Newton Falls Schools Serves 200,000th Free Meal Under the Community Eligibility Provision Program

October 22, 2025

Newton Falls Exempted Village Schools is proud to announce a major milestone — the district has officially served its 200,000th free meal since joining the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) program at the start of the 2024–2025 school year.

The decision to participate in the CEP program was made by Superintendent Dr. Andreas Johansson in the fall of 2024, ensuring that every Newton Falls student, from kindergarten through grade 12, receives free breakfast and lunch each school day, regardless of household income.

What is CEP?

The Community Eligibility Provision is a federal program administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). It allows schools in eligible communities to provide breakfast and lunch to all enrolled students at no cost to families. Districts qualify based on community-level data rather than individual applications, eliminating the need for meal forms and reducing stigma among students.

Dr. Johansson emphasized the importance of the program:

“A student who is well-fed and nourished is a student prepared to learn and accomplish their goals. Joining CEP was about equity, dignity, and making sure every Tiger starts the day ready to succeed.”

Beyond the Basics: Nutrition and Global Connection

Newton Falls Schools’ food service program has evolved far beyond traditional cafeteria fare. Through a partnership with The Nutrition Group, the district offers a variety of fresh, balanced meals — from classic comfort foods to themed cultural lunches designed to expand students’ global awareness through cuisine.

Recent menus have included dishes such as a “Ramen Bowl from Japan”, “Fiesta Taco Bar”, and “Pasta Italia”, alongside familiar student favorites. These themed lunches help students connect with cultures from around the world, one meal at a time.

Additionally, all field trip lunches are provided free of charge, ensuring that no student misses out on learning experiences or nutritious meals — even outside the classroom.

A Team Effort

The 200,000-meal milestone wouldn’t be possible without the dedication of the Newton Falls cafeteria staff, who prepare and serve hundreds of meals daily across all school buildings.

Kim Cassidy, Vice President of The Nutrition Group, praised the collaboration and vision behind the program’s success:

“It’s an honor to partner with Newton Falls Schools in their mission to support students through nutrition. Dr. Johansson and his team recognize that food plays a foundational role in learning. Our goal is to make every meal both nourishing and exciting — from menu planning to purchasing to kitchen logistics — so that students can focus on what matters most: learning and growing.”

Cassidy added:

“Serving 200,000 meals in just over a year speaks volumes about the commitment of Newton Falls’ cafeteria staff and leadership. This is what happens when a district truly invests in its students.”

Fueling Learning, Feeding Tigers

From grab-and-go breakfasts to creative international lunches, Newton Falls Schools continues to make student wellness a top priority. Every tray served represents not only a meal, but a message: You belong here.

Dr. Johansson concluded:

“Our food service staff are heroes in aprons. They greet our students every morning with a smile, make sure no one goes hungry, and play an essential role in helping our Tigers thrive.”

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Employee Resources

Ed Caswell

CEO, Majority Owner

Ed stands by a solid brand promise: “At The Nutrition Group, we try to do exactly what we say we will do. No surprises. Guaranteed.”

The Nutrition Group began when Walter McGrew and Ed Caswell purchased a small division of Potter McCune in June of 1975. Walter needed someone that would help grow Nutrition Inc. Providentially, Ed was in the right place at the right time. Walter offered him the opportunity to help grow the new business along with a share of the company. Ed enthusiastically accepted and became Vice President. The early years were characterized by transition, from a volume-based commissary operation to bid-based contract catering and then to contract food service management.

As with any successful business, many hours were invested, much experimentation was tried and many lessons were learned. The main key to early success was hiring quality, team-oriented management personnel and nourishing and encouraging their personal and professional growth.

Mr. McGrew retired in the early 1980’s and divested his interest to Ed in 1991. The leveraged buyout necessitated creative capitalization beyond bank financing. As it turned out, the idea to sell stock to key management personnel remains a powerful component in the company’s success. This has allowed The Nutrition Group to maximize growth opportunities and improve operational capabilities. Being an actively involved owner of the company is energizing, it lights the fire of pride and commitment because it is personal.

The Nutrition Group has enjoyed continual growth guided by their top management leadership team, which has been another hallmark throughout the years of our management philosophy: a strong, dedicated and focused top management team. The corporation has developed teamwork structures and principles within all levels of our business and closely monitors and supervises daily implementation and progress.

Ed’s customer-first philosophy that fueled company growth from the beginning is still the driving principle today. The employees of The Nutrition Group embrace that philosophy in all that they do. Today, The Nutrition Group serves over 240 school districts across six states and has a Commissary Division serving daycare and Head Start children, Senior Centers and Healthcare facilities. Also, the Facilities Management Services division provides custodial maintenance management, capital project management and owner’s representative services.

Ed’s parents and grandparents passed on their entrepreneurial beliefs. He was raised in a business household. He is grateful to Mr. McGrew his first partner and business mentor. He is grateful to God, his wives, family, the many “Nutritionites”, customers, vendors and outside sources of inspiration – all of which helped him to grow and develop into the person God has graced him to be. Ed believes, “We grow more through our hardships than blessings, but we are grateful for both.” He is a man of faith whose resourcefulness, perseverance and leadership helped build The Nutrition Group.

The integrity and commitment of The Nutrition Group business model, focusing on trying to consistently please the customer and sincerely attempting to do what we say we are going to do, is what sets us apart from the competition.