re: Anyone know of any Louisiana food companies that employ food scientist

Funny thing is not many people know that Food Science is a scientific discipline.
I have a Master of Science in Food Science from LSU. After graduating from LSU I starting working at Diversified Foods and Seasonings (was in Metairie...now in Madisonville, Mobile and Nebraska)...then went to Atlanta for a year to work with Fresh Express (packaged salads)...left came back to NOLA and started with Sara Lee in their coffee and tea division...JM Smucker (Folger's Coffee) acquired SL last January - am still there..Started in QA and R&D and now am the Plant Manager. Like some of the OP said, need to research all companies...plenty around, some big some small:
Coke, Pepsi. Zapps, Louisiana Fish Fry, Bruce Foods, Tabasco, Folgers Coffee, Reily Foods, Community Coffee, Chisesi Ham, Manda Meats, Diversified Foods and Seasonings, Big Easy Brads, King Creole, John Folse, Baumer, Paul Prudhomme, National Fruit Flavor, some poultry plants in north LA, The Wright Group, Mizkan, Zatarains...hope this helps.
If looking in the NOLA area, post your email and we can connect...like to see a resume...may be able to help out!!!