Food Industry Management (B.S.)

The Food Industry Management major is an economics-based degree focused on food, hunger, and sustainability — but applicable to any industry and field around the world. 

The major gives students the flexibility to choose courses related to their individual interests in agri-food systems, marketing, food industry sales or global food security.

CURRENT STUDENTS: Connect with your academic advisor for advising appointments or to change your major/minor.

Set up a personal meeting to learn more!

FoodIndustryMgmt

Core areas of study include:

  • Food and commodity sales.
  • Retail systems and management.
  • Food product and commodity marketing.
  • Micro- and macroeconomics.

Learn more about requirements and courses in Food Industry Management.

Apply to Michigan State University!

Food Industry Management Graduates

See career outcomes for MSU food industry management graduates, including salaries, top employers and employment locations.

Career Opportunities

The food industry employs nearly one in six professionals in the United States with new positions opening daily for analyst, management, marketing and sales positions.

Food Industry Management prepares students for a variety of career paths.

  • Marketing specialist.
  • Data analyst.
  • Brand manager.
  • Distribution and logistics manager.
  • Account executive.
  • Retail store manager.
  • Wholesale and retail buyer.

Faculty members and advisors maintain close relationships with food industry companies, which can help with internships, scholarships and employment in related fields.

Q&A with FIM Senior Jillian Jacobs

April 12, 2020

Jillian Jacobs is a senior majoring in Food Industry Management and was recently awarded one of AFRE's "Outstanding Senior" awards.

Alumni Highlights: Paul Vilker '14

March 31, 2020

We interviewed MSU AFRE Food Industry Management alumnus Paul Vilker 14' about his time in the program and how it helped prepare him for his current job.

Food Industry Management Advisors

Schedule advising appointments online. Advising is Wednesday afternoons 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. There is no Express Advising during the summer.

More details: MSU Student Information System resources.

Student Life

In addition to student jobs and internships, there are education abroad and undergraduate research opportunities.

There are also a variety of student clubs and organizations including:

  • Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources Education Club.
  • Collegiate Farm Bureau.
  • Food Marketing Association.
  • Leadership in Environment and Agricultural Fields.
  • Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences.
  • National Agri-Marketing Association.

Apply to Michigan State University!

Human Health Majors

  • Biosystems Engineering (B.S.)

    The Biosystems Engineering program combines biology with engineering to ensure there is safe and plentiful food, clean water, renewable energy and a healthy environment.

  • Dietetics (B.S.)

    The dietetics program helps students develop expertise in nutritional assessment and care, as well as food service management systems.

  • Food Industry Management (B.S.)

    The Food Industry Management program provides a system-wide perspective of managerial problems confronting firms in the food industry, recognizes the increasing interdependence among such firms and focuses on creating consumer value.

  • Food Science (B.S.)

    Food Science is a multidisciplinary field applying chemistry, microbiology, engineering and nutrition to develop new food products and design processes to improve the safety and quality of foods.

  • Nutritional Sciences (B.S.)

    Nutritional Sciences focuses on the biological and physical sciences of nutrition and its relationships to human health with concentrations in biomedical and molecular nutrition, global nutrition and health and public health nutrition.

  • Packaging (B.S.)

    Packaging is a multidisciplinary program focused on all aspects of the industry from materials and processes through systems development and testing.

Undergraduate

People

News

Prospective Students

Resources

  • Spartans Will.
  • © Michigan State University
Michigan State University wordmark

MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer, committed to achieving excellence through a diverse workforce and inclusive culture that encourages all people to reach their full potential.

Michigan State University Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status or veteran status. Issued in furtherance of MSU Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Quentin Tyler, Interim Director, MSU Extension, East Lansing, MI 48824. This information is for educational purposes only. Reference to commercial products or trade names does not imply endorsement by MSU Extension or bias against those not mentioned.

The 4-H Name and Emblem have special protections from Congress, protected by code 18 USC 707.

We comply with the Federal Trade Commission 1998 Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA).