Hormel Foods announces 2022 Hormel Heroes Scholarship recipients

(ABC 6 News) – Hormel Foods Corporation announced the recipients of this year’s two $10,000 Hormel Heroes Scholarships.

Kristal Qualls and Rose Picard are the recipients of the scholarships which support students with military backgrounds pursuing careers in culinary arts or a foodservice management program. It is administered by the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF).

Qualls is an active member of the U.S. Army for the last 2 years. She is in her second year of her bachelor’s program at Vincennes University, majoring in culinary arts with a concentration in baking and pastry arts. Her goal is to make a positive impact on those who have the passion to learn about the culinary industry through accessibility and equitable programs. Qualls hopes to one day open a restaurant with a bakery included.

Picard is a military veteran who served as a sergeant first class in the U.S. Army, U.S. Army Reserve and National Guard. She is in her final year of her bachelor’s program at The Culinary Institute of America, majoring in applied food studies with a concentration in baking and pastry. She is working toward her goal of being a baking instructor at the university level. Picard is a second-time Hormel Heroes scholarship recipient.

“At Hormel Foods, we believe in accessible education and are honored to support our military members in their career aspirations as a thank you for their service,” said Mark Ourada, group vice president of Foodservice at Hormel Foods. “These scholarships are a small way to show our appreciation for students who serve or have served our country and are pursuing careers in the foodservice industry.”

Hormel says recipients of the Hormel Heroes Scholarships bring an added focus to the men and women who have served in the U.S. military. Hormel Foods has a long-standing tradition of supporting veterans and active-duty military members that dates back to company founder George A. Hormel.