Director of Food & Nutrition
I grew up working in the food industry. Service is something I have always been drawn to. I was working for another company when I stumbled upon the position opening with The Nutrition Group for the Kitchen Manager at Saint Joseph York. I submitted the application and heard back right away for an interview. I knew the moment I entered that kitchen that this was where I was supposed to be. The Regional Manager and Director that interviewed me were such a joy to be around. Beyond that though, they spoke the most amazing praises about working for TNG. I was offered the job on the spot and accepted!
While I was Kitchen Manager, I loved everything about it. The Crave Dayz, the amazing options the kids had to pick from, and my hard-working staff – all of this made every day a good day. I continued to learn more about the job and the opportunities ahead and expressed interest in growing with the company. The next year I was promoted to Operations Manager at Saint Joseph York.
The Operations Manager opportunity opened up all the doors to learn the back side of managing the account. I got to learn from other Directors and fellow employees at TNG.
This school year I became the Director of Food & Nutrition for Saint Joseph York. I have recently finished my training, and I am so happy with where I am in this position.
The Nutrition Group provides a supportive environment with opportunities to grow and develop within. I am blessed to be part of this amazing company.
- Heather Adams
Join a team that cares for each other like family.
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.
