About Us

Diane Melano Ph.D. - Founder

Integrative Nutritional Therapist, Certified Spiritual Coach, and

Head of Fermentation

Let's do this: I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis at 27 which turned my life inside out and upside down. In May of 2023, I was diagnosed with Primary Lateral Sclerosis (a type of motor neuron disease that causes the nerve cells in the brain that control movement to fail over time. Like the slower form of ALS)

I have a Ph. D. (Microbiology with an emphasis in fermentation and Functional Nutrition Behavioral Science), am a certified Spiritual Coach, and am currently enrolled to become a Grief-Trained Counsellor.

I'm a recovering perfectionist and an autoimmune ally. I have a Functional Nutrition practice, Melano Nutrition where I help people re-energize and find real health without restriction. It is my mission to help others overcome whatever they may be confronting while empowering and connecting through delicious, healthy foods. Research is my passion and am constantly learning from the leaders in both food science and nutrition industries and stay up to date with the current research.

Fun Fact: When I laugh, I laugh wholeheartedly, head back, and guffaw without shame. Life has been hard for me at various points, but through it all, I’ve always kept my passion for joy.

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Jorge - Bakery Manager

Jorge is the guy that keeps us going. The Master at veggie dehydrating and milling the flours at The Beneficial Bakery, he is responsible for biscuits/scones and creamers, the operations of shipping, all of our logistics, and making our base ingredients. He offers laughter, support, and assistance, and tracks inventory like a boss. His favorite item that we make is our coffee cake (which he co-developed with Diane)!

Fun Fact: he loves Call of Duty, Doctor Who, and road trips.
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Theresa - Assistant Baker

Theresa is a Richard Stockton University graduate and has been teaching French at EHT HS for the last 8 years. She started baking for fun for her family and expanded to baking for her students to let them experience a little taste of France. She loves animals--all animals, has two amazing dogs and a rabbit, and volunteers at her local shelter whenever she can. She has a fondness for power sports and can usually be found outdoors with her dogs and boyfriend or at the gym whenever she has free time.

If you have ever had a cookie from the bakery, made by Theresa! Every cookie is made by her!

Fun fact: She is an amateur bodybuilder and took 1st in novice at her first show last spring. She hopes to take first again this fall and earn her pro status next spring.

Tyler - Full Time Bakery Supervisor

Born and raised in Atlantic County. Went to Rutgers University. Worked as a pastry chef in a few restaurants in Atlantic City. I ride my bike everywhere. I like making cheesecakes. I have a dog named Poopsi. I spend my free time reading, drawing, playing video games, and testing new recipes. Big fan of the Philadelphia Eagles.

Tyler works diligently at making sure the bakery runs smooth, and along with Jorge makes bagels, he also makes all of the delicious English Muffins, and has a hand in almost every bake here!

Arteah - Customer & Online Operations

My pronouns are she/her and I’m a Filipino-American student in California, finishing up my senior year of high school and taking my first classes through community college. In my spare time, I love searching for new music, playing with my little sister and my dog Lillie, folding origami, and watching terrible movies with my friends.