Nutrition Ink Magazine | Winter 2022

Investing Future

Volume 31 | Number 1

IN OUR

How mentor programs and student work opportunities help shape our success.

WINTER 2022

Same Great

Ham & Cheese Panini

FAVORITES! At zero cost to you for the 21/22 school year!

‘Tis

Season

THE

Bringing back magical holiday celebrations to your cafeterias!

Wild

School Lunch ABOUT

National School Lunch Week ‘21

Notes

TNG | LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT

from

Nancy

“Typically, a New Year brings new resolutions, and as a company we’ve set some goals that we’re quite excited about!“ NANCY KOHL President

@TNGMadPres

Annually, we set a company-wide theme for the year and encourage our employees to read the book from which that theme originated. This year, we focus on The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.

You know from our board report and other communications that we’ve been focused on product procurement, staffing and labor shortages and cost controls to name a few. As we continue to monitor all those things in the coming year, we’re eager for more! This year is about getting back to the things that make us GREAT. For us that means getting back to our roots … introducing more special events and the special touches that set us apart and delight our customers. As you read through this edition of the newsletter, you’ll notice we’re already off to a great start.

On behalf of the leadership of TNG, we extend our thanks and wish you all a Happy New Year. Thank you for your allowing us to be your food service provider and supporting us with unwavering trust.

We could not do it without you!

The Nutrition Group | 580 Wendel Road, Suite 100, Irwin, PA 15642 | TheNutritionGroup.biz | 1.888.272.8106

Wint e r Contents 2022

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BACK TO SCHOOL

Getting back into the classrooms and cafeterias with our same great favorites that students love!

MOMENTS MATTER

Our corporate initiative to embrace opportunities that make a difference for those around us.

WILD ABOUT SCHOOL LUNCH

Celebrating National School Lunch week 2021!

October 11 - 15, 2021.

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INVESTING IN OUR PEOPLE Building and maintaining a team that works.

THE NUTRITION GROUP

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HOLIDAY CELEBRATIONS

Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas 2021 events and happenings.

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TNG GETS SOCIAL

Find out what’s happening in a cafeteria near you!

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THIS AND THAT

Highlighting daily happenings and fun experiences in our schools.

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TNG | BACK TO SCHOOL

Back School TO

Delicious. Nutritious.

Our same high quality, healthy food is available at

ZERO COST TO YOU for the 2021/2022 school year!

For nearly 50 years, we’ve provided high quality, healthy and delicious food.

This year is no different, only those meals are available at zero cost to you.

Your support for more meals served means more funding and resources available for your school district to help sustain your school’s food service program. Together we can ensure that all kids in our community have access to the same healthy, nutritious meals!

Welcoming back everyone for the 2021/2022 school year was so exciting! We certainly missed all of the smiling faces!

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TNG • NUTRITION INK

The Nutrition Group was invited to the first annual Meet and Greet held at Mount Carmel’s Silver Bowl Stadium. Students were able to spin the wheel for prizes and hear about all the great things we have to offer in the cafeteria. The HS kitchen manager dropped by to show her support!

Mount Carmel School District Mount Carmel, PA

Spirit week was September 20-24, 2021 at Salem City Schools. In honor of Maryann Mason, one of our cooks/servers, we did Twin Day in style. We all dressed in our Quaker t-shirts support Maryann, who is currently battling Pancreatic Cancer.

Salem City Schools Salem, OH

Wellsboro Area School District Wellsboro, PA

West Allegheny School District Imperial, PA

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TNG | #MOMENTSMATTER

THE NUTRITION GROUP

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CENTRAL DAUPHIN SCHOOL DISTRICT

INDIAN CREEK LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

South Side Elementary Harrisburg, PA

Indian Creek Middle School Wintersville, OH

Upon our visit to South Side Elementary on October 20th, we were impressed by the upbeat and positive attitudes we encountered. Heather and her team had everything set up for lunch and it all looked delicious.

The kitchen was clean and organized. Despite all the difficulties faced this year with staffing and supplies, everyone was working together to provide great food to the students of South Side Elementary School.

This building has faced and overcome extraordinary challenges in the past years serving a large number of students out of a limited kitchen. They have stepped up to every opportunity in the past from serving breakfast in the classroom to adding a third satellite line to helping throughout the COVID feeding period. It was also great to see them utilizing the hard plastic serving trays. We appreciate their dedication and hard work.

Middle School staff were the Moments Matter winner!

The staff does an amazing job exceeding the students’ needs. They are the go-to kitchen to try new things!

They always accept any tasks given to them and execute them perfectly! Always upbeat and work as a team. The morning cashiers get the students going every morning with a “dance party”. They play kidfriendly music and create a happy environment when the students first get to the building.

TNG • NUTRITION INK

In addition, they are crushing their daily breakfast and lunch budgets. Doubling and sometimes tripling breakfast and almost doubling lunch daily!!! Way to go Middle School staff!

Our corporate-wide initiative to embrace opportunities, whether small or large, throughout the day to make a difference for those around us. Little did we know, we had started a movement that would spread from townto-town, showing our districts that we are more than food service – We are part of the community and truly care for those we serve.

Sharon City School District Sharon, PA

LOWER MORELAND SCHOOL DISTRICT Lower Moreland Township School District Huntingdon Valley, PA

Wilkes-Barre Area School District Wilkes-Barre, PA

The classroom visit with the life skills student in November was make your own pockets! The students were able to choose from a few different ingredients including proteins, sauces and veggies to make two pockets, one for lunch and one to share with a family member. After the students enjoyed their pockets, we chose two favorite recipes to make and sell at their store, Coco Loco, the following day. The winning flavors were Pizza Pocket and Chicken Parm Pocket.

The students had a great time making the pockets and sold out of them the next day!

Wilkes-Barre Area School District Wilkes-Barre, PA

TNG | NATIONAL SCHOOL LUNCH WEEK

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) serves nearly 30 million children every school day. President John F. Kennedy created National School Lunch Week (NSLW) in 1962 to promote the importance of a healthy school lunch in a child’s life and the impact it has inside and outside of the classroom. During this annual week-long celebration, SNA members and students around the country will celebrate in their cafeterias, schools and districts with special menus, events, student activities and more.

The 2021 NSLW theme, WILD About School Lunch, invites creative and fun new menu items while appealing to the universal popularity of animals and nature to appeal to students in all grade levels.

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National School Lunch Week October 11-15, 2021

Crawford Central School District Meadville, PA

Lordstown Local School District Lordstown, OH

Saint Marys Area School District St. Marys, PA

Charleroi Area School District Charleroi, PA

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TNG | EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT

Streetsboro High School Streetsboro, OH

Building and Maintaining

NOW HIRING APPLY TODAY! • Competitive wages • On-the-job training • No evenings/weekends Apply Online at TNGCareers.com

a team that works.

Labor shortages and staffing are a nationwide problem. While no one is immune, TNG has developed multiple recruiting strategies to fill voids when needed. More importantly, though, is our continued pro-active approach to establish a workplace that is attractive to current employees where they can grow and thrive.

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TNG • NUTRITION INK

Professional Development Days Yough School District, PA

Training & Development When employees feel confident in their work responsibilities, they perform their job effectively and take pride in daily duties, resulting in positive outcomes. TNG provides multiple platforms for hourly and management staff to continuously fine tune skills, stay up to date on industry standards and fulfill USDA Professional Standards Requirements.

Jennifer Zeigler Susquenita School District

Career Advancement Nearly 15% of our hourly employees grow into full-time management roles.

That means that anyone that wants to grow with us has the opportunity!

Mentor Program TNG Mentor Program – Internal growth and stability are an inherent part of TNG’s culture. Our newest program supports this by pairing senior management with food service directors to cultivate employee development. A stronger management structure translates to stability for our clients among many additional advantages.

Employee Appreciation Throughout the roller coaster of the pandemic, we are continually amazed at the dedication and hard work of hourly staff. As we evaluated what brought them to work each and every day during unprecedented circumstances, we witnessed a common theme: Feeding children in a time of crisis is their first priority. To show our gratitude for their tenacity and determination, and for hourly staff to know that we value each and every one, we are excited to announce our TNG Cares Award program that will launch in January.

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Discovering Favorites NEW

Behind the scenes with the TNG Purchasing Team and Chefs as they find new, exciting foods to introduce to students.

Each year, brokers and vendors present showcases where our Purchasing Team, Dietitians and Chefs taste foods from a variety of manufacturers. Corresponding information about each product, including nutritional value and cooking instructions is evaluated. While cost is also a consideration, manufacturers are not locking in prices at this time.

From there our team determines which new products to introduce to students through taste testing events.

#WeAreTNG 12

TNG • NUTRITION INK

Poland Local Schools Poland, OH

Northwestern Lehigh School District New Tripoli, PA

Sayre Area School District Bradford County, PA

Wheelersburg Local School District Wheelersburg, OH

Hempfield Area School District Greensburg, PA

Northeast Bradford School District Rome, PA

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Frazier School District Perryopolis, PA

East Palestine School District East Palestine, OH

West Allegheny School District Imperial, PA

Mount Pleasant School District Mount Pleasant, PA

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TNG • NUTRITION INK

Barnesville Schools Barnesville, OH

Wilmington Area School District Wilmington, PA

Gratitude doesn't begin to describe how we feel about our students, food service & support staff, teachers, and administrators.

We're Thankful for YOU! Southern Local School District Salineville, OH

HOLIDAY

This year’s holiday celebrations were twice as nice because the kiddos are back in the schools. It was fun to deck the halls, host surprise visitors and guest carvers, and enjoy lots of seasonal silliness!

The Elementary Café celebrated Christmas with Frosty the Snowman on December 15th . The café staff served pancakes with sausage and the students were given items like marshmallows, chocolate chips, carrot shreds and pretzel sticks so they could build their own snowman. Frosty the Snowman made an appearance giving the students a treat bag of hot chocolate popcorn and a special gift to one lucky winner.

Clarion Limestone School Strattanville, PA

Our district enjoyed breakfast with some very special visitors, Mr. and Mrs. Claus! Santa said we have the best tater tots around and our 300+ participants agree!

Millersburg Area High School Millersburg, PA

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SOCIAL MEDIA | #WEARETNG

@TheNutritionGroup

TNG_Corporate

@TheNutritionGroup

SOCIAL MEDIA We are excited to share all of the great happenings in our school cafeterias! Sneak a peek here and view various events, delectable foods, and fun memories that we create for students! Each district has its very own social media accounts on either Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. Want to see more?

Follow The Nutrition Group on social media for the latest events in your schools!

@tng_danielbooneareafs

DANIEL BOONE AREA SD

Teaming up with DBASD Health & Wellness Coordinator to provide Healthy Offerings for our Staff & Faculty

@tng_lowellville

LOWELLVILLE LOCAL SD Students are getting a special holiday treat with lunch today!!

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TNG • NUTRITION INK

@tng_southern

SOUTHERN LOCAL SD

Huge Shout out to Southern Local Cafeteria for their hard work today (and everyday) making our Holiday Lunch! Thank you Ladies! #TngCares

@Zeps_Cafe

SHENANDOAH HIGH SCHOOL

SHS Cooks getting Thanksgiving 2021 underway. #LunchLadiesRock

@tng_sebringlocal

SEBRING LOCAL SD

A little non-traditional fun today! #merrychristmasyafilthyanimal

@tng_st.marysarea

SAINT MARYS AREA SD

Who’s wild about school lunches???

I know these guys are! Join us for lunch this week and the Elementary students have a chance to win a wild about lunch cup!

@Barnesville

BARNESVILLE SCHOOLS Thanksgiving Feast today at the elementary was a hit! #HappyThanksgiving #tngcares

@TngWilmington

WILMINGTON AREA SD

The contest is on... Wilmington cafeteria staff are participating in a serving line decorating contest!!

@eastpalestinecafeteria_tng

EAST PALESTINE HS

It was a perfect day to host our annual #friendsgiving! Happy Thanksgiving!#tngcares #tngfeedskids

@CafeLordstown

@tng_kiski

KISKI AREA SD

One of our fan favorite breakfast items to start off PSSA testing today at South Primary!

@tng_franklintowne

LORDSTOWN LOCAL SD

Fresh Fruit snack at the elementary school today is cantaloupe! Did you know that cantaloupe grow on vines?

FRANKLIN TOWNE CHARTER

Let’s get popping. Let’s warm up with some fresh popped at the elementary school on Thursday, December 9th!!

Welcoming NEW DISTRICTS

@tng_sharpsville

SHARPSVILLE SD

We LOVE field trips as much as the students loved the dirt pudding today. #tngfeedskids #sharpsvillemiddleschool

We’re grateful for our continued partnerships with our current clients and are pleased to partner with the following districts:

• Aurora City Schools, OH • Bedford Area SD, PA • Green Local SD, OH • Laingsburg Community SD, MI • New Lexington SD, OH • Northwestern Leigh SD, PA • Schuylkill Intermediate Unit, PA • Schuylkill Technical Center, PA • York Learning Center, PA

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TNG | THIS AND THAT

This smiling student packed his meal, but also tried our Fiestada Pizza, Milk, Banana, and Carrots as part of The Lunch Box Helper program!

Conneaut School District Crawford County, PA

sharing fun finds across our schools!

Discovering New Favorites and winning special prizes!

Crawford Central School District elementary cafeterias celebrated Nutrition for Life from October 18 – October 20. During Nutrition for Life Kindergarten students are invited to enjoy a delicious, nutritious lunch in the cafeteria. Special prizes were included with their meal each day.

Crawford Central School District Meadville, PA

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TNG • NUTRITION INK

Intervention Specialist teacher, Mr. Hirshey, had two students that wanted to make a pizza to represent the different parts of a cell with a nucleus. We helped them create a learning and edible version of what they wanted to show for the parts of a cell.

Mr. Hirshey, Taylor and Jonathon worked together to create their “learning lunch”.

Liberty-Benton High School Findlay, OH

Spotlight on Aurora Schools is a segment produced by the district highlighting happenings within the schools. This edition focuses on the new partnership between Aurora Schools and The Nutrition Group bringing more delicious and nutritious food to the district.

Aurora City Schools Aurora, OH Scan this code with your smartphone’s camera.

WATCH NOW!

Health & Nutrition Class in the Kitchen

Mrs. Myers Health and Nutrition class stopped by the Eagle Inn and HS Cafeteria to learn about the cafeteria operations, National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs, meal requirements, and what makes up a meal. Together they made Buffalo Chicken Dippers and learned about measuring different types of ingredients!

Tyrone Area High School Tyrone, PA THENUTRITIONGROUP.BIZ

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NOW

SERVING

GREAT JOBS

What We Offer: Competitive Wages On-Site Training Uniforms Provided Safe Environments Recognition Programs Advancement Opportunities Apply online now at TNGCareers.com or simply scan the QR code to the right with your mobile device or tablet.

TNG 888.272.8106 | TheNutritionGroup.biz |