ABM Students Participate in Case Study Competition
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Katie Horvath, Shelbi R. Raasch , Tyler J. Peterson, Brendan O. Jarrett, and Gerardo Barragan pose beside a sign at the NGA Foundation Student Case Study Competition.
A team of agribusiness and food industry management students finished seventh in a national case study competition, the first time Cal Poly Pomona has participated in the event.
Shelbi Raasch, Brendan Jarret, Tyler Peterson and Gerardo Barragon entered the National Grocers Association (NGA) Foundation Student Case Study Competition in San Diego, Feb. 23-25. The event was held during the annual NGA Show.
The students presented a case study for a full financial and marketing plan for Buehler’s Fresh Foods grocery to make it easier for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program participants and shoppers with produce prescriptions to maximize their food benefits by increasing their portions of fruits and vegetables in their groceries.
The Cal Poly Pomona team finished seventh out of the 14 universities in the competition. The students were the seniors with highest grade point averages in the Department of Agribusiness and Food Industry Management/Agricultural Science (ABM).
In addition to the case study competition, the students
- received mentoring from Rick Brindle, vice president of industry development with Mondelez International.
- participated in a 5k Fun Run/Walk to support the Women Grocers of America.
- participated in a Student Judging Expo on the show floor, present their findings as millennials to the independent grocery retail and food manufacturing industries.
- introduced main education seminar topics like, "State of the Industry", "Healthy Food Incentive Programs" and "The Future of In-Store Technology.”
The students were accompanied by Lecturer Katie Horvath, who led the case study. Professor Jon Phillips, the department chair, also attended to support the students. All expenses were paid for by the NGA Education Foundation.
The NGA is the national trade association representing independent retail and wholesale grocers. The annual NGA Show brings members together with food retail industry executives, manufacturers and service providers for networking and education.
Three students, including Barragan, attended last year’s NGA Show, but did not participate in the case study competition, planning instead to join the 2020 event.
The ABM department hopes to send another team of students to participate in the next NGA Show in March at Las Vegas.