Grounded in the Gospel call to feed the hungry and uphold the dignity of every person, Nutritional Development Services (NDS) was founded in 1973 to respond to the urgent needs of children and families experiencing poverty. NDS emerged from the work of the Cardinal’s Commission on Human Relations (CCHR) with a clear mission: to ensure equitable access to nutritious food as a matter of justice and not charity alone.
In its earliest years, NDS advanced this mission by partnering with government agencies to serve meals in inner‑city parochial schools. Through innovation, including the development of a heat and serve model, NDS met federal nutrition standards while providing children access to healthy meals necessary for growth and development.
As hunger and food insecurity extended beyond school walls, NDS expanded its work in communities facing economic and social challenges. Programs grew to include The Community Food Distribution Program, summer and child care meals, food cooperatives, farmers’ markets, urban gardens, and services for seniors, immigrants, and families experiencing homelessness—reflecting the Church’s teaching that authentic Christian love takes concrete form in charitable works—not as optional “extra,” but as an essential expression of the Church’s life and mission.
Under the leadership of its founder, Patrick Temple‑West, NDS embraced a broader vision of accompaniment and partnership. Guided by the belief that hunger is a shared moral responsibility, NDS helped establish cornerstone food‑relief institutions such as the Greater Philadelphia Food Bank (merged with Philabundance in 2005) and Share Food Program, strengthening a regional network dedicated to providing food assistance to all.
Today, as a ministry of Catholic Charities of Philadelphia, NDS continues to embody the Church’s call to stewardship by nourishing both body and spirit through meals, wellness initiatives, and nutrition education. More than fifty years after its founding, NDS’s legacy remains rooted in faith‑driven action—affirming that access to nourishing food is fundamental to human dignity, community health, and the full development of all people.