A class like no other: Food marketing students visit 36 companies in two weeks

KALAMAZOO, Mich.—Imagine it—two weeks, 36 companies and 360 alumni and industry connections for food marketing students. This is the Great Lakes Food Industry Tour. 

And the group of 20+ students who participate experience highs and lows akin to a family vacation, including great conversations, getting on each other’s nerves, being hungry, sharing great food experiences and creating relationships and memories that transcend the trip itself, according to Dr. Russell Zwanka, director of the food marketing program. 

The tour has been a rite of passage throughout the decades for Western Michigan University food marketing majors. Why has this Experience-Driven Learning opportunity had such staying power for generations of food marketing students? 

“There is no other opportunity to make this many valuable contacts in such a short period of time, and the food marketing program’s connections to the industry are exactly why we have 100% job placement,” says Zwanka. “Our alumni are completely willing to help our current students learn the ins and outs of this awesome industry. Every student who goes through the tour tells the next cohort it’s a must.” 

As a long-standing tradition, the tour has evolved in multiple ways. Students now get a quick but impactful visit at each company, with hands-on opportunities to learn at each stop, including a focus on current industry trends. The strong mix of retailers, brokers, distributors and consumer goods companies gives students a taste of multiple areas of the food industry. Companies include Coca-Cola, C&S-SpartanNash, Fresh Thyme, Garrett Popcorn, KeHE,  Mars-Kellanova, Meijer, Mondelez, PepsiCo, Planters, Sysco, The Kraft Heinz Company—to name just a few. A new addition to the company roster this year was McDonald’s headquarters, due to alumni working there and high interest from students.

“When I changed my major to food marketing, the food industry tour was one of the many reasons I decided to switch,” says Jo Taylor from Greenville, Michigan. “It is a class like no other. We were truly taken care of at every company, and each employer was just as excited to meet us as we were to meet them. The tour lived up to every expectation I had and more. I am so grateful to have gained valuable industry connections and firsthand insights into all things food marketing, while earning class credits. I highly recommend this experience to anyone who is a part of the major.” 

Hearing from professionals in the field in different types of companies—but in rapid succession—helped underscore many messages for students as they get ready for internships, courses and professional roles. 

“My biggest takeaway from the tour was seeing everything we have been learning in the classrooms come to life,” says Jaylie Querfurth from Coloma, Michigan. “We visited a broad range of companies that helped us connect the dots from start to finish on how products move, as well as the inner workings of the brand itself. The industry tour expanded my knowledge of how many ways I can apply my skills after graduation. There are so many more routes to think about as I head into my senior year.”

The most important byproduct of the tour is the bonding that happens among students with each other and with program director Zwanka, who wears the title of both faculty member and “team dad” proudly.

Students agree that the connections with each other are just as important as the time with professionals. 

“The tour strengthened my relationships with fellow students,” says Isabella Wasniewski from Lake in the Hills, Illinois. “It really gave us the opportunity to spend a lot of time with each other both during and outside of the scheduled visits. At the end of each day, we either explored the cities where we were staying or spent time together as a group. This helped everyone get to know each other on a more personal level. I strengthened existing friendships and got closer to people I didn’t know as well before.” 

“Students become fast friends on this tour,” says Zwanka. “The first week in Chicago is the glue that starts to cement the relationships. The shared time on the tour leads to future career discussions, life discussions and more. After the tour, the students are meeting every week for Food Marketing Association events, travel to Ireland together for the food marketing study abroad course, support each other as they go through internships. It’s all part of the growth. In the food marketing program, we have the network of professionals that lead to great careers and the personal bonds that make us a family.”

The Great Lakes Industry Tour is an exclusive offering in the food marketing program. 

Contact Dr. Russell Zwanka to learn more. 

For more WMU news, arts and events, visit WMU News online.