National food group
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Our Story

National Food Group applesauce cup label

Finding Food A Home Since 1990

For over three decades, our team of experts has been developing innovative food service solutions with our customers

Our Mission

To find creative solutions that enrich relationships.

Our Vision

To become THE brand in the industry through ingenuity and enthusiastic execution.

Nourishing Relationships

National Food Group has built lasting relationships with our customers by providing high-value, high-quality food products for a full range of meal patterns and budgets. You can rely on us for food industry expertise, buying prowess, and a dedication to providing top-notch customer service.

Purchasing Allies

We form strong alliances by matching customer requests with vendor capabilities to source products that support a wide variety of needs. From traditional to trendy, we strive to find innovative ways to bring people and food together.

History

Like many companies, ours had a humble beginning in founder Bud Zecman’s modest basement. Bud had been working in the food industry as a broker, and he realized there was an opportunity to do business better and to be more customer-focused. In 1990, Bud made it his goal to make a company with the happiest and best fed customers in the industry!

Hard work and dedication run in the Zecman family. Bud’s son Sean, now CEO/President, came on board in 1996 to help his father achieve the goals creating an innovative and relevant company. After some years of food brokering, National Food Group found its stride in developing and distributing product lines in-tune with the needs of customers and manufacturers:

Over thirty years later, our company has sprouted into one of the largest national distributors of Opportunity Buys® within the wholesale food service industry. After Sean became CEO/President, the company went through another leap of growth expanding to include an office in Birmingham, Michigan. National Food Group has been recognized as one of the fastest-growing privately-owned companies in the United States, one of the 1% of companies to rank on the Inc. 5000 9 years in a row. Our company started with solid roots and continues to grow into a fun, forward-thinking, adaptable food service distributor. Thanks to the vision and efforts of Bud, Sean, and the entire National Food Group team.

From day one our mission has been to provide our customers with creative food solutions that enrich relationships. This has led us to be the industry brand that people depend on. 

We never settle and always push forward to do better for our customers, partners and each other.    ~Sean Zecman, President & CEO

Be A Part Of Our Club

Strong To The Core

What makes us unique among peers is the way we get results. It’s the spirit and substance we bring to the task at hand. That approach flows from our core values:

  • Innovation - Creativity and expertise fuel the entrepreneurial fire of our people
  • Integrity - Tell the truth and do what’s noble, always.
  • Relevance - Ask why. Say “yes” when it puts customer needs first.
  • Agility - Mental fitness takes focus. Stay in shape.
  • Fun - It’s contagious. Pass it on

Ultimately we aim to create a customer experience like no other. Our front-line team is empowered to answer your questions, bring solutions forward and simply get it right. We entrust our employees with the serious responsibility of delivering complete satisfaction. When genuine enthusiasm for your business and a flair for creative solutions come together, you can feel confident that success will follow.

Points of Distinction

  • Superior USDA and AIB warehouse ratings
  • 98% customer reorder rate
  • 100% product guarantee
  • Detroit Free Press Michigan Top Places to Work
  • Financially independent and family owned
 
Fast 50

Crain's Detroit Fast 50

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Learn more about Crain's Detroit Fast 50
 
Cool Places to Wrok

Crain’s Detroit Cool Places To Work

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Learn more about Crain's Detroit Cool Places To Work
 
Inc5000

Inc. 5000 - 10X club

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Learn more about Inc. 5000
 
Fast 50

Best Of MichBuisness Winner 2020

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Learn more about MichBusiness>
 

Programs To Suit Every Taste

National Food Group offers three core programs to make your food purchasing easy.

Our Family of Brands

At National Food Group, we’re continually collaborating with our partners and customers to source and develop innovative new items that meet your unique requirements. We deliver delicious ingredients and menu options that offer creative variety, save labor and reduce food waste for our customers.

Launched in 2016, Zee Zees® is better-for-you snacks for kids of all ages and continues to expand in the K12 foodservice and retail marketplace. New for 2019, we’re excited to announce two new brands to our family – Elated Plates™ and Fare Promise™. Together, these two food brands will serve up a wide array of menu options sure to satisfy food service kitchens everywhere.

Innovative Product Development

The real place for innovation is developing the new ideas, formulations and products that meet or exceed our customers’ expectations. We bring food scientists, dietitians, chefs and food sourcing experts to the table to develop, test, and refine products that fulfill specialized customer requirements.

Specialized Manufacturing

We collaborate with our customers to develop custom food lines that match nutritional trends, consumer preferences, government mandates, and tight budgets. Through our network of manufacturing partners, we can produce food items that can’t be found through other sources. Also, as a USDA nationally approved processor, we receive food commodities, such as apples and cherries, and convert them to single-serving products, such as applesauce and fruit cups for K-12 students.

National Delivery

Our robust distribution network spans all 50 states. We offer flexible delivery options to accommodate your special needs. Give us your specific shipping requirements and our team of logistics experts will find a way to meet them.

Our Promise

National Food Group is the food solution finder that advocates for your best interests by using their expertise to find great values, streamline the process, and provide great customer service.

Become A Customer

We work side by side with you to enhance the quality and flavor of the foods we develop and supply.

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