MAFTO Scholarships for our members and Academy of Food Marketing
students from St. Joseph’s University
The Mid Atlantic Food Trade Organization (MAFTO) is a 501c3 organization whose goal is to aid those in need in the food and related industries, and award college scholarships to our members’ families. The MAFTO Scholarships are awarded without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, handicap or sex. Winners will be selected by the MAFTO Scholarship Committee based on academic success, overall excellence of character, and potential for community contributions and leadership.
We have also established a scholarship program with the Academy of Food Marketing at St. Joseph’s University. It is a logical step for us to ensure the next generation of food industry leader are both well educated and well-rounded as they take up the mantle of this generation.
Click Here to Apply | Click Here to See MAFTO 2025 Scholarship Recipients | Click Here to See MAFTO 2025 St. Joseph’s Academy of Food Marketing Scholarship Recipients
Click here to see how you/your company can donate to the MAFTO scholarship program. Your company will appear here as a donor.
Eligibility Requirements The MAFTO Scholarship is open to a child/stepchild or grandchild of a qualified MAFTO member. Qualified MAFTO members are those who have been in the organization for at least one year and attended at least one event within the last 12 months. You may receive this scholarship only once, repeat applications will be denied. You must also be a full-time returning college student as a sophomore, junior or senior. First year college freshman are not eligible to apply. The decision of the Scholarship Committee is final. Applications for the Scholarships are due by June 30. Please remember to include the following:
- Applicant’s Employer Letter of Recommendation (click here for form to fill out and upload)
- College Advisor Recommendation Form (click here for form to fill out and upload)
- A School Transcript
- Personal Essay
(write a personal essay to explain who the most influential person has been in your life so far. Please tell us how this person has affected your life. Your essay should be typed and should not exceed 250 words.)
Scholarships will be paid directly to the schools that the recipients attend. Applicants agree to accept the MAFTO Scholarship Committee’s decision as final.
Application Deadline: All applications and documents must be uploaded to the website by June 30 Apply for Scholarship
2025 Scholarship Recipients
Susannah North is a sophomore at the College of Charleston studying psychology. She loves swimming and coaches for her community swim team, while also working at Rita’s in the summer. She is passionate about mental health and helping others and is working towards being a licensed therapist. She plans to attend graduate school after completing her bachelor’s to further her education and experience.
Molly Riley is beginning her second year at the University of Pittsburgh. She is currently a psychology student with a goal of pursuing a doctoral degree in occupational therapy after graduation. She is an active member of her school and works at the coffee shop, Saxbys, on her campus. Molly loves weightlifting and running, and loves to stay active. She hopes to seek a career in pediatric OT and one day own her own practice.
Madeline Kasunich, originally from Pittsburgh, is a rising junior at Bucknell University pursuing a degree in Finance. She is deeply grateful for the opportunities she’s had to grow both academically and personally at Bucknell. As Co-President of the Women in Business club, Vice President of Finance for Alpha Delta Pi sorority, and a Teaching assistant, Madeline values leadership as a way to support and uplift her classmates. Whether helping new students learn their way on campus or mentoring others through her leadership positions, she enjoys giving back to the community of Bucknell. With a strong interest in finance and a passion for collaboration, she looks forward to applying what she’s learned in both the classroom and campus life to her future career. Next summer, Madeline will be interning with TD securities working in the Municipal Products group in the New York City office.
Mae Smith is a senior at Rowan University majoring in Finance with plans to pursue a career as a real estate agent after graduation. Over the summer, Mae completed real estate school to further prepare for the licensing process and gain practical industry knowledge. At Rowan, Mae stays involved through participating in several campus clubs and has consistently earned Dean’s List honors. In her free time, Mae enjoys spending time with friends and relaxing at the beach. Mae is excited to combine her academic background and passion for real estate into a successful career after college.
Nicholas Murgia is a senior at Penn State studying mechanical engineering. In addition to his studies, Nicholas is an undergraduate researcher, an engineering writing mentor, and a member of Penn State’s Italian student society. His interests include automobiles, aviation, and manufacturing. Additionally, Nicholas has a passion for his Italian heritage. After graduation, he hopes to either obtain an engineering role or pursue a graduate degree that aligns with his sectors of interest. Nic also aspires to engage with his heritage through work, study, and community initiatives.
Morgan Kostick is starting her second year at the University of Delaware. She has received Dean’s List honors both semesters of her freshman year. On campus Morgan is a member of the Alpha Phi sorority, where she participated in community service programs. Morgan is majoring in K-8 education, with a concentration in multilingual learners.
MAFTO 2026 St. Joseph’s Academy of Food Marketing Scholarship
Recipients
We had numerous qualifying applicants and struggled to arrive at a winner for the $10,000 Scholarship. After much consideration, the committee agreed upon Annalise Steffe.
Annalise Steffe is a junior at Saint Joseph’s University, double-majoring in Food Marketing and Leadership, Ethics, and Organizational Sustainability. Originally from New Jersey, she is passionate about connecting people through food and creating meaningful experiences within the industry. She serves as Executive Vice President of the Food Marketing Association and is actively involved in several leadership and service initiatives on campus, including serving as a leader of APEX, a service organization supporting communities in the Appalachian region. Annalise is also a member of Delta Sigma Pi Business Fraternity and Tri Sigma Sorority.
Professionally, she has completed a co-op with C.A. Ferolie and will be interning with E&J Gallo Winery this summer. Annalise is grateful to receive the MAFTO scholarship and looks forward to the opportunities it will help create.
Due to the continued generosity of the food industry contributing to our events this past year, we were also able to grant 2 secondary $5,000 Scholarships to other Food Marketing rising seniors:
Originally from Manalapan, New Jersey, Maxwell Salonna is a Food Marketing and Business Intelligence & Analytics major with experience across the food industry, including roles in serving, bussing, catering, and cashiering. He is currently a Business Insights Co-Op at C.A. Ferolie, where he leverages data and analytics to support strategic decision making, and previously completed a co-op at PepsiCo in Foodservice Sales Management on the Digital Menu Optimization team. On campus, Max serves as Vice President of Marketing in the Food Marketing Association and as a Haub Ambassador, actively engaging with students and industry partners. Passionate about the intersection of food and analytics, he is committed to continuing to grow and make an impact in the industry
Originally from Bucks County, PA, Drew Parlee is a junior at Saint Joseph’s University studying Food Marketing and Business Intelligence & Analytics. Building on early experience in the foodservice industry, he is currently completing a Business Insight Co-op with C.A. Ferolie and will join Church & Dwight this summer as a Sales Analyst Intern on the Revenue Growth Management team. On campus, Drew is a highly engaged leader, serving as the Interim President and VP of Recruitment for the Interfraternity Council, Director of Outreach for the Food Marketing Association, and as an Ambassador for the Haub School of Business. He is also a brother of Sigma Phi Epsilon and a member of the Men’s Club Soccer team. Through these experiences, Drew has developed a strong passion for data analysis and strategy, which he is eager to bring to the CPG industry post-graduation.
We appreciate the support of the food industry so that we may continue to assist those students studying Food Marketing. These students will be soon joining us in the work force and eventually become leaders in the food industry.
Thank you to the following companies for their direct contribution to the MAFTO scholarship program:
Lee & Associates Commercial Real Estate Services
If you would like to add you/your companies name to this list, please click here.
Please contact Scholarship Chair JJ Brennan on how you can participate directly with the Scholarship Program.
610-869-4100