NPFDA Scholarship Foundation Announces 2026 Scholarship Recipients

Since 1979, the National Protein & Food Distributors Association Scholarship Foundation has awarded scholarships to dependents and employees of member companies. For 2026, the Scholarship Foundation Selection Committee has selected 44 recipients to receive $5,000 each, payable to the university or college of their choice. $220,000 will be distributed to students across the United States thanks to the support and generosity of NPFDA member companies. 
 

2026 Undergraduate Scholars 

• Morgan R. Arterburn - Clemson University - House of Raeford Farms 
• Sullivan Banks-Gilmore - The University of Texas at Austin - Marcus Food Co. 
• Daniela M. Botello - University of Georgia - Filet of Chicken | House of Raeford Farms 
• Jillian G. Burke - Mercer University - Quirch Foods 
• Alivia G. Chasten - North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University - House of Raeford Farms 
• Kadyn Claborn - Luther College - Simmons Foods 
• Ashley Clark - University of New Hampshire - G&C Foods 
• John E. Cook - Salisbury University - Perdue Agribusiness 
• Jaedon D. Cummings - University of Southern Florida – Quirch Foods 
• Jacob Davis - ECU or NC State - House of Raeford Farms 
• Jackson Downs - University of North Carolina - Prestige Farms 
• Elise M. Fripp - Saint Mary’s College of California - Foster Farms 
• Jahaziel Gomez - Florida State University - Quirch Foods 
• Emily Hernandez - GA Highlands College – Tip Top Poultry  
• Ava Jurek - University of Notre Dame - Koch Foods 
• Morgan Koon - Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College - Koch Foods 
• Paige R. Kuntschik - Lonestar College - Holmes Foods 
• Camden Lemon - Salisbury University - Perdue Farms Inc. 
• Joelee A. Lester - Texas AM University - Holmes Foods Inc. 
• Ellie Nelson - University of Mary - Bay & Bay Transportation 
• Kaylee E. Neuschwander - Auburn University - Stams Family Foods 
• Caden Nolan - Belmont Abbey College - House of Raeford Farms 
• Katryanna M. Obringer - The Ohio State University - Case Farms 
• Lily K. Osborne - Rowan-Cabarrus Community College - D&Z Marketing Group 
• Sloan M. Pettus - University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill - Prestige Farms 
• Max D. Pridgen - Georgia Southern University - House of Raeford Farms 
• Carmen I. Puentes - University of Tennessee at Martin - DeGroot Logistics Inc. 
• Mason T. Pusey - Methodist University - Perdue Farms Inc. 
• Jaylin M. Rodriguez - University of Miami - Quirch Foods 
• Ella Sharp - University of Florida - Kelly's Foods 
• Jackson M. Simmons - West Virginia University - Environ Energy 
• Brayden Smith - Waynesburg University – Pilgrim’s 
• Annasten Solik - Northwest Arkansas Community College - Simmons Foods 
• Mia Steigmeyer - Ball State University - Quickfreeze 
• Turner J. Thomas - Appalachian State University - House of Raeford Farms 
• Ethan Torres - Miami Dade College Kendall Campus - Quirch Foods 
• Eduardo M. Torres - University of Georgia - House of Raeford Farms 
• Sam Tucker - University of Georgia - Tip Top Poultry 
• Alexis A. Walker - University of Florida - Pilgrim's 
• Valaja J. Wallace - North Carolina A&T State University - Butterball (Seaboard Corp.) 

2026 Graduate School Scholars 

• K. Valeria Casco - Auburn University - Department of Poultry Science at Auburn University 
• Erasmo A. Flores Granados - Auburn University - Department of Poultry Science at Auburn University 
• Andrew C. Reynolds – University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill - House of Raeford Farms  
• Katherine Sofia Sierra - Auburn University - Department of Poultry Science at Auburn University 

2026 Named Scholarship Donor Companies 

• House of Raeford Farms - matching donation 
• Shuler Meats 
• D & Z Sales (formerly D & H Marketing) 
• Carolina Precision 
• Mountaire Farms 
• Fieldale Farms/Springer Mountain Farms 
• Foodlinx 
• Quirch Foods 
• Jones Poultry 
• East Bay Poultry 
• Lamex Foods 
• Foodlink Group 
• Lawrence Wholesale 

2026 Additional Scholarship Donor Companies 

• E.J. Poultry 
• Eastern Quality Foods 
• Environ Energy 
• House of Raeford Farms 
• Powell Management Group LLC 
• Simmons Foods 
• Integrity Foods 
• Diversified Foods, LLC