KENT Nutrition Group Marks 18 Years Working with Transition Program Students

MUSCATINE, Iowa (July 11, 2025) – In a way to create pathways to success, KENT WORLDWIDE has been a long-term supporter of the Muscatine High School (MHS) Transition Program, which creates work experiences for special education students. 
 
This school year marked 18 years of partnership between KENT and the MHS program. Small groups of students will typically come to work at our Marketing Services building (located on Park Avenue in Muscatine, Iowa) and help our team, including working on packing and shipping promotional items to be shipped to retailers around the United States. 
 
Sherry Reno, Tradeshow & Fulfillment Manager for KENT Nutrition Group, says she gets just as much, or more, out of it than the students.
 
“I love when [the students] get a level of comfort and trust here to the point they are asking, ‘what day do we go to KENT?’. I also make sure they have KENT T-shirts at the beginning of the year, which they proudly keep at school to wear when they are coming here for work," said Reno.
 
The MHS Transition Program is a comprehensive initiative, encompassing functional academic, life skill and vocational training with an overreaching goal to equip students with the skills needed to achieve maximum independence. One of the activities to advance independence includes practical tasks such as job skill development both on and off campus. 
 
“It is amazing to see some of them who may start the year and be very quiet and withdrawn, to the changes made at the middle to end of the year,” said Reno. 
 
Typically, the Marketing Services team has 3-5 students, twice a week for 1 ½ hours during business day, with two instructional coaches helping them. When a new group comes at the beginning of the school year, the Marketing Services team evaluates the skill level of the students and then assigns them working tasks throughout for the duration of the school year.
 
Some of the students' favorite things are snack time at the end of their shifts.  The Marketing Services team keeps a snack bin for the students, as well as water cups. 
 
A favorite activity for the students, is helping decorate the Christmas trees in the building's entryway, as well as enjoying a Christmas party together, and an end-of-year scavenger hunt. 
 
“I hope this program continues to grow, as I am working with a committee to help other businesses in town find ways to use it as well.  The kids gain great working skills and build social relationships, but at the end of the year I am always sad for the last day.  They do as much for us as we do for them!” said Reno. “I love running into graduates of the program out working at local businesses now, puts a smile on their face and mine when we see each other and I get to tell them how proud I am of them!” 

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About KENT WORLDWIDE™

Since 1927, KENT WORLDWIDE has been guided by a deep commitment to animal care, human nutrition, and doing what’s right — values that have shaped its evolution into a globally diversified company. Today, KENT WORLDWIDE is a recognized leader in the manufacture and marketing of ag-based specialty ingredients and trusted consumer products. Award winning and proudly family-owned, KENT WORLDWIDE is headquartered in Muscatine, Iowa, and led by third-generation CEO Gage A. Kent.