Newswise — CHICAGO –With our planet’s population estimated to reach more than 9 billion by 2050, the world faces many pressing food demands. In order to help food scientists and technologists meet these challenges, the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) and the Canadian Institute of Food Science and Technology (CIFST) are excited to announce a new joint-membership program.

“This joint membership provides members with the opportunity to take advantage of a wide array of international resources and knowledge-sharing opportunities which can help face the challenges of a food supply chain that is becoming increasingly diverse, complex, and global,” said IFT President John Coupland, PhD, CFS.

For a single membership fee, food sector professionals will become a member of both organizations and have access to expanded member benefits from both organizations. Here are some of the resources available through this offer:

CIFST Member Benefits• A digital subscription to CIFST’s Canadian Food Insights magazine and DIRECTIONS email news brief• Networking opportunities through national, international, and regional events, as well as access to the CIFST online membership directory• Opportunities to participate in volunteer leadership roles and scientific expert panels• Access to CIFST's member-only job board and free posting of curriculum vitae• Eligibility for CIFST Institute Awards and student scholarships• Member discounts on event registration fees, journal subscriptions, home and auto insurance, and job board employment postings

IFT Member Benefits• Digital access to Food Technology magazine• Complimentary access to valuable professional and career resources developed by IFT, including member-only content and tools on ift.org, all live and on-demand IFT webcasts, IFT Connect (IFT’s online networking and discussion community), topic-based special interest groups, and the online membership directory• Face-to-face and virtual networking opportunities with an international community of food professionals• Exclusive member discounts on registration fees for the IFT annual event, Certified Food Scientist (CFS) application fees and recertification, online courses, short courses, the Journal of Food Science (JFS), IFT Press books, and more

For more information about this program, please visit http://www.ift.org/membership/membership-types/joint_membership.aspx.

About IFTFounded in 1939, the Institute of Food Technologists is committed to advancing the science of food. Our non-profit scientific society—more than 17,000 members from more than 95 countries—brings together food scientists, technologists and related professionals from academia, government, and industry. For more information, please visit http://www.ift.org.

About CIFSTFounded in 1951, CIFST is the national association for food industry professionals. Its membership of more than 1200 is comprised of scientists and technologists in industry, government and academia who are committed to advancing food science and technology.