Meet Gunnar Sigge, the New President of IFT
Gunnar Sigge, PhD, has been appointed as the new president of the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT). He is currently serving as the associate professor and head of the Department of Food Science at Stellenbosch University in South Africa. Sigge takes over from Peggy Poole, PhD, who recently completed her term as president.
Jeffrey Varcoe, PhD, senior vice president at The J.M. Smucker Co., will succeed Sigge as the president-elect and is set to begin his term as IFT president on Sept. 1, 2027.
Sigge has been an active volunteer at IFT for many years and has been a prominent figure in the South African Association for Food Science and Technology (SAAFoST) since 1997.
Expressing his excitement about his new role, Sigge stated, “We are facing incredibly complex challenges in the global food system, and collaboration is key to addressing them. I look forward to leveraging IFT’s ability to connect professionals in the food science community to tackle these challenges and shape the future of food.”
Prior to his appointment as president, Sigge served on the IFT board of directors and contributed to various initiatives within the organization.
Aside from his involvement with IFT, Sigge has been active in other scientific organizations in South Africa, focusing on food processing, wastewater treatment, water sustainability, food safety, and more. He has also played a significant role in developing Stellenbosch University’s master’s program in food and nutrition security.
With a background in food science and years of experience in academia, Sigge is well-equipped to lead IFT and contribute to the advancement of the food science community.
Varcoe, the incoming president-elect, brings a wealth of experience in food manufacturing and a strong commitment to the profession. His background includes leadership roles at Schwan’s Co. and involvement in various professional organizations.
Varcoe expressed his gratitude to the IFT community for their support throughout his career and emphasized the importance of giving back to the profession.
Both Sigge and Varcoe are poised to lead IFT into the future and drive innovation and collaboration within the food science industry.