US Foods announced the expansion of its US Foods Scholars program into Arizona. US Foods Scholars awards financial support and professional development opportunities to students who plan to pursue an education in the culinary arts and enter the restaurant industry.

The program was created in partnership with the Careers through Culinary Arts Program (C-CAP) to identify participating high school seniors who have demonstrated outstanding potential and achievement in the culinary arts and require additional resources to take the next step of their journey. US Foods Scholars will award three students annually a two-year scholarship totaling $20,000 each to support costs related to their continued culinary education.

Arizona is the second state in which US Foods Scholars will provide support for participating C-CAP students. US Foods Scholars officially launched in August 2017 in Chicago and was developed to help tackle the talent shortage facing the restaurant industry, which is forecasted to have 1.7 million new positions by 20251.

“We’re excited to be expanding US Foods Scholars and giving more young people an opportunity to achieve their dreams in the culinary arts,” says Debra Ceffalio, senior director of corporate communications, US Foods. “Arizona has a thriving restaurant industry, which means there is a constant need for highly skilled applicants. With this initiative, US Foods aims to provide a meaningful solution for those demands, while supporting future culinary leaders.”

“We are delighted to have the support of US Foods and are thrilled for this generous extension of US Foods Scholars for our young people in Arizona,” says Karen Brosius, president of C-CAP. “Arizona is currently C-CAP’s only statewide program, serving a total of 4,360 students across 40 high schools. We believe this is a great opportunity for our students to continue to receive unique and beneficial hands-on training and skills from one of the largest food companies in the country.”