Stop & Shop endows $100K to Framingham State for diversity scholarship

Photo | Courtesy of Stop & Shop Stop & Shop President Gordon Reid

Write a Comment

Stop & Shop President Gordon Reid on Wednesday presented Framingham State University with $100,000 to establish what will be known as the Stop & Shop Scholarship for Diversity in the Field of Food & Nutrition, an endowed fund to provide financial assistance for students studying to become registered dietitians.

In announcing the fund, the grocery store chain cited statistics from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics’ Commission on Dietetic Registration, which indicate 71% of registered dieticians in the United States are non-Hispanic white, and 3% are African American.

“We chose to partner with Framingham State University in this effort because of their commitment to recruiting and retaining students of color in this program,” Reid said in a statement. “Together, our aim is to break down historic barriers in the field of nutrition, so that more aspiring dietitians of color advance and ultimately create lasting change in the field and in our communities.”

To apply for the scholarship, students enrolled in the food and nutrition program at Framingham State, who have significant financial need, will be required to submit a one-page essay about their commitment to health equity and diversity in their communities, per the announcement.

“Framingham State has a long history of educating students who are passionate about food, fitness, health and nutrition,” said FSU President Javier Cevallos, in a statement. “This new scholarship opportunity will allow us to enhance our commitment to racial equity and provide new opportunities to traditionally underserved populations.”