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The Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) Founded in 1939, IFT was based on the vision of a small group of scientists who believed that communication among professionals involved in food science and technology was essential to the progress of these emerging disciplines.

Seventy-five years later, IFT has grown both in numbers and in impact. With members from virtually every discipline related to food science and technology, and from more than 100 countries around the world, IFT has truly become a voice for those dedicated to the science of food.

IFT’s founders established five objectives in the organization’s original constitution:

• Facilitate the interchange of ideas among its members
• Stimulate scientific investigations into technical problems dealing with the manufacture and distribution of food
• Promulgate the results of research in food technology
• Offer a forum for discussion
• Plan, organize, and administer projects for the advancement of food science

It’s a testament to the foresight of our organization’s leaders that these objectives are as relevant today-if not more so-than they were 75 years ago.

As a scientific society with vision, IFT is feeding the minds that feed the world Read more about IFT: > click here

> View the Videos from our 75th Anniversary celebration


> Download the Program

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The Chicago Section of the Institute of Food Technologists (CSIFT) is the oldest, the largest, and most active Section of the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT). The Section boundaries encompass the northern part of the State of Illinois and include the Illinois postal zip codes 600-619, 623, 625-627, 463, and 464. However, the Chicago Section IFT accepts local membership from any interested person from any other location who pays a full Member’s annual dues.

The Section was officially formed on January 15, 1941, two years after the Institute of Food Technologists was founded. The International IFT organization is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois.

The Section is widely known for its active and dedicated leadership. The Chicago Section often hosts the IFT Annual Meeting and Food Expo when it is in Chicago.

The Section also initiated the annual Tanner Lecture Series and Suppliers’ Night Expo. The Section awards several scholarships annually.

We are proud of our accomplishments and are eagerly looking forward to the future of our Section and our role in its success.

To serve the Chicago Section IFT by providing educational opportunities for members and future members by:

• Increasing awareness of the vital role of food science and technology in everyday life
• Encouraging and providing the means for discussing and disseminating technical and other information relating to the production, processing, packaging, distribution, preparation, evaluation, and utilization of food
• Advancing the profession of food science and technology by promoting the maintenance of high professional standards among its members
• Supporting causes to advance the profession; and providing a forum for the exchange of ideas, knowledge and information