Why Choose Us

We are a true people-to-people company.

Our team focuses on offering the best customer service so that you can deliver the best products to your end consumer. The Nutrition Group’s business philosophy is rooted in gratitude for our employees and sincere appreciation for our clients. We put you at the center of everything we do.

Passionate People

We truly care about your success. Our passion for nutrition, the wellness and overall health of students is unmatched. We will always treat you as a member of The Nutrition Group family. Our upper management team is active owners in the company, which means they are involved in daily operations and have vested interest in your success. While the daily team in our schools cares for every single student as if they were our own kids.

Smiling headshot of Chef Guy.
Jessica Anzelone Headshot

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We measure our success in terms of customer satisfaction.

JESSICA ANZELONE,
Managing Director

Innovation in the Kitchen

Today’s students are sophisticated. They care about everything from wellness to sustainability. They expect an on-trend menu that offers them an array of fresh, chef-crafted entrees. Our menu options are constantly setting new standards in choice and taste. Wraps and salads are made with the freshest ingredients; pizza is made fresh every day. Scratch cooking is our specialty, from chef-crafted dishes like General Tso’s mac & cheese to pumpkin hummus bistro boxes. It’s delicious every day with us. 

General Tso’s mac & cheese 
Green baskets of apples

Fiscal Responsibility

We provide unmatched value to our clients through proper procedures and controls, methods of operation, development and training. Our corporate buying power also allows us to get the best prices for products that will fill your kitchen. Most importantly, we are extremely conscious of your budget, working closely with you to determine the best approach for your organization.

We do what we say we’re going to do

We treat every person the way we’d want to be treated. Our clients will tell you that the caliber of people in our organization, and the family atmosphere that we foster, is incredibly unique to The Nutrition Group. Since we are a second-generation, privately owned company, we can make decisions in your best interest; not worrying about shareholders. And with our third generation of leaders already active as leaders, business will always stay that way. We care for our people, and they will in turn care for you and your customers. 

Front entrance to the Nutrition Group Building
A young girl working in a community garden.

This is our community, too

Our regional managers are a key part of our focus on customer service. Currently located throughout the states we serve (PA, OH, MI and SC), our managers live and work in your community. Each is focused on a smaller concentration of clients. And every school has a Director of Food & Nutrition who is actively working in your schools every day. Whether they’re planning events for students or chopping fresh veggies in the morning, our team is committed and local. 

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“I have day to day contact with the wonderful people who make The Nutrition Group a success here. They are always receptive of any and all questions and favors asked of them by our school. In addition, and most importantly, I speak to the students and they truly enjoy the food. It makes me happy that we have the opportunity to provide great meals to our students.”
Dr. Anthony Guariglia, Assistant Principal
Wilkes-Barre Area Career & Technical Center
“The Nutrition Group uses a business model that emphasizes positive attitudes and professionalism among their staff, goal setting by center directors, and harmony and caring cooperation with constituencies, especially seniors. We have received only compliments and positive comments regarding their management of the senior activities centers.”
M. Veil Griffith, Administrator
County of Cambria Area Agency on Aging
“We view our home delivered meal program quite simply – we must deliver a hot meal to every client every day regardless of what impediments may occur at any given time. We have quickly learned that The Nutrition Group takes this responsibility just as seriously as we do and that gives us tremendous confidence.”
Robert Burns, Executive DirectorDauphin County Area Agency on Aging
"I've always had very good experiences with The Nutrition Group personnel at every level. Should something arise within Food Services, the supervisors are always available to assist. Additionally, if I need to contact someone at the next level, I'm always treated wonderfully."
Brian T. Uplinger, Superintendent of SchoolsJohn DoeHazleton Area School District
"We turned to The Nutrition Group’s FMS division to assist us in outsourcing our custodial staff. We have found their employees, staff, administration and management to be responsive and professional in meeting our needs. They worked with us throughout the process and continue to work with us today as we meet the needs of our students.”
Patrick J. Gavin, Superintendent of SchoolsOil City Area School District
“The Nutrition Group set themselves apart from other food service management companies based upon their competitive cost proposal and proven experience with public school food service operations. We partnered with them to address the serious deficiencies in our food service operation and they have made significant improvements since assuming responsibility for this account.”
Curtis O. Richards, Business ManagerLebanon School District
“The Nutrition Group is able to not only efficiently comply with the state guidelines, but they also have worked effectively and professionally with our staff in addressing our needs and requirements. They have seamlessly perfected the art of Senior Meal Nutrition.”
David Steele, Deputy Director
Office of Human Services, Cameron, Elk and McKean Counties
“The Nutrition Group consistently seeks feedback from staff and consumers and is always open to considering new food choices and innovative approaches to attract the younger senior population.”
Lon R. Wible, Deputy DirectorCounty of Lancaster, Office of Aging

Debunking Myths

Are you feeling a bit hesitant to hire a food management company? Allow us to debunk common management myths so that you can feel completely confident in choosing The Nutrition Group for your food service and management needs.

Truth: The Nutrition Group realizes that one of our best resources for success is the years of experience that current employees have. We will work with you to assess employees and make staffing recommendations when necessary.

Truth: Working with a food management company will most likely save you money. Our corporate buying power gives us a one up and allows you to still offer fresh foods and quality, brand name products. We also offer payroll solutions and program efficiencies to offset costs and help you resolve any challenges.

Truth: Everything we do is completely customized. We develop unique menus based on your feedback and end-user input so that there is total customer satisfaction and increased participation.

Truth: The government regulates the management company’s profits. Therefore, we will not control your money. We offer flat fees upfront, with no hidden costs, so that you know exactly what to expect.

Truth: By identifying strengths and weaknesses of your existing program, we partner with you to establish and achieve your food service goals. We do not want to control your kitchen, but rather make recommendations based on our expertise so that your program is as successful as possible.

An African American female chef working in a kitchen.

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Get in touch to learn more about our services and offerings!
Feel free to contact us anytime – we’re here to help.

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580 Wendel Road, Suite 100
Irwin, PA 15642
724.978.2100
1.888.272.8106

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.