You read about the ninth class to be inducted into the Maryland Food Industry Hall of Fame last month in this paper, but since this column had already gone to press, we will mention it again. It’s an honor to be in the Hall of Fame, so it bears mentioning again.
Five notables from the Mid-Atlantic were inducted into the 2011 Hall of Fame class. They are: Bruce Bereano, Maryland lobbyist; Bob Burris (posthumously), Burris Retail Logistics; William Hupfeldt (posthumously), Esskay; Roy Marks, Shoppers/Food-A-Rama; and Food World’s very own Jeff Metzger.
A wonderful ceremony was held at Martin’s West for the event. In case you missed it, you should make it a point to attend next year. It brings many of the “old timers” together with the current food industry people. It’s a terrific event and it’s a lot of fun to mingle with both the “old” and the “new.” And as in past years, it was emceed by the publisher of this paper, Jeff Metzger.
Here’s some news that shows just how much the food industry has changed over the years. The Food Marketing Institute (FMI), the American Meat Institute (AMI) and the United Fresh Produce Association (UFPA) today announced the co-location of their premier trade shows – the FMI Exhibit and Education Event, the AMI International Meat Poultry and Seafood Convention and Exposition, and United Fresh – beginning in 2012 at the Dallas Convention Center in Dallas, Texas.
The AMI Expo will be held April 30-May 3, 2012, and the FMI Exhibit and Education Event and United Fresh will be held May 1-3, 2012.
The three shows will offer their own exhibit halls, as well as unique education programming for their own attendees. The new partners will also explore potential joint programming and networking events.
The American Meat Institute (AMI) represents the interests of packers and processors of beef, pork, lamb, veal and turkey products and their suppliers throughout North America. Together, AMI’s members produce 95 percent of the beef, pork, lamb and veal products and 70 percent of the turkey products in the United States.
United Fresh Produce Association (UFPA) in the pre-eminent trade association for the produce industry in managing critical public policy issues; shaping legislative and regulatory action; providing scientific and technical leadership in food safety, quality assurance, nutrition and health; and developing education programs and business opportunities for members to better meet consumer needs for increased consumption of fresh produce. UFPA was founded in 1904.
FMI’s retail membership is composed of large multi-store chains, regional firms and independent supermarkets. Its international membership includes 200 companies from more than 50 countries. FMI’s associate members include the supplier partners of its retail and wholesale members.
The FMI Education and Exhibit Event is the largest and most comprehensive food industry conference and exposition in North America, attracting approximately 450 exhibitors and more than 10,000 attendees from close to 100 countries.
The AMI Expo attracts all levels of the meat and poultry industry including executives, plant managers, purchasing agents, engineers, researchers and operations managers.
The United Fresh show will attract 300 exhibitors and 5,000 attendees.
We also understand that the National Grocers Association (NGA) will be co-locating its 2012 IGA Global Rally with the N.G.A. Show in Las Vegas this year February, 12-15, 2012.
For years, NGA has been the only industry association devoted exclusively to the needs of the independent sector. If you are an independent grocer or in any way connected to the grocery industry, the show provides you with an unparalleled opportunity to network, learn, and advance your company. You will come away with new ideas, perspectives, and solutions to tackle your most challenging business issues.
These two great programs are a wonderful opportunity to connect with even more of the industry’s best independent retailers, wholesalers and dedicated trading partners. Visit www.iga.com to learn more and register.
The National Frozen & Refrigerated Foods Association (NFRA) elected its officers and members of the board of directors 2011-2012 at its 67th annual membership meeting and luncheon held in October in Orlando, FL.
John Larsen, VP dairy and refrigerated, Safeway, Inc. was elected chairman of the board. Larsen has served on the board since 2006. He served as vice chairman-refrigerated from 2008-2009 and as chairman-elect in 2010. He is also a member of the Distinguished Order of Zerocrats.
Other officers sworn in at the Association’s 67th Annual Meeting were: Bob Branham, General Mills, chairman-elect; Scott Haws, Land O’Lakes, secretary; Ray Tarnowski, Philadelphia Warehouse & Cold Storage, treasurer; Scott Rouse, Tyson Foods, vice chairman-frozen; and David Welch, Winn-Dixie, vice chairman-refrigerated.
Newly elected to the board were: John Farmer, Global Dairy Products; Kathy Mondloch, Save Mart Supermarkets; Steve Ostrander, Crystal Farms; Sean Reid, Schwan’s Consumer Brands, North America, Inc.; Ron Schwennn, Roundy’s Inc.; Joy Sgro, Bozzuto’s; and Craig Sharer, Heinz U.S. Consumer Products.
Elected for a second term on the board were: John Arnold, Sargento Foods; David Davis, Welch’s Foods; David Epps, Sara Lee; Ken Gipple, Kraft Foods; Brian Haley, Burris Logistics; John Mastropaolo, Dannon Company, Inc.; William Mayo, Wakefern Food Corporation; Joseph Mrozek, Pinnacle Food Group, LLC; and Louise Yerian, Nestle U.S.A.
The Restaurant Association of Maryland announced the winners of the awards bestowed at the 57th Annual McCormick & Company Stars of the Industry Awards Gala. This annual gala is a spectacular event of industry recognition that brings together more than 600 of hospitality’s best and brightest to spotlight the industry’s influence and food service opportunities.
This year’s winners were: restaurateur – Billy Carder, BJ’s on the Water (Ocean City); chef – Brian Boston, The Milton Inn, (Sparks); favorite bar or tavern – Fish Tales (Ocean City); pastry chef –
Isaiah Billington (Baltimore); wine and beverage program – Victoria Gastro Pub (Columbia); favorite restaurant – B&O American Brasserie (Baltimore); favorite restaurant – Sunset Grille (Ocean City); green restaurant – The Crab Shanty (Ellicott City); allied member of the year – Payce Payroll represented by Brian Pfeifer; Brice & Shirley Phillips Lifetime Industry Achievement Award – Lawrence Wilhelm, (Friendly Farm Style Restaurant); Schellhase Award – William King III, The Crab Shanty; McCormick Cornerstone Award – Galaxy 66 Bar & Grille (Ocean City). Glory Days Grill (Gaithersburg), The Greene Turtle Sports Bar and Grille (Edgewater), Graul’s
Market & Cafe (Lutherville), Moxie Bakery & Cafe (Frederick);,Phillips Seafood (Baltimore) and Ri Ra Irish Pub (Bethesda).
Maryland Hospitality Hall of Honor inductees included – Brewer’s Alley Restaurant & Brewery (Frederick); Double T Diner (statewide); The Greene Turtle Sports Bar and Grille (statewide); the Grille at Harryman House (Reisterstown); and Schmankerl Stube Bavarian Restaurant (Hagerstown).
The Restaurant Association of Maryland (RAM) celebrates 75 years serving the restaurant and foodservice industry by maintaining core principles.
In 1927 a small group of Baltimore area restaurants met to deal with the challenges facing the economy and the foodservice industry. Today, RAM is a 2,000 member strong statewide trade association .
For more information of the Annual Industry Awards Galas or a complete list of nominees, please visit www.marylandrestaurants.com or contact Jennie Silver, manager of marketing and special events by calling 410-290-6800.
Anniversary wishes go out to Russ and Joan Reynolds, Supervalu, their 37th; Michael and Juli Finkelstein, Associated Services, their 28th; Todd and Amy Sibel, Hook-Me-Up Marketing, their 18th; Jerry and Ligia Chadwick, Guest Services, their 34th; Peter and Maisie Wall, friends of Food World, their 49th; and Dave and Fran McElroy, Food World’s New England correspondent, their!
All of us at Best-Met Publishing thank our readers and advertisers for making 2011 an exciting and very interesting year and for letting us be a part of this wonderful and crazy business. You are all wonderful and very generous people. A very happy, healthy and joyous holiday season to each and everyone of you. See you 2012!