The New Jersey Food Council’s (NJFC) Educational Development Scholarship Foundation hosted a virtual reception this graduation season to honor the recipients of $102,500 in academic scholarships. The funding aims to cultivate the next generation of business and food industry leaders.
The foundation received a competitive wave of 236 applications this year. Selected students were chosen for their unique skill sets, commitment to pursuing higher education, and dedication to advancing the food and grocery sectors. Since its launch in 2011 with just three initial awards, the program has expanded dramatically to feature 32 distinct scholarships backed by the NJFC and its prominent member companies.
“As these students and their families know firsthand, our industry is about much more than selling groceries, we are in the people business,” Linda Doherty, NJFC president & CEO, said. “It is that spirit of giving that established our Educational Development Fund… The overall goal of this program is to invest in and provide opportunities for the hardworking families and associates who are the foundation of New Jersey’s food industry.”
Jason Read, NJFC Chairman and Director of Store Operations for Wawa, echoed those sentiments, noting that the recipients are poised to make a meaningful difference across their communities and the wider industry.
2026 Scholarship Recipients
NJFC Signature Scholarships
- NJFC President’s Scholarship ($5,000): Ave Colbert (Camden County College)
- NJFC Founders Scholarship ($5,000): Ian Eldridge (Rowan University)
- NJFC Thomas Infusino Scholarship ($5,000): Aracely Campero Calderon (Kean University)
- NJFC Student Scholarship ($5,000): George Picinic (Ramapo College of New Jersey)
- NJFC Scholarships ($2,500 each): Dylan Tomlin (George Washington University), Elizabeth Gaudreau (Morris County College), Ave Colbert (Camden County College)
- NJFC Bill Sumas Emerging Leader Scholarship ($2,500): Rileigh Sweeney (Rowan University)
- NJFC Michael Rothwell PQM Scholarship ($5,000): Jacob Delutis (Mercer County Community College)
Member & Memorial Corporate Scholarships
- Acme Markets/Kings Food Markets Scholarship ($2,500 each): Andrew Paterek (Rutgers University), Ave Colbert (Camden County College), Rubiel Castaneda (Union County College)
- Abe Glass Memorial Scholarship ($5,000): Aracely Campero Calderon (Kean University)
- Ben Glass Memorial Scholarship ($5,000): Karen Moran-Gil (Dominican University – New York)
- Glass Gardens ShopRites Scholarship ($2,500 each): Tynishia Penn (Strayer University), George Picinic (Ramapo College), Erick Zea Rivera (Fairleigh Dickinson University), Christina Zamora (Caldwell University)
- Lawrence R. Inserra Memorial Scholarship: Alexandra Friedman (University of South Carolina – $5,000), Lilah Thompson (Quinnipiac University – $5,000), Rosa Avila (Rockland Community College – $2,500), Isabella Kerio (Rutgers University – $2,500)
- Ronald S. and Kathleen Murphy Scholarship ($2,500): Shane Anderson (University of Central Florida)
- Robert Powell Memorial Scholarship ($2,500 each): Sean Gillis (Kean University), Charlotte Keating (Florida Atlantic University)
- Rockin’ Protein Never Settle Scholarship ($2,500): Rylie Evans (Northeastern University)
- Shamrock Farms Fresh Futures Scholarship ($2,500): Mia Marie Pellerito (Rowan University)
- QuickChek Corporation Scholarship ($2,500): Yves-Velt Thomas (Rutgers University)
- Whole Foods Market Scholarship ($2,500 each): Aung Khant (University of Maryland), Maliko Cato (Community College of Philadelphia), Yair A. Torres (Burlington Community College), Michael Kengni (University of District of Columbia)
