ITW Food Equipment Group Announces Grand Prize Winner of Save Your Kitchen 2025

Ft. Worth, TX (August 28, 2025) – ITW Food Equipment Group, parent company of Baxter, Hobart, Traulsen, and Vulcan, is pleased to announce that Mason City Schools (MCS) of Mason, Ohio, has been named the grand prize winner of the 2025 Save Your Kitchen contest. This nationwide initiative provides K-12 schools with premium equipment to help modernize and improve their food service operations.

Serving over 10,500 students across only 5 buildings, MCS stands out for its large student population, cultural diversity, and commitment to excellence. With students speaking more than 75 languages, the district’s food service team plays a vital role in supporting students’ success through nutritious meals and exceptional service.

“We were thrilled!” said Rachel Tilford, School Nutrition Supervisor for MCS’ food service department. “Our staff-especially those who will use the new equipment- were overjoyed. Our maintenance manager, who works tirelessly to keep our older equipment running, was especially excited about receiving multiple pieces of high-quality ITW food equipment.”

The new equipment will be installed in Mason High School, where it will enhance efficiency, expand warming capacity, and support their fast-paced operation that ensures students have time to eat while enjoying a wide variety of culinary options. The district plans to add a door-style dish machine to a second kitchen and replace an aging warming cabinet.

MCS has long-trusted ITW food equipment brands, including Hobart dish machines and Traulsen milk coolers. “I’ve been a loyal ITW food equipment buyer for many years,” said Rachel Tilford. “Both the people and the equipment are reliable, professional, and easy to work with.”

Looking ahead, MCS plans a serving area renovation in summer 2026, aiming to create a modern, sophisticated look that reflects the district’s commitment to innovation and student well-being.

The Save Your Kitchen contest continues to empower K-12 school food service teams across the country. Rachel Tilford’s advice to future entrants? “Dreams DO come true! It happened for us, and it could happen for you. Always look for ways to improve your operation- your students deserve the very best!”

The sweepstakes are open to K-12 nutrition professionals in the 50 states and Washington, D.C. This year’s sweepstakes offers a variety of products, including Traulsen refrigerators, freezers, hot food holding cabinets, and milk coolers. Additionally, participants can win a Centerline by Hobart slicer, mixer, food processor, or a Hobart food processor. A Vulcan heated holding cabinet will be awarded in all four sweepstakes. The July sweepstake exclusively featured a Baxter Mini Rotating Rack Convection Oven and a Hobart AM16T base dish machine.

ABOUT TRAULSEN

Traulsen, an ITW Food Equipment Group brand, has been providing the most trusted refrigeration equipment for food service and food retail operations since 1938. Traulsen engineers a broad refrigeration product offering that includes reach-ins, roll-ins, undercounters, blast chillers, prep tables, merchandisers, and milk coolers. Traulsen is part of ITW Food Equipment Group LLC (a subsidiary of Illinois Tool Works) and is proud to be an ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year since 2008. To learn more about Traulsen, visit www.traulsen.com or connect with us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/traulsen.

ABOUT HOBART

At Hobart, an ITW Food Equipment Group brand, people and food are our passion. We believe great food brings people together, and the relationships we share feed our inspiration to be the best we can be for one another. As a food equipment manufacturer and service provider, we’ve been dedicated for more than a century to supporting those who are not only passionate about creating great food but are inspired by the people they serve and come to know on a daily basis. Likewise, it is our mission to provide premium food equipment that food service and food retail professionals can trust to work hard and deliver quality, consistent results day in and day out, empowering them to focus on what they love most- creating great food for great people. Backed by our nationwide network of 1,500 factory-trained service technicians, we’re always nearby to install, maintain, and service your equipment. Hobart is part of ITW Food Equipment Group LLC (a subsidiary of Illinois Tool Works) and is proud to be an ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year since 2008. Explore Hobart by visiting www.hobartcorp.com, connecting with us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/hobartfoodequipment, or by contacting your local Hobart representative at 888-4HOBART.

ABOUT VULCAN

Masterful design. Precision performance. State-of-the-art innovation. For more than 160 years, Vulcan has been recognized by chefs and operators throughout the world for top-quality, energy-efficient commercial cooking equipment that consistently produces spectacular results. Trust Vulcan to help make your culinary creations turn out just right-each and every time. Vulcan is part of ITW Food Equipment Group (NYSE: ITW). For more information, visit vulcanequipment.com.

ABOUT BAXTER

Reliable performance. Smart innovation. Trusted results. Since 1958, Baxter has delivered high-quality commercial cooking and baking equipment designed for consistency and efficiency. From rack ovens to proofers, our solutions help kitchens produce exceptional results- batch after batch. Engineered for precision and built to last, Baxter equipment supports culinary professionals in creating authentic experiences with every bake. As part of the ITW Food Equipment Group (NYSE: ITW), we’re proud to bring proven technology to foodservice operations worldwide. Baxter- where tradition meets innovation. Learn more at baxtermfg.com.