George Washington Carver working in the lab, from the P. H. Polk Family Collection. Courtesy of Tuskegee University Archives.

The Institute of Food Technologists has launched a new award to recognize individuals and organizations in the food science field who have made strides in advancing equity, inclusion and diversity.

The prize is a $3,000 donation to a social justice organization of the recipient's choice and a crystal award from IFT.

Chicago-based IFT gave the inaugural Include Award posthumously to George Washington Carver, who was born into slavery and went on to become a scientist, educator, conservationist, artist and humanitarian. Carver was dedicated to helping Southern farmers, particularly African Americans, improve their lives. He led the agricultural department at Tuskegee Institute in Alabama, now Tuskegee University, which accepted the award. Carver died in 1943.

Include Award recipients must have addressed inequalities in the food system; created policies and practices to ensure an equitable distribution of resources, power and influence in their workplace or university; or advanced diversity and inclusion within the IFT community.

Nominations for future awards must include a four-page statement and letter of impact. More information can be found at https://www.ift.org/community/awards-and-recognition/achievement-awards/include-award.

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