Happy 2015! As many of you know, 2014 was perhaps the worst year of my life. So, despite the fact I am “anti-new year’s resolutions,” for 2015 I have decided to look forward, not behind, and make this year the best ever. I wish the same for all of you, our devoted readers. The food industry has already made some headlines just two weeks into January. Knowing it as well as we do, we invite you to hold on tight for another rockin’ and rollin’ fun filled episode of life in the food industry!
Acme Markets held a grand re-opening at its Media, PA (Baltimore Pike) store on January 9 with much fanfare, and much ado about something. VP Dan Croce said updating this store had been on his short list for quite some time and was very excited about the changes the Acme operations team made. The remodel in Media includes the following features: expanded and more focused produce department (it was fragmented before the remodel); meat, full service seafood, deli, and frozen foods departments; expanded selection of natural, organic products and gluten-free products throughout the store with a designated dry grocery section for those items; a larger selection of home meal solutions including expanded fresh cheese offerings and an olive bar; and a premium cake case in the bakery. Acme president Jim Perkins opened his remarks at the event by throwing out some fun facts about the new corporation once the merger with Safeway is complete. The combined company will be the second largest conventional supermarket chain in the USA; it will be the fifth largest retailer; the ninth largest employer; and will have more than $60 billion in sales. Store director Steve Hallinan and district manager Kim Gray emceed the proceedings, which featured short speeches from local and state dignitaries. In addition, Acme gave out checks to support local community organizations totaling more than $3,000. Acme also donated a park bench made from recycled plastic bags to Rose Tree Park. The best part of the ceremony was the parade of managers who were introduced individually, along with the years of service they have put in with Acme. In this particular store the senior employee is night crew manager Bob Rutter, who has logged in 44 years. What still amazes me about this chain is the employee loyalty, almost unheard of today. Our Philadelphia icon, Ac-a-me is alive and kicking!
The 2015 event calendar is filling up quickly and you should mark your calendars for some exciting social and learning events within the coming months. First up, the New Jersey Food Council (NJFC) has announced the 2015 industry achievement honorees who will be feted at its annual Night of Distinction March 19 at The Palace at Somerset in Somerset, NJ. They are: Phil Scaduto, Food Circus Supermarkets; Joe Pagano, Inserra Supermarkets; Christina Minardi, Whole Foods; and Joe McCarthy, Bimbo Bakeries, USA. The NJFC annual membership meeting is just a few days away; it will be held January 29 at Forsgate Country Club in Jamesburg beginning at 5:30 p.m. Judy Spires, president and CEO of Kings/ Balducci’s, will continue in her second year as chairwoman of the board. Joining Spires as association officers are: vice chairman Richard Saker, Saker ShopRites; associate vice chairman Joe McCarthy, Bimbo Bakeries USA; treasurer Michael Rothwell, Pennington Quality Markets; and secretary Michael Murphy, Quick Chek Food Corporation.
Philadelphia is lucky to have a university which has one of the most prestigious food marketing programs in the country. Saint Joseph’s University (SJU) puts together many learning events that give us insight, improve our understanding of current and future trends and provide us with interesting networking opportunities. There are three events coming soon that everyone should be aware of. First is the Saint Joseph’s University’s Center for Professional Development presenting its first annual summit titled “What Women Want – Innovative Approach to Present and Future Workplace Trends for Women” on March 23 at the Haub School of Business. This inaugural summit runs from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Among the featured speakers will be Judy Spires, president and CEO of King’s/ Balducci’s, and Denise Morrison, president and CEO of Campbell Soup Company. The event is being supported by the Greater Philadelphia Chapter of the Network of Executive Women. Second up is another inaugural event, The Food Marketing Educational Scholarship Luncheon Series, which will kick off a four city tour on April 14 at the Simeone Automobile Museum, near the Philadelphia airport, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The tour will continue on in Boston, New York and Washington, DC later this year hosting similar types of fundraising events to benefit the Food Marketing Educational Foundation at Saint Joseph’s University which provides scholarships to current food marketing students. The topic is quite relevant: “The 3M’s – Millennials, Marketing and the Media” and the featured speaker is SJU’s own Dr. Richard J. George with guest speaker Jen Herczeg of Chipotle Mexican Grill. Sponsorships opportunities are available. For information, please email Eileen Acello at eacello@sju.edu. The last event is the second annual Food Marketing Hall of Honor, to be held on April 21 at the Campbell Collection housed in the Francis A. Drexel Library on campus. The honorees for this class are Jack Kelly, ’77, president of KG Associates and member of the board of directors of the Academy of Food Marketing, and C. Winston “Win” Taylor, ’04 MBA, retired SJU faculty and Campbell Soup Company executive. To be considered for this honor, one must be a food marketing graduate of either the undergrad or graduate program. Information is available at: www.sju.edu/int/academics/hsb/resources/foodmarketing/hallofhonors.
The Specialty Food Association announced the creation of a Hall of Fame for that segment of the food industry to “honor individuals whose accomplishments, impact, contributions, innovations, and successes within the specialty food industry deserve praise and recognition.” The inaugural class is comprised of 114 individuals who were pioneers and builders of the specialty food industry. I am sending a tip of the hat to all of the honorees, but especially to my industry friends who have made a difference in the food business over the years: David Anderson Sr., Haddon House, and his late father, company founder Harold Anderson; Dan Carter, DCI Cheese; Mario Foah, Foah International LLC; dear family friend Alfred Lepore, Ferrara Foods; John Profaci, Colavita; John Roberts, Specialty Food Association/NASFT; Gerry Santucci, Santucci Associates; Bill Skura, Liberty Richter/Wasa USA; Sara Wilson and her husband Warren Wilson, The Snack Factory; and my former business partner, Stephen Fass, Macy’s/Bloomingdale’s, who when I called to congratulate him, promptly told me, “You know, most of these people are dead!” Congratulations!
The circle of life continues as we welcome to the world little Miss Cecily Rachel Spross, daughter of Carly Spross of The Fresh Grocer and her husband Bob. Cecily was born on November 28. Everyone is doing well.
Former Super Fresh meat director Chuck Zirilli passed away January 2 in Sarasota, FL. He was 69 years old. Chuck was a butcher by trade. He received his associates degree from St. Joseph’s University in 1993. He worked for A&P, Super Fresh and Wakefern throughout his career as a meatcutter, meat and seafood operation specialist and director of deli and bakery. He always dreamed of opening his own business and finally saw his dream come true when Zirilli’s Chilly Treats opened in Cape Coral, FL in August 2014. Chuck enjoyed gardening, cooking, NASCAR, and Indy car racing and taking trips to Disney. He is survived by a son and a daughter, a sister and a brother, and one granddaughter. Sadly, Chuck was preceded by his wife Barbara on December 18, just two weeks before he passed. There were two memorial services, one in Florida and one in Turnersville, NJ. See more at: www.legacy.com. Rest in peace.
Birthday shout outs for the first month of 2015 go out to: Linda Doherty, NJFC; Eve Gigis, Acme Markets; Gary Larkin, JOH; David Patragnoni, Wellshire Farms; George Latella, Saint Joseph’s University; Tim Musgrove, Herr Foods; Food World/Food Trade News’ Karen Fernandez; FTN alumni Meg Major, Mike Keba, Bob Ingram and Scott Lichterman. Buon Compleanno a tutti!
Quote of the month: “Happiness is when what you think, what you say and what you do are in harmony.” Mahatma Gandhi
