US Foods Holding Corp., one of the largest food service distributors in the United States, recently announced that all those interested in taking part in its 2023 US Foods Scholars program have until May 10 to apply.

Launched in 2017, US Foods Scholars awards financial support and career development opportunities to outstanding food and hospitality students seeking to pursue a career in the restaurant or hospitality industry.

Lisa Gibbons, vice president of corporate communications at US Food, said:

US Foods is proud to invest in the next generation of culinary and hospitality professionals who will help shape the future of our industry.

US Foods Scholars program

In addition to nurturing culinary and hospitality talent, the program also addresses the labor shortage affecting restaurants across the country and promotes diversity and inclusion in the food service industry.

Since its inception, the program has awarded more than $1.3 million in scholarships to 67 deserving students, more than 90% of whom are gender or racially diverse.

For the class of 2023, the company will award $20,000 grants to 18 students representing culinary schools in nine markets across the country.

The scholarship allows most recipients to cover most or all education-related expenses, including tuition, fees, books and supplies, as well as room and board during their second or fourth degree program years.

US Foods also provides exclusive professional development opportunities for scholarship recipients, such as networking and learning from US Foods subject matter experts and participating in customer-focused company events.

“It’s a pleasure to seek the next class of talented, deserving students who will most certainly make the most of this opportunity as they fulfill the next step of their culinary education journey,” added Gibbons. 

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Two eligible students will be selected from each of the following partner schools:

• Austin Community College, Austin, Texas
• Bethune Cookman University, Daytona, Florida
• International Culinary School at the Art Institute of Atlanta, Atlanta, Georgia
• Lawson State Community College, Birmingham, Alabama
• Linn Benton Community College, Portland, Oregon
• Wake Technical College, Raleigh, North Carolina

Applications for students located in the three remaining markets, Arizona, Chicago and New York, are facilitated separately through the company's partnership with the Careers through Culinary Arts Program (C-CAP).

US Foods Scholars nominated through C-CAP are selected from among eligible high school seniors who plan to pursue a culinary or hospitality arts education at a post-secondary school of their choice.

“With the rising cost of education, it’s more important than ever to provide opportunities for students to succeed, and every year this scholarship program does just that. We are delighted to partner with US Foods again and help provide aspiring culinary and hospitality students the financial support and opportunity they need to pursue their passions and advance their skills,” said Mike Nylund, Scholarship America’s President and CEO.