for the second year as we continue to work towards our overarching purpose to create opportunities that offer everyone a seat at the table,” said Mars Food North America President, Denis Yarotskiy, in a press release. “This year, we are hoping to award at least 20 students with scholarships to help them pursue their dreams of working in food-related industries.”
“Last year’s scholarship recipients are truly remarkable candidates and students,” said Marc H. Morial, National Urban League President and CEO, in the same release. “We encourage anyone who qualifies to apply for the U.S. SEAT AT THE TABLE™ Fund scholarship, as together with BEN’S ORIGINAL™, we want to positively affect the pathway to employment of Black people within the food industry.”
Last year, Alton Chambers IV, a Food Science major at Alabama A&M University,was one of the first recipients of the Seat at the Table scholarship.
Chambers graduated from Alabama A&M University in May and will pursue his master’s degree in food science with a concentration in product development and sensory evaluation in the fall.
Chambers recently started a summer internship with Kellogg’s, where he works with the MorningStar Farms and Incogmeato product teams.
While he has a number of career goals in the food industry, including pursuing his doctorate and working in the research and development department for different companies, one of Chambers’ passions is addressing food insecurity and health disparities.
“Later on down the road, I would love to start a business tailoring certain products to alleviate some of the symptoms of food desserts in communities where certain ingredients or certain nutrients are hard to find (and) make affordable products for those areas,” Chambers said in an interview with AL.com. “And after I have that down, my larger goal is to do some type of adjunct professor and teaching so that the knowledge that I’ve accumulated over my life doesn’t just stop with me. It goes forward.”
Chambers, who was a Gates Millennium Scholar, considered a number of schools and majors when he was applying to colleges, including political science, psychology, and environmental engineering.
“I stumbled upon food science as a major a little later into my college search,” said Chambers, who is originally from Mississippi. “And In my search, I found Alabama A&M that was boasting an almost 50 year-old program. I talked to some of the alumni and it seemed like a perfect fit. That’s how I ended up at Alabama A&M university.”
Chambers realized he had a “real knack” for food science and he says the curriculum at Alabama A&M catered to the needs of the students. Over the years, he’d work on a number of projects, including the food science development team that helped craft “Alma Mater,” Alabama A&M’s collaborative beer with Straight to Ale brewing in Huntsville.
Food science, says Chambers, gave him an opportunity to merge two passions.
“I’ve always had a love of food. I love cooking and baking,” said Chambers. “My mother can recant to you how many times I’ve left her kitchen really dirty as a child. And she kept me in a lot of science programs over the summer, so environmental engineering, chemical engineering, space programs, like everything. She didn’t believe in idle hands.”
Down the line, Chambers discovered Alton Brown. In addition to sharing the same name as the TV host, chef, and author, Brown was one of Chambers’ first introductions to the concept of food science.
“His show “Good Eats,” it’s basically science. And at the time, I didn’t know that. But as I matriculated through high school, I kind of figured out this was really intriguing.”
Soon after, he’d learn about the college major while researching courses of study with his sister, who ran a business devoted to helping students find scholarships.
“I thought “this is too good to be real,” said Chambers. “Definitely kind of a match made in heaven on that one. So, that’s what got me interested in food science.”
In addition to working in the field, Chambers hopes to inspire other people to consider the major.
“There’s not a lot of African Americans or people of color in food science,” said Chambers. “It’s a great field as well.”
