Women in Food Safety (WIFS), a community dedicated to empowering and advancing women in the food safety industry, has achieved official designation as a nonprofit organization. This milestone coincides with WIFS’s fifth anniversary, marking a new chapter of growth and impact.

Founded in 2020, WIFS has evolved into a global network of more than 1,500 professionals, offering mentorship, advocacy, and connection for women at all stages of their careers in food safety. With nonprofit status, WIFS is poised to expand its educational initiatives, strengthen industry partnerships, and deliver new resources that support long-term professional development.

“From day one, our mission has been to build a supportive community where women in food safety can connect, thrive, grow, and lead,” said Melody Ge, WIFS Founder. “Becoming a nonprofit allows us to take this mission to the next level—expanding opportunities, increasing our reach, and continuing to advocate for inclusivity and leadership in the industry.”

Over the past five years, WIFS has hosted dozens of networking events, launched the Roots to Success scholarship, and introduced the Community app, a platform for women to share their voices and experiences. As a nonprofit, WIFS will further its efforts to:

• Expand mentorship and leadership programs for emerging food safety professionals
• Offer scholarships and career resources to support women entering and advancing in the field
• Strengthen partnerships with universities, companies, and industry associations
• Drive thought leadership on inclusion, food safety culture, and the future of food safety and quality.

WIFS, which can be found at www.womeninfoods.org and on LinkedIn, invites members, partners, and allies to join in shaping the next chapter of its mission to elevate women in food safety.

For more on WIFS, listen to a discussion featuring Ms. Ge (alongside WIFS Co-founder Jacqueline Southee, Ph.D. and WIFS member Jill Hoffman, M.S.) about the work of WIFS, and how women professionals in food safety can support themselves and each other, on a bonus episode of the Food Safety Matters podcast, here.