Director of Food & Nutrition
My journey with TNG is a long and interesting story.
I began working at School Lane Charter as a lunch aid in 2010. At this time, the school had their own chef running the lunch program. When the opportunity presented itself, I applied to be a food service worker. Shortly after this transition, the chef was let go and another management company came in and took over the lunch program. I was not aligned with the way the company was running things, so after five years with School Lane, I decided to move on and look for another job.
I found a food service worker position with The Nutrition Group at Lower Moreland School District. I interviewed and was hired for the position. While I was waiting for my clearances, I received a call from a gentleman at The Nutrition Group. He informed me that TNG had just taken over the food service program at School Lane Charter. He asked if instead of starting at Lower Moreland, I would be willing to come back to School Lane to help with the staff transition. Being afraid of change and being very comfortable at School Lane, how could I refuse?
I began working with TNG at School Lane in March of 2015. I worked in the elementary kitchen, the middle school kitchen, and then I quickly moved from food service worker to Kitchen Manager. I then moved over to the newly built high school as the kitchen manager, a move I was very excited about. By this point, I had worked in every position in every building.
Then, in the summer of 2018 another opportunity presented itself. I was asked to be the Director of Food & Nutrition. This was a difficult decision for me. I loved what I was doing and who I was doing it with, and the schedule allowed me to be a part of my kids’ extracurricular activities. This was very important to me. But life is about change and I welcomed the new role.
I had been with TNG for only three years and had moved from food service worker to kitchen manager to director. But I had the support of my RM, Sarah, who I had known since TNG took over and my former director, Logan. I knew they would be there for me and help guide me through another transition. I have always felt supported and valued with TNG which is something I did not experience with the former company.
Now, almost 11 years later, I have been the Director of Food & Nutrition for over seven years and a Regional Mentor and couldn’t imagine working anywhere else.
- Nancy Ryan
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.
