Hormel Foods Corporation announces recipents of Hormel Heroes Scholarships

Hormel Foods Corporation is today announcing the recipients of this year’s two $10,000 Hormel Heroes Scholarships. The Hormel Heroes Scholarship Program, administered by the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF), was established by Hormel Foods in 2019 to support students with military backgrounds pursuing degrees in culinary arts or a foodservice management-related program. To date, the company has awarded $120,000 to nine students.

“As a ‘thank you’ for their service, Hormel Foods is honored to support our military members in their career aspirations,” said Mark Ourada, group vice president of Foodservice at Hormel Foods. “These scholarships are a way to show our appreciation for students who serve or have served our country and are pursuing careers in the foodservice industry. It is a pleasure to congratulate our 2023 scholarship recipients, Britany Belcher and Danny Wheeler. Thank you both for your dedicated service. We are proud to support you and your future endeavors.”

Belcher, an Air Force veteran who served as an A1C specialist, is currently a freshman studying culinary arts at the Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary in Boulder, Colo. As she works to acquire her associate degree, her plan is to eventually pursue her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in nutrition.

Wheeler is an active member of the U.S. Army National Guard, serving as an E4 specialist. He is currently a senior at the University of Missouri studying hospitality management.

Since 1987, the NRAEF has provided more than $26 million in scholarships and grants to over 5,500 students and foodservice educators pursuing restaurant-related degrees and professional training.