FST Club Honored for Excellence

The Phi Tau Sigma – Alpha Lambda Chapter at Cal Poly Pomona was honored for offering its members a wide variety of activities in the field of food science and technology.

The honor society club was named a 2021-22 “Chapter of Excellence” by the national Phi Tau Sigma organization.

The recognition is significant for an academic program with only a small master’s program and no doctoral students. The Cal Poly Pomona chapter has just eight students; members must have at least a 3.5 grade point average.

Activities the club has offered members include holding a ServSafe workshop for students to become certified as food managers and increase their knowledge of food safety. During the pandemic, the club also offered a biweekly meeting with guests speaking about researching, résumé building, and how to transition to the working world after graduation.

In addition, club members actively participate in events hosted by other food science professional organizations, such as the Southern California Institute of Food Technologists Section Suppliers’ Night Expo.

They also have volunteered at other non-academic events, such as the Cal Poly Pomona Pumpkin Fest and the Huntley College of Agriculture’s Student Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activities showcase.

The honor society’s mission is to raise the stature and recognize scholarly achievements of the food science and technology profession. The club achieves this by encouraging outstanding achievement by food science students and professionals and by enhancing professionals among food science professionals through the Phi Tau Sigma member network.

Cal Poly Pomona’s food science and technology students have continually distinguished themselves in national and regional product development competitions. Many have gone on to graduate programs or work in the industry.