NATIONAL FOOD GROUP & ZEE ZEES ALLEVIATE STUDENT MEAL DEBT FOR FAMILIES ACROSS THREE STATES

Over $100,000 in debt relief and product support awarded to schools in Illinois, Florida, and Utah through Grab The Tab grants.

NOVI, Mich., April 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- National Food Group, a leading K-12 food distributor and the company behind Zee Zees® better-for-you snacks, has announced the latest recipients of its Grab The Tab grant program, providing critical student meal debt relief and product support to schools in Illinois, Florida, and Utah.

Together, these grants total over $100,000 in debt relief to further support school meal programs. Schools receiving the grants include:

• School District U-46 – Elgin, IL – $51,384
• Columbia Elementary (Jordan School District) – West Jordan, UT – $11,842
• Newsome High, Randall Middle, and Tinker Elementary (Hillsborough County Public Schools) – Tampa, FL – $38,168

"We are incredibly grateful for this generous grant, which will allow us to eliminate the school lunch debt for many of our students," said Shani Hall, General Manager of HCPS Student Nutrition Services. "The selected schools from our district are Purple Star schools, dedicated to supporting our military families. These three schools have the highest number of military families in our district. We take pride in assisting our families who serve in the Armed Forces, ensuring that every child can concentrate on their education as we provide them with a supportive learning environment."

"It is humbling to have someone from across the nation support our families," added Keith Klein, Principal at Columbia Elementary. "This money will fill a need and lift a burden off the shoulders of parents. At the end of the day, it's about helping kids."

Even with federal support programs in place, many schools still find themselves struggling to keep meal programs fully funded. Shifts in USDA policy, fluctuating budgets, and rising food costs leave gaps that districts must navigate and often at the expense of students. Grab The Tab was created in 2023 to step in during moments like these, offering schools practical, meaningful support when they need it most.

"This grant goes beyond dollars and cents—it's an investment in our students and our community," said Dr. Ann Williams, Deputy Superintendent of Operations at School District U-46. "By removing this financial burden, National Food Group is helping us direct more resources where they belong: to student success and well-being."

"School foodservice is the heartbeat of our local communities - ensuring students are fueled and ready to learn," said Samantha Bourque, Director of Corporate Social Responsibility at National Food Group. "Helping to erase meal debt is just one way we can support schools and families across the country, and hopefully leave a lasting impact."

Representatives from Zee Zees and National Food Group will visit each recipient school this spring to present grant awards and celebrate with school leaders, food service teams, and students.

ABOUT GRAB THE TAB & PROJECT SERVE
Grab The Tab is a key initiative of Project SERVE, National Food Group's corporate social responsibility platform. Through Project SERVE, the company pledges 5% of profits and employee time to improving food access, supporting foodservice career development, and advancing sustainability.

For more information about Grab The Tab, visit: https://zeezees.com/foodservice/grab-the-tab
For more information about Project SERVE, visit: https://nationalfoodgroup.com/project-serve

ABOUT NATIONAL FOOD GROUP
Founded in 1990, National Food Group is one of the fastest-growing wholesale foodservice manufacturers and distributors in the U.S. Its family of brands includes Zee Zees®, Fare Promise®, Elated Plates®, and Ultra Fit®, serving K–12 schools, healthcare providers, correctional facilities, and more. With flexible procurement programs such as Always Available®, Opportunity Buys®, and Commodity Processing™, National Food Group helps institutions serve nutritious, budget-conscious meals. Learn more at http://nationalfoodgroup.com.

Media Contact
On behalf of Zee Zees & National Food Group:
Nisha Bagepalli
[email protected] 

Program Contact
Samantha Bourque, Corporate Social Responsibility Director
[email protected]

SOURCE National Food Group