$10,000
scholarships support students with military backgrounds pursuing
careers in culinary arts or foodservice management related
programs
AUSTIN,
Minn., Nov. 10, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Hormel Foods
Corporation (NYSE: HRL), a Fortune 500 global branded food
company, is today announcing the recipients of this year's two
$10,000 Hormel Heroes Scholarships.
The Hormel Heroes Scholarship Program, administered by the National
Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF), was
established by Hormel Foods in 2019 to support students with
military backgrounds pursuing degrees in culinary arts or a
foodservice management-related program. To date, the company has
awarded $120,000 to nine
students.
"As a 'thank you' for their service, Hormel Foods is honored to
support our military members in their career aspirations," said
Mark Ourada, group vice president of
Foodservice at Hormel Foods. "These scholarships are a way to show
our appreciation for students who serve or have served our country
and are pursuing careers in the foodservice industry. It is a
pleasure to congratulate our 2023 scholarship recipients,
Britany Belcher and Danny Wheeler. Thank you both for your dedicated
service. We are proud to support you and your future
endeavors."
Belcher, an Air Force veteran who served as an A1C specialist,
is currently a freshman studying culinary arts at the Auguste
Escoffier School of Culinary in Boulder,
Colo. As she works to acquire her associate degree, her plan
is to eventually pursue her bachelor's and master's degrees in
nutrition.
"Having spent the last 14 years in child nutrition in the public
schools, I've come to recognize the dire need for quality food that
is both nutritionally sound as well as delicious," Belcher said.
"Thanks to this scholarship, I won't have to utilize student loans
to acquire my associate degree. I have two small children, so
funding was the deciding factor for attending school. I can now
pursue my passion and fight for my community's children without
worrying about how I'll pay back thousands of dollars in
loans."
Wheeler is an active member of the U.S. Army National Guard,
serving as an E4 specialist. He is currently a senior at the
University of Missouri studying
hospitality management.
"I am the first generation of my family to go to college, and my
parents wanted me to have opportunities they did not have," Wheeler
said. "They took it upon themselves to help in any way they could;
my mother taking on a second job, my father picking up additional
shifts, and myself enlisting in the military were the sacrifices we
had to make for me to pursue higher education. Because of your
generosity and commitment to furthering my education, the financial
burden has been lifted off of my family's shoulders. Seeing the
stress being taken off my parents' face once they heard about my
scholarship was the most rewarding part of this entire experience.
Your belief in my potential has left an indelible mark on my
future, and I am committed to making the most of this
opportunity."
Since 1987, the NRAEF has provided more than $26 million in scholarships and grants to over
5,500 students and foodservice educators pursuing
restaurant-related degrees and professional training. For more
information about the NRAEF, visit ChooseRestaurants.org.
About Hormel Foods — Inspired People. Inspired
Food.™
Hormel Foods Corporation, based in Austin, Minn., is a global branded food
company with over $12 billion in
annual revenue across more than 80 countries worldwide. Its brands
include Planters®, Skippy®,
SPAM®, Hormel® Natural Choice®,
Applegate®, Justin's®, Wholly®,
Hormel® Black Label®,
Columbus®, Jennie-O® and more than
30 other beloved brands. The company is a member of the S&P 500
Index and the S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats, was named on the
"Global 2000 World's Best Employers" list by Forbes magazine for three years, is one of
Fortune magazine's most admired companies, has appeared on the "100
Best Corporate Citizens" list by 3BL Media 13 times, and has
received numerous other awards and accolades for its corporate
responsibility and community service efforts. The company lives by
its purpose statement — Inspired People. Inspired
Food.™ — to bring some of the world's most trusted
and iconic brands to tables across the globe. For more information,
visit hormelfoods.com.
About the National Restaurant Association Educational
Foundation (NRAEF)
As the philanthropic foundation of the National Restaurant
Association, the National Restaurant Association Education
Foundation's mission of service to the public is dedicated to
enhancing the industry's training and education, career development
and community engagement efforts. The NRAEF and its programs work
to Attract, Employer and Advance today's and tomorrow's restaurant
and foodservice workforce. NRAEF programs include:
ProStart® — a high school career and technical
educational program; Restaurant Ready — partnering with
community-based organizations to provide justice-involved youth
with skills and training and job opportunities; Military — helping
military servicemen and women transition their skills to restaurant
and foodservice and hospitality degrees; and the Hospitality Sector
Registered Apprenticeship Project — a partnership with the American
Hotel & Lodging Foundation (AHLAF) providing a hospitality
apprenticeship program for the industry. For more information about
the NRAEF, visit ChooseRestaurants.org.
Contact:
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Media
Relations
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Hormel Foods
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media@hormel.com
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SOURCE Hormel Foods Corporation