Here are our most frequently asked questions. If you need further support, reach out to our team.
Application Questions
Eligible participants include U.S. residents up to age 20 as of June 2026. No particular credentials are necessary for nomination.
Nominees need to be under 20 years old (as of June 2026) to be considered for the 10 under 20 Food Heroes Award. There is no minimum age requirement to participate.
Applications for the the 2026 10 Under 20 Food Heroes opens April 28th . Interested participants must submit applications by June 5th.
No. All applications must be submitted through the nomination form found on the 10 Under 20 website. We do not accept applications submitted through any other means including email, fax, or mail.
The 10 Under 20 Food Heroes selection process takes place in three rounds:
Round 1: All applicants are evaluated based on the criteria below:
How closely is the nominee’s work tied to food-related issues?
- We are looking for individuals who are passionate about addressing food insecurity, whether they have pioneered projects to feed communities in need, or volunteered with other organizations. A commitment to the issue of food security will be highly valued.
Is the applicant working with or created a 501c3 nonprofit? * - We are looking for individuals who have their boots on the ground, whether they have created a nonprofit focused on fighting food insecurity or whether they work closely with one to get the job done.*Applicants that do NOT own or operate a 501c3 are still encouraged to apply!
Is the applicant 20 years of age or younger?
- We are looking for applicants who are 20 years of age (as of June 30th) or younger.
Round 2: The top 15 applicants from round one are shared with a panel of three judges and evaluated based on:
- Leadership – We seek individuals with strong leadership skills, eager to mobilize and inspire others to join their cause, as well as a willingness to share their stories. Our nominee’s ability to rally a team and navigate challenges will be acknowledged.
- Innovation and Creativity – We are searching for changemakers, who have harnessed creativity and resourcefulness to make a tangible impact on their community and inspire others.
- Community Impact – We are seeking individuals who have made a tangible impact on their communities.
Round 3: The top 10 applicants will receive an email confirming they have won along with initial award details. Award recipients must confirm acceptance of the award and confirm their participation in the trip to Hormel Foods headquarters (Austin, Minnesota) to receive the full award package.
In order to accept the 10 Under 20 Food Hero award and receive the full benefits you must:
- Respond to your congratulatory email by the deadline provided in the email.
- Confirm that you can attend the award ceremony at the Hormel Foods headquarters in person.
- Be 20 years of age (as of June 30th) or younger at the time of applying.
General Questions
- In 2020, we set out to highlight young changemakers under the age of 20 years old championing for change in their communities. These 10 students worked diligently, designing and implementing innovative strategies aimed at creating a more transparent, secure, and sustainable food system.
- As a global branded food company, our goal is to invest in the work of food insecurity related issues while helping to secure larger coverage opportunities. The 10 under 20 award provides support including mentorship, internship opportunities and executive advising meetings and other hands-on experiences for nominees.
Our 10 Under 20 Food Heroes are creative problem-solvers, passionate about food security work, and leaders amongst their peers! Food Heroes are eager to rally others to create meaningful change within their communities and shape the future in a positive way. If this sounds like you or someone you know, then apply using the nomination form.
Recipients of the 10 Under 20 Food Heroes award can use the grant towards any food security focused nonprofit organization of their choice! We also encourage winners to share their experience during their visit to headquarters with their network.
If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to Global-Impact@hormel.com
We know that our members are involved in many activities and have school responsibilities. For this reason, we have designed the award activations to be done in your own free time. How much time you want to volunteer and share ideas with others is completely up to you!
As a Food Hero you will:
- Receive a Grant: You will receive a $2,500 grant to benefit a food-focused nonprofit that is most meaningful to you.
- Hosted Trip to Hormel Headquarters: Hormel Foods will provide reimbursement for trip expenses including flight, hotel, meals, and car rentals during the award ceremony travel period for the award recipient and one (1) parent/guardian. Minors must be accompanied by a parent/guardian in order to attend.
- Mentorship: During your visit to Hormel Foods Headquarters meet with Hormel Foods Executives and ask the questions you want.
- Career Pathing: Learn about opportunities at Hormel Foods like internship programs that include communications, finance, or data science.
- Network: Become part of a network of individuals fighting food insecurity.