Congratulations to Niles City Schools Food Service Director Scott Danchise for being selected as the 2024 Food Service Director of the Year by The Nutrition Group (TNG)! Danchise is one of seven directors within the Nutrition Group organization to receive the award. Altogether, around 400 Food Service Directors across the country work with TNG. “Winning this award means a lot to me and the rest of the professionals I work with,” Danchise says of the recognition. “I am happy to have such great leadership through The Nutrition Group and the Niles City School District.”
To be considered for the award, directors must demonstrate leadership, understanding of TNG’s core values, be trustworthy, provide quality service and product, and effectively manage budget and cost. TNG Regional Manager Jackie Belczyk nominated Danchise for the award saying, “Scott is an exemplary director, demonstrating leadership and effectively implementing the vision of The Nutrition Group within the Niles City School District by providing quality food to students and staff while building relationships and mentoring new TNG staff. He is a stand-out leader for the future growth of our company.”
Danchise has spent 34 years in the food service industry, beginning his career when he was 13 years old as a busser and dishwasher for various restaurants. He attended Hocking College in Nelsonville, Ohio where he earned his Associates Degree in Culinary Arts. He was the Director of Culinary and Nutritional Services at Ohio Living before joining the Niles City School District as Food Services Director in May 2022. Danchise oversees food service operations in all four district buildings and works collaboratively with head cooks in each building to create menus, order products, and manage food costs. To help generate interest in school meals and food options in general, Danchise has implemented Wellness Wednesdays and Farm to Fork days and plans menu items around national food days, such as National Cheeseburger Day. “I was taught at a young age how to work in the kitchen but I really enjoy seeing people happy,” says Danchise. “I love it when someone gets happiness over eating food that I helped prepare!”
During the 2023-24 school year, the district served more than 117,000 breakfast meals and nearly 207,000 lunches between all four schools. An additional $70,645 was sold in ala carte items.
Congratulations to Mr. Danchise, and his staff, on this outstanding recognition!
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About The Nutrition Group: The Nutrition Group (TNG) provides food service and facility management services for K-12 schools, senior programs, early childhood programs, healthcare facilities, summer feeding programs, and correctional facilities across Ohio and Pennsylvania.