FFA’s Laney Maloy wins national Food Science championship, team takes 3rd

Byline photo of Charles (Charlie) Faulkner

Ali Ince and Charles (Charlie) Faulkner • Sep 22, 2023

Liz Harris

The Food Science Team had an hour to develop a new “on-the-go snack”: a donut. Developing a presentation on the product that considered quality control, cost of goods, target audience and food safety.

Laney Maloy “wasn’t considering going into food science or food safety before the trip, she said. But after visiting Cornell and Penn State on the trip and learning more about food science, she has a new appreciation for everything that goes bringing a food product to market. (Liz Harris)

FFA’s Laney Maloy was named Food Science and Technology National Champion, taking first at the Eastern States Exposition on Sept. 15 in Springfield, Massachusetts.

The competition tasked Maloy with completing various career and technical challenges, including a sensory evaluation where she had to blindly identify 31 scents.

In her first year on the FFA Food Science team, Maloy had no expectations of victory.

When her name was called as champion, Maloy said, “I couldn’t process it… I was so shocked.”

Joining Maloy in hearing their names called were Emily Bianchi, Lil Garcia and J Beto.

The four placed third in the Food Science and Technology team competition, developing a new food product in an hour —

determining its ingredients, designing packaging, calculating nutritional information and developing and presenting a marketing plan.

“It’s called a master plan,” Maloy said. “You have to find out how you can make it, pricing, how to promote [it]… from the factories” to the stores.

Beto placed 9th in the Food Science competition on the trip. While on the east coast, the Food Science team toured New York’s Institute of Food Safety at Cornell University and the New York State Agricultural Experiment Station and visited Penn State University’s Food Science department. (Liz Harris)

Beto received individual honors as well, placing 9th.

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About the Contributors

Ali Ince, Staff Writer

Ali Ince is a senior at Normal Community High School who runs track and cross country and plays basketball. She is also the treasurer on the Student Council and a huddle leader for Fellowship of Christian Athletes. This is her first year on the Inkspot as a staff writer.

Charles (Charlie) Faulkner, Staff Writer

Charlie Faulkner is a senior at Normal Community High School and is a part of the NCHS Experimental Music Ensemble. This is his first year of working with the Inkspot, and he is a staff writer. I love all things music. I have played guitar since I was six years old and can fake it with just about any other string instrument you give me. My best advice is never forget the importance and power of forgiveness.