Treating Everyone Like Family is at the Root of Whitsons’ Culture
Posted on March 3, 2023
When it comes to employees, many organizations have issues with absenteeism, productivity, high turn-over rates, motivation and more. However, organizations with strong and healthy cultures have far less of these problems.
Great company culture doesn’t just happen. Its values must be nurtured over time and continuously developed through team member interactions at all levels of an organization.
At Whitsons, we believe in creating a culture that embraces diversity and recognizes the value of everyone’s unique backgrounds, talents and experiences. Treating people like family is not just a catchphrase—it is our way of being and makes our teams stronger.
Our Culture is Contagious
Many of our team members have been drawn to the company because of our positive culture. By prioritizing a positive and rewarding work environment, we have been able to retain many outstanding team members throughout the years. Here are a few testimonials from our team:
“In 2000, I was hired as a District Manager and began my long career with Whitsons. As Whitsons’ business in Connecticut started to grow, I was offered an opportunity to relocate there and grow the New England region. District by district, Whitsons grew in CT and then expanded into MA and NH. Throughout that time, I built great teams and fostered key client relationships. I felt at ease promoting Whitsons for its “people, food and communication” key promises because I always knew that this was a company that stood behind those values 100%. I am now the Senior VP of School Nutrition Operations of the New England Region. Without my DM and GM support in the field, my path would have been different, as each of them play a role in our regions’ success. I have always felt part of the Whitcomb family, as they have always treated me that way. I am forever grateful for the guidance and leadership they offered that helped mold me into the person I am today.” - John, SVP School Nutrition, New England
“I left my former company for career growth and to feel like my work had substance. I not only found both at Whitsons, but I discovered a great deal about myself along the way. I think the word that continually comes to mind when I think of our company is “trust.” From the very beginning, the Whitcomb family and entire company have trusted my judgment to represent the company with honesty and integrity. They have supported my decision-making and allowed me to grow while aligning with the company’s core values. I am forever indebted to Whitsons for 18 years of trust and for allowing me to be my authentic self along the way. I look forward to the next eighteen.” – Mark, Resident District Manager
“The reason I chose to continue my career at Whitsons was the opportunity for growth and the value Whitsons brings to the communities we serve. I have a passion for putting our students first. The moment I found out we were coming to Camden City School District, I was super ecstatic and happy to be able to give back to my community. I have family and friends in this community that look up to me every day. Coming back to Camden, I hope I have shown our students that if you work hard and never give up, anything is possible.” – Shakyra, General Manager
"When I first started at Whitsons back in 2015, I was 22 years old; unsure of what the next step in life would be; ignorant of the food service industry; and unaware that this decision would shape the rest of my life. I was originally hired as an hourly administrative assistant but through hard work, perseverance and a little bit of luck, I was able to work my way into an assistant manager position. This new role helped me to understand the importance of child nutrition programs, especially working in a community with a high poverty rate and a lack of food resources. Throughout my tenure, I was subjected to many different situations that gave me the experience needed to move to the next level. During the COVID pandemic, I decided to return to college to complete my Bachelor of Science in Nutrition to help bolster my chances of moving up into a general manager position. Then in 2022, an opportunity at a neighboring district arose and I was given the chance to move into the next stage of my career. This past year as a General Manager has provided me with so much joy and I’m excited for the future in Whitsons." – Roberto, General Manager
As Our Family Grows, We All Grow
Our mission of Enhancing Life One Meal at a Time™ means so much more than simply food; it’s also about fostering a sense of family values in everything that we do. Treating people like family has always been a part of the way we think and how we serve our communities. It is this invisible spirit of service to others that makes our mission more than just words.
Whitsons’ team members are devoted to our mission. Our efforts go beyond the food we serve, thanks to our amazing team who commit so genuinely to the communities we serve. We are so grateful to see them grow both personally and professionally at Whitsons, as they build the foundation of our partnerships.
When you join Whitsons, whether as a team member or a client partner, you become part of the Whitsons family. In fact, 98% of our team members have worked at Whitsons for over 5 years! It is this commitment and loyalty that speaks to the proud culture of the family values we believe in.
If you are interested in joining the Whitsons team or learning more about our services, contact us today!