Well, we are fully into the fall season, which will quickly morph into the holiday year-end fun and craziness of our industry. And, we have big happenings to report from the offices of Fairway Markets about some fairly ambitious store plans. Read about it in the page 1 story of this issue. We’ll have photos next month from their newest store that opened just before presstime in Nanuet, NY in Rockland County.
Kudos to all at Wakefern and ShopRite for once again hosting The Grand Tasting Presented by ShopRite at the Food Network New York City Wine & Food Festival. Proceeds from the event benefit hunger relief initiatives through the Food Bank for New York City and Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry Campaign. The New York City Wine & Food Festival is also hosted by The Food Network, Food & Wine and Travel and Leisure magazines and to-date has raised more than $5 million to help fight hunger. The Grand Tasting has proven to be one of the festival’s most popular attractions and not only showcases ShopRite’s premier line of limited edition specialty products, but also offers attendees signature dishes from the city’s most respected restaurants and world-renowned wine and spirit makers in a deliciously designed two-day gastronomic experience.
A big “job well done” to everyone involved with the recent 31st Annual James A. Cullen Memorial golf outing. Due to the gracious support of the industry and their own associates, King Kullen Grocery Co. and the James A. Cullen Memorial Golf Outing raised more than $100,000 for Little Flower Children and Family Services of New York, an organization that finds adoptive and foster homes for children on Long Island and in New York City. The annual golf outing was originally started to carry on King Kullen’s support of Little Flower’s mission of uniting children with families, and the family-operated business has done a stellar job of understanding the importance of family ties, and continuing their very generous support.
Congratulations to Colleen Woods, as word has reached our offices that she has taken a position with Natural Markets Food Group (NFMG) as a senior business analyst. NFMG is the parent of Mrs. Green’s Natural Markets and also owns the Planet Organic Markets, Fresh & Green’s and Richtree Market restaurants. Colleen is a seasoned veteran in the food industry with stops at C&S, A&P and Pathmark during her years in the industry.
And while we’re at it, our best wishes to a dear friend, Donna Serio, who is now at a position with Byrne Dairy. Donna had been with Johanna Foods the last 16 years and prior to that had spent time with the old Nabisco Company. In her new spot with Byrne, Donna will be the director of sales and marketing for the company’s yogurt division.
A new ShopRite opened in East Haven, CT located in the newly renamed ShopRitePlaza at 745 Foxon Road. The new ShopRite of East Haven is owned and operated by the Garafalo family which currently operates ShopRite stores in Milford, Stratford, West Haven and Hamden, CT. The 59,000 square foot stores offers the local community a wide range of products and services at ShopRite’s traditional low prices and will employ 250 full and part time associates. And coming soon, the ShopRite of East Haven will offer ShopRite from Home, a convenient service for customers who wish to place their orders online using a computer or mobile device and schedule either in-store pickup or home delivery.
Good news came to Brenda Isaac and her team at Butterfly Bakery when the FDA stated that the Clifton, NJ based bakery was “operating in compliance” with applicable regulations and was allowed to re-open their doors for business. The company had agreed to voluntarily close in March of this year after the FDA cited them for violating the law by claiming their products had less sugar and fat than they actually did. At the time, lab analysis showed that foods labeled as “sugar free” actually had sugar and up to twice as much as the total fat than what was said on the label. “I am tremendously grateful to our distributors and customers,” Isaac said. “My mother lives with diabetes, and we are all committed to serving people with special dietary needs who are looking for wholesome baked treats.” Anyone who wishes to verify the accuracy of the labels on their products may contact Butterfly Bakery’s quality control staff directly 973.815.1501 or [email protected].
The New Jersey Food Council (NJFC) held its 40th annual Good Government Breakfast at the Hilton East Brunswick and a huge crowd was on hand. Specifically, Wakefern members showed up in big numbers to recognize and support one of their own, Lorelei Mottese. Lorelei, director of government relations for Wakefern, was presented with the 2013 “Good Government” award. The honor recognizes an individual in the industry who demonstrates the spirit of public policy leadership and effective government advocacy. Properly summed up by Richard Saker of Foodarama Supermarkets, “There is no one more deserving of this award.” Congratulations Lorelei!
The baseball season in nearing completion for this year but look for Mike Rothwell of Pennington Quality Market to land on someone’s roster for next year. Mike tells us that he is two months out of his rotator cuff surgery and, although the fastball is “not up to where it needs to be” yet, plenty of years of experience can afford him the knowledge to earn a spot on someone’s starting rotation next Spring! Continued good rehab Mike
As we went to press were saddened to hear that Marvin Fishman, longtime food broker in the metro NY industry, passed away on October 8th at the age of 78. Marvin had been battling cancer for quite some time and his ever present wide smile will be missed. Donations in his memory can be made to the American Cancer Society.
As we wrap up for this month, we heard from Jim Rogers of the Food Industry Alliance (FIA) that the organization is readying for the association’s big Red Carpet Salute on October 30 at the Hilton Westchester in Rye Brook, NY. Jim tells us that there is still time to purchase tickets to New York’s “October Place To Be.” This year’s featured guest speaker will be former New York Giants Super Bowl MVP running back Otis “OJ” Anderson, but more importantly, a networking atmosphere with the top food industry executives from around the Empire State. For more information or ticket sales, contact Kristy Garrow at the FIA 518.434.1900 ext. 221 or [email protected].
That’s all for now folks and, as always, you can reach me at 201.250.2217 or [email protected].
