Corvallis, OR, February 20, 2025 – Students at the Oregon State University (OSU) Food Science and Fermentation Club were invited by Ever Fresh Fruit Company to team up with their colleagues in the College of Agricultural Sciences program for a unique competition to develop creative, market-ready ice cream concepts.
Contest sponsor, Ever Fresh Fruit Company is ensuring participating teams have access to the highest-quality clean-label ingredients for their formulations. This includes Ever Fresh’s own ice cream flavor bases, fruit feeders, and variegates, as well as vanilla ice cream mix from Lochmead Dairy, custom flavor kits from Flavor Producers, and handmade inclusions from The Ice Cream Factory. Teams will work in the state-of-the-art OSU Creamery to perfect their ice cream formulations. And for inspiration, team members will receive a copy of the Salt & Straw Ice Cream Cookbook by Tyler Malek and JJ Goode.
“I am excited to see the participants go to the edges of the map on ice cream innovation,” said Scott Geringer, CEO at Ever Fresh, “The challenge will be for the OSU Food Science students to balance creativity while formulating a commercially viable product. Game on!”
Hands-On Learning for OSU Students
The contest will take place over several months, culminating in a judging event on May 30, 2025, where students will present their final ice cream concepts to a panel of judges, including the Ever Fresh Innovation Team and guest judge Tyler Malek, Co-Founder and Head of Innovation at Salt & Straw.
"We are always looking for ways to connect OSU’s Food Science and Technology students with real-world industry opportunities,” said Lisbeth Goddik, Department Head for Food Science and Technology at OSU. “This contest not only fosters creativity but also teaches valuable lessons in product development, food safety, and commercialization.”
Key Contest Dates
Contest Launch Date: February 19, 2025
Team Registration Deadline: March 3, 2025
Mid-Contest Progress Check-In: Week of April 7 to 11, 2025
Final Submission Deadline: May 23, 2025
Judging Event & Winners Announced: May 30, 2025
Prizes & Industry Recognition
The top three teams will be awarded cash prizes, with the first-place winner receiving $1,500 and the opportunity to have their winning flavor produced and sold at the OSU Creamery.
Media & Industry Involvement
Ever Fresh Fruit Company and OSU encourage industry professionals, alumni, and media to follow the contest’s progress and attend the final judging event. For press inquiries, media interviews, or sponsorship opportunities, please contact:
About Ever Fresh Fruit Company
Great products start with exceptional ingredients, and Ever Fresh Fruit Company has been sourcing pure, natural fruits and complementary ingredients for decades. We deliver custom-formulated solutions for food brands making high-quality, clean-label ice cream, frozen desserts, bakery products, or specialty beverages. With a commitment to innovation, sustainability, and reliability, our solutions—from fruit bases to indulgent caramels, chocolates, and fudges—help brands win more consumers by meeting demands for real-food options with indulgent taste. For more information, visit www.everfreshfruit.com or follow us on LinkedIn. (https://www.linkedin.com/company/ever-fresh-fruit-co/)
About OSU’s Department of Food Science and Technology
Oregon State University’s Food Science and Technology program is nationally recognized for its cutting-edge research, hands-on learning, and strong industry partnerships. The program prepares students for careers in food innovation, safety, and production, working with top companies in the food and beverage industry.