Velda L. Largen was a high school home economics teacher and department head in Missouri. During her career she developed a World Foods course, which later inspired her to write the Guide to Good Food text and its supplements. Deborah L. Bence earned her Bachelor's degree in Home Economics Education from Miami University in Ohio, where she taught family and consumer sciences at the high school level. She also worked as editor for an educational publisher for almost 20 years, applying her teaching and subject matter knowledge to developing textbooks and supplemental materials. After Largen became ill, Bence continued to keep Guide to Good Food current while also teaching students in various settings.