US Foods Now Accepting Applications for Company’s Largest Annual Scholarship Offering to Date; Lisa Whitson Comments

ROSEMONT, IL - US Foods Holding Corp., one of America’s largest foodservice distributors, announced that applications for the 2026 US Foods Scholars program are now being accepted through May 11. The company’s signature scholarship program offers 20 need-based scholarships of $20,000 each to students pursuing degrees in Culinary Arts or a related discipline, including Culinary Science, Baking and Pastry Arts, Nutrition, Food Business Management, and Hospitality Management.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of chefs and head cooks will grow 7% between 2024 and 2034, with about 24,400 openings per year throughout the decade. US Foods Scholars provides an avenue for aspiring young talent to pursue a career in this growing and exciting field. Since its launch, the program has awarded nearly $2.5 million in scholarships to more than 120 students. Program alums have propelled their careers by starting their own businesses, joining prestigious restaurant groups, building successful baking and pastry professions, and receiving mentorship from leading chefs throughout the industry.

“To support the next generation of culinary talent in their pursuit of a foodservice career, it is an honor to officially open applications for the 2026 class of US Foods Scholars – our largest annual scholarship offering to date,” said Lisa Whitson, vice president of corporate communications, US Foods, in the recent release. “As we support culinary students nationwide with the financial support to fulfill their culinary dreams, we know we are helping to fuel the foodservice talent pipeline with motivated and worthy students.”

The US Foods Scholars program is open to all U.S. culinary or hospitality students pursuing a two- or four-year postsecondary degree. The program’s scholarships enable recipients to manage education-related expenses such as tuition, fees, books, supplies, and room and board, and provide access to exclusive professional development opportunities, including learning engagements with US Foods experts and participation in customer-facing events.

US Foods, in partnership with Scholarship America, is accepting applications through an online application portal, available on the company’s website at usfoods.com/scholars. The deadline to apply is May 11, 2026, at 3:00 pm CT.