Thanks in part to contributions from members of the Genuardi supermarket family, the University of Delaware College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANR) celebrated the grand opening of the 3,600-square-foot Charles A. Genuardi and Patricia Genuardi Food Innovation Laboratory earlier this spring.
This new research and innovation space includes equipment for UDairy Creamery dairy processing and cheese production, as well as a student test kitchen.
This facility will allow students to learn entrepreneurial and food production skills that will carry them from the classroom to a multitude of career opportunities beyond the University.
The UDairy Creamery was established in 2008.
“Their idea was, ‘Let’s start an entrepreneurial activity where our students can learn how to innovate and run a business,’ ” said CANR Dean Mark Rieger. “The primary product of the Creamery is always the well-educated student; the byproduct is the ice cream and now we will have a whole lot more byproducts with cheese, and eventually butter and yogurt.”
The Genuardi family established Genuardi’s Family Markets in the 1920s and their first privately-owned supermarket opened in 1954. The business expanded over the years and was managed by several generations before selling the business to Safeway in 2001.
Charles and Patricia Genuardi are long-time supporters of the college, establishing an endowment in 2005 to support CANR students interested in food marketing, sales or management. In addition to philanthropy
Dairy Plant Manager Jennifer Rodammer (second from left) gives tour to guests at the recent unveiling ceremony.
“I felt like I never really left campus. We are so proud to be part of the university and its future,” said Charles, who earned his bachelor’s degree in food business in 1970 (now food and agribusiness marketing and management). “We have a special interest and pride in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. We are fortunate to be able to give back in this way. Thank you to all of the teachers, administrators and students that will enjoy this facility.”
The UDairy Creamery educates entrepreneurial UD students through the production and sale of premium ice cream made from the milk from the cows on UD’s dairy farm. This new facility will allow the Creamery to begin producing cheese and other dairy products, boasting a newly remodeled floor plan with processing utilities, vat pasteurization, cheese making and sanitation equipment and a quality assurance laboratory. A food science test kitchen is also now available for students and faculty to work on projects, coursework and research.
