Northfield High School students in Shari Karlsrud’s FACS International Foods Course had the opportunity to meet with professionals from Schwan’s Foods, a Minnesota-based company, to engage in a product development project for a new pizza flavor to be introduced to schools next fall. The students sampled pizza, completed a product questionnaire and discussed the stages of product development.

Students heard from product developers, marketing professionals, and a food service broker who works between the manufacturer and distributor to promote the product. In addition to trying a new pizza flavor, Karlsrud’s students gained a broader understanding of job opportunities and career tracks in the food industry.