It’s stupendous! It’s colossal! It’s here! Welcome to the 35th annual Food Trade News market study. The numbers have been crunched, munched and digested; the final results are going to astound! Once again, the retail landscape in our market has changed as a long-revered chain has disappeared from view. In addition, we have expanded our footprint and for the first time we have added the stats for the Metro New York market as well as our usual New Jersey and Pennsylvania statistics. Still the definitive word in the retail food industry, Food Trade News and Food World remain the go to publications whenever expert opinion is required. Our publisher and fearless leader Jeff Metzger is quoted around the country and his opinions and insights on the industry are regularly sought after. His ability to remember every detail of every retail story from the past 35 years still amazes me as does his tireless push to give our readers the best he has to offer. As in each issue, it takes the efforts of every member of our team to produce our publications. The market study takes it to another level and our team deserves many thanks. I think I have said thank you to Terri Maloney, our VP-editorial, hundreds of times over the last five years but it’s never enough. Terri never fails to deliver and keeps all of us on track to produce a publication we’re proud of each and every month. Many thanks to our digital native, Karen Fernandez, director of marketing, who spearheaded the new look we premiered earlier this year and has fully entrenched us in the 21st century with both Facebook and Twitter accounts and a shiny new website where our readers can find us anytime from anyplace. Karen also makes sure our advertisers are represented in a way that keeps them coming back year after year. In November Kevin Gallagher joined us and he has been diligently working the Metro NY market ever since. You are a welcome addition to the team; you balance us and bring a new perspective to Food Trade News. Thanks to Matt Danielson and Jenny Jones at Eink who do the graphics for both publications. Their collective keen eye for translating what we want onto the page makes everyone’s job easier. To Beth Pripstein, our office manager, a thank you for adding the new readers to the Food Trade News subscription list I collect every time I am on the road (which is often). I send a big shout-out to our chairman emeritus Dick Bestany for his continued enthusiasm for the business and for his invaluable counsel. And finally to you our readers and advertisers, a grateful nod for your continued support on this market study and every one of the issues we publish each year. With this issue in particular we compile the data you need to know to make your business and marketing plans for the 70 county Food Trade News market. Mille grazie!
And the word of the year is…”NoMoPhobia”! Carol Christison once again wowed the crowd at the 49th International Dairy Deli Bakery Association’s (IDDBA) Foodie All Stars seminar and expo in Orlando earlier this month with her creative vocabulary and witty assessment of the current trends in the food industry. What is NoMoPhobia? It’s that panicky feeling one gets when one doesn’t have/can’t find one’s mobile phone. Considering that we do most everything from talking (but really who DOES talk anymore?) to banking to documenting our lives on our smartphones, just the thought of losing our phones can evoke panic! Carol also identified key shopper trends, including an emphasis on value, shoppers gaining confidence in their online shopping experience and an enthusiasm for peer influence, from social media, no doubt. She also talked about “upcycling” which makes new uses for old things and gave the example of what Whole Foods does with blemished fruit. They cut it up and re-sell it as ready to eat. This now accounts for 15 percent of their produce sales. Easy, right? For all the highlights from her speech, go to www.iddba.com. More than 8,500 visitors walked the floor visiting 1600-plus booths. The IDDBA celebrates its 50th show in 2014 in Denver. Mark your calendars now. It’s going to be fabulous!
You all know about my not-so-secret obsession with reusable bags for everything from food to office supplies. I thought I had seen everything, but in the generously provided goodie bag at the re-opening of Ron Murphy’s Beach Haven, NJ store, I found reusable produce bags from 3B Bags. What a find! So, off to the market I went with my bags in tow. The 3B Bags’ website says (and I believe): “The average American uses between 300-500 plastic bags a year, for an average of 12 minutes, before throwing them out. That adds up to 100-150 BILLION plastic bags used last year in the United States alone! The consumption rate of our plastic bag addiction is estimated at well more than 500 trillion plastic bags annually, or almost 1 million per minute. Four out of five grocery bags in the U.S. are now plastic. (That may change with Los Angeles now banning plastic grocery bags). The average family accumulates 60 plastic bags in only four trips to the grocery store. Only 6.8 percent of municipal plastic waste gets recycled in the U.S, while 63 pounds of plastic packaging goes into landfills in the U.S. per person per year. The 3B Bags packaging says “reuse once a week and reduce as many as 150 plastic bags per year – a sustainable way to bring your produce home.” And they’re washable; either by hand or machine and it won’t affect the tear weight of the produce they’re carrying. I’m a believer.
One retail chain committed to increasing the use of reusable bags is ShopRite. In collaboration with General Mills, they unveiled the grand prize winner of the “Designed to Fight Hunger” reusable bag design contest earlier this month at the ShopRite of Williamstown, NJ. In addition to having her unique design available on reusable bags in all 250 ShopRite locations, winner and Williamstown resident Katrice Sylvester also received a prize of $2,500, as well as a matching $2,500 donation to the Food Bank of South Jersey. Ms. Sylvester is a senior at Richard Stockton College of New Jersey studying graphic design. She entered the contest as a school assignment. “I have seen the effects of hunger firsthand and it is an issue that is very close to my heart,” said Ms. Sylvester. “I am so honored to be a part of this fight against hunger and it is my hope that this design speaks to the issue while motivating others to get out there and make a difference in the community.” To support its year-round, hunger-fighting initiative, ShopRite challenged up-and-coming artists to create original designs that could be featured on a reusable shopping bag to raise awareness of the issue of hunger. At the unveiling, customers were encouraged to bring a canned food item to donate to the Food Bank of South Jersey.
The retailers in our marketing area do so much to fight hunger that many of us don’t know about, especially when it comes to fresh produce. The Great Atlantic and Pacific Tea Co. (A&P) made a donation of 46,200 pounds of apples to the Community FoodBank of New Jersey to help feed the hungry in the local community. This donation represents the culmination of A&P’s participation in the Take a Bite Out of Hunger program sponsored by First Fruits Marketing of Washington. First Fruits Marketing of Washington created The Take a Bite out of Hunger campaign to help feed the underserved while bringing attention to the problem of food insecurity in the United States. This is the third year they have partnered with local retailers such as A&P to make donations to local food banks around the United States. “Take a Bite Out of Hunger is a great way to provide fresh produce to our food bank,” said Eric Beelitz, director of produce at A&P. “This program provides tangible help to those in need, and providing the donation in the area where we work and live helps support our community.” Hunger isn’t just about being hungry. It’s about food insecurity, or not having regular access to safe, affordable and nutritious foods. In 2010, 15 percent of all U.S. households were food-insecure. Of those, 33 percent were children, 96 percent reported that the food they bought just did not last and they did not have money to get more, and 94 percent reported that they could not afford to eat balanced meals. This year seven retailers have joined the Take A Bite Out of Hunger effort, with 250,000 pounds of apples accrued for donation to local food banks throughout the United States.
Customers and associates at Giant/Carlisle and Martin’s have generously showed their support for men and women in the Armed Forces by donating $517,535 through the retailer’s annual Support Our Troops campaign. The in-store fundraiser benefits regional USOs throughout the company’s operating area as well as the Wounded Warriors Project. “Thanks to our customers and associates, we continue to assist the brave men and women who serve our country daily. Due to the outstanding work of our regional USOs and the Wounded Warrior Project, our troops are able to stay connected to their families and receive needed care if they are injured,” said Rick Herring, president of Giant/Carlisle. The Wounded Warriors Project enlists the public’s aid for the needs of severely injured service members, helps severely injured men and women aid and assist each other, and provides unique, direct programs and services to meet their needs. Since the inception of Support Our Troops in 2005, Giant/Carlisle and Martin’s customers have donated more than $2.3 million. In addition to financial support, the retailer also reaches out several times a year to the family members of associates who are serving overseas by sending care packages of toiletries, sweets, beverage mixes, soups and microwaveable meals.
And last month, Giant/Carlisle announced a $3 million donation to 2,868 public and private schools through its A+ School Rewards program for the 2012-2013 school year. Since the program launched in 2005, more than $16 million has been donated to local schools throughout participating markets in the four states Giant/Carlisle and Martin’s operate stores. The A+ School Rewards program allows local schools to earn cash for technology, scholarships, school programs, field trips, playgrounds, and other educational needs. “Thank you to all of our customers and schools who once again helped to make this year’s A+ School Rewards program a great success,” said Herring. GovernorWolfElementary School in Bethlehem, PA was the top earning school this year, at $21,413.55. Congratulations!
The Herr Foods executive team and their assistants recently gave back to the community by devoting a day of service to Urban Promise in Wilmington, DE. The team included CEO J.M. Herr and his assistant Glenda Henry, president Ed Herr and his assistant Liz Richner, SVP Daryl Thomas and his assistant Kristin Bradfield, SVP Dick White and his assistant Kim McLimans, SVP Gerry Kluis and his assistant Debbie Cameron. The team’s day started with an orientation of the school’s mission. Soon most of the team began weeding flower beds, planting flowers, mulching, cutting the grass, trimming bushes, and planting rose bushes. A few people did some office work to prepare for the summer camp and reading with some of the students. Lunch was provided by Herr’s and during the lunch, the team had an opportunity to talk with the kindergarten and first-grade students. After lunch it was back to work to finish their landscaping duties, as well as cleaning out and vacuuming the school’s mini vans for summer camp. The day ended with the team talking with some graduating students about their future educational plans and the positive effect that Urban Promise has been for them. Urban Promise is a private Christian school initiated in 1998 in Wilmington. The school provides kindergarten through 12th grade education, along with after school care, summer camps and other programs. Tuition to the school is based on the family’s income. Urban Promise has schools located in Wilmington, Camden, Miami, Canada and Africa.
Penn Jersey Paper (PJP) is celebrating 50 years of service to the food community in 2013 and they marked it in style on May 18 with a party at the company’s headquarters in Northeast Philadelphia. The gathering was for the employees and their immediate families plus special invited guests. Among those in attendance to mark this momentous occasion were Larry Rothwell of Pennington Market, Tom Genuardi Sr., and Ron and Kathy Murphy of Murphy’s Marketplace. Ron and Kathy told me that the re-opening of the Beach Haven store went very well and they were looking forward to Memorial Day weekend to begin the summer season. Last but certainly not least, I chatted with Charles A. Genuardi, who is looking quite well and relaxed. He told me that his son, Chuck and his partner Cynthia Tice, who have a long history in the Natural Foods industry working in retailing, manufacturing, and consulting recently began an all-natural chocolate company called Lily’s Sweets. As admitted chocoholics, Cynthia and Chuck were determined to come up with a delicious, healthy, sugar free alternative to their favorite treat. The products are available in our area in natural food stores.
Linda Doherty, president of the New Jersey Food Council (NJFC), announced the winners of the 2013 Education Development Scholarship Awards during the NJFC Trade Relations Conference held at the Borgata in Atlantic City on June 5. In addition to handing out the scholarships, the program featured John Ruane, senior vice president of fresh merchandising at Ahold USA. Mike Sullivan, vice president of the New Jersey market unit of Coca-Cola Refreshments USA, was honored with the Max Stone Trade Relations Award. NJFC created an educational scholarship program to promote future leaders and support the food industry as recommended by the NJFC Trade Relations Committee three years ago. This year, four more member scholarships have been added to the program. Doherty said, “We are pleased and proud that the scholarship program is growing and flourishing. It allows us to provide an important member benefit and to invest in the future of NJFC families.” Each recipient was presented with a $2,000 scholarship check at the June 5 event. Doherty added, “NJFC received more than 126 applications for consideration. The Selection Committee was overwhelmingly impressed with the number and quality of applications. Our scholarship winners and all applicants are a shining example of the youth of today and their goals to succeed in today’s competitive business climate.” It looks like our industry is going to be in good hands in the future.
Speaking of Linda Doherty, the trustees of the New Jersey Clean Communities Council honored her with an Environmental Quality Award at the annual Clean Communities Awards Dinner on May 23 in Maritime Park, Liberty State Park in Jersey City. Doherty received the award for a decade of service to the mission of the New Jersey Clean Communities Council. During the past 10 years, she has played a leadership role as a trustee of the council, serving as treasurer for five years. “We commend Linda Doherty for her leadership and commitment to New Jersey Clean Communities. She has followed in the paths of former Food Council presidents by furthering the goals of New Jersey’s only statewide, comprehensive, litter abatement program. We are extremely grateful to her for lending her time, talent, and expertise to our board of trustees,” said Patrick L. Ryan, president of New Jersey Clean Communities Council, when announcing the award.
Weis Markets stores raised upward of $189,000 in donations and pet supplies for more than 90 local animal shelters and rescue organizations during its month-long Paws for Pets program. The program ran through Memorial Day weekend. During this period, more than 60 Weis Markets stores also hosted pet adopt-a-thon events with local animal shelters and rescue organizations. Weis Markets’ Hackettstown, NJ store was the chain-wide leader, raising a combined $4,787 in donations for Common Sense For Animals, a pet shelter located in nearby New Village, NJ. “This is the fifth year we’ve been flooded with a record number of unwanted animals due to the poor economy,” said Dennis Curtin, Weis Markets’ director of public relations. “Our Paw Program helps these groups meet this challenge, thanks to the generosity of our customers and the commitment of our store associates, who helped create awareness of our program.”
A tip of the hat to Christine Hartmann of Saint Joseph’s University (SJU) on her recent promotion to director of the Professional MBA program SJU, effective July 1. The program is the oldest and largest graduate program in the Haub School of Business at SJU. She welcomes this move, which encompasses all of the business school as opposed to just heading up the Executive MBA in Food Marketing, which she has been doing for the past eight years. Christine said: “I am looking forward to helping people accelerate their careers and become leaders of organizational growth through advanced academic experiences.” The Executive MBA is offered in many areas of expertise in both on campus programs in Philadelphia and now worldwide via online programs. SJU has been ranked by the Association to Advance College Schools of Business in the top five percent of business schools around the world. Christine has spent her entire career in the food business from Scott Paper Company to Campbell’s with other stops along the way. Best of luck Christine, and don’t forget your buddies in food marketing!
Continuing the circle of life, we send out best wishes to Courtney Mallowe and Ryan McAleer both from Campbell Soup Company, who married on June 1 at Saint Patrick’s Church in Philadelphia, followed by a reception at the Radisson Warwick and a honeymoon in Antigua. Courtney is the youngest child of Charles Mallowe, retired from SJU’s Academy of Food Marketing. Congratulations!
Al Gross, a veteran Philadelphia grocer passed away on June 2 at age 89. Al served our country in WWII and was part of the team that liberated the Dachau Concentration Camp. He joined his father as a partner in the Ambler Market. In 1961, Al, his brother Gene and their father opened the Port Richmond Thriftway. They worked together until they retired after a 38 year partnership. ShopRite owner and friend Rich McMenamim said Al was in his store every Wednesday. He volunteered at the Jewish Community Center serving lunches to seniors near Rich’s store and would stop in for coffee. They would sit in the café and talk shop. Rich said, “Al loved the business, it was in his blood.” Anyone wishing to make a donation is asked to send them to the Abington Memorial Hospice Program, 2501 Maryland Road, Suite 250, Willow Grove, PA19090.
High school graduations abound this month. Congratulations to: TJ Kollhoff, son of Shawn Padgett of George Wells Meats, who graduated from Garnet Valley High School and is going to Wilkes University; Alana Liss, son of Jon Liss of Michel’s Bakery, who graduated from The Shipley School and is going to attend Vanderbilt University; and to my nephews Mario Maggio II and Michael Maggio, who graduated from The Haverford School and are off to the University of Alabama! Go get ‘em guys!
Birthday shout outs for “June is dairy month” go to: Jeff Geiges, Acme Markets; Mark Tarzwell, Ahold USA; Jim Burke Sr., Seafood America; Bill Derbyshire, Coca Cola Refreshments; Barry Kahn, Advantage Waypoint; Phil Scaduto, Food Circus Supermarkets; Tom Canuso, Turkey Hill; Nancy Rodgers-Fluharty, JLB Bakery Consultants; Ralph Nagle, Albert’s Organics; Brian Chick, Charles Ritter, Inc.; Terri Maloney, Food Trade News/Food World; and our publisher, Jeff Metzger. Buon compleanno a tutti!
Celebrating marital bliss are: Charlie and Pat Poletti, Acosta; Curt and Trish Gruber, Acosta; and a special couple celebrating, my parents, Mario and Rosalie Maggio. Auguri!
Quote of the month: “We must be willing to let go of the life we have planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us.” – E.M. Forester
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