April is Earth Month, which actually began as Earth Day on April 22, 1970. Back then, Americans were driving gas guzzlers with massive V8 engines. Industry spewed out smoke with little fear of legal consequences and smoking was permitted everywhere. The idea for Earth Day came from founder Gaylord Nelson, then a U.S. Senator from Wisconsin, who witnessed the ravages of the 1969 massive oil spill in Santa Barbara, CA and wanted to do something to make the Earth a better place to live. Air pollution was commonly accepted as the smell of a strong economy. The first Earth Day had rare bi-partisan support, which led to the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency, the Clean Air Act and the Endangered Species Act. Forty five years later, we are still working on ways to protect the Earth, even with climate change naysayers, a disinterested public and strong lobbying by the oil industry; we are a work in progress, one might say. So, what are you doing for Earth Month? Be thankful we’re not in the same situation as Beijing, China, where they wear masks whenever they go outdoors. Be kind to our Earth, it’s the only one we have.
Supporting Earth Month and sustainability is especially important in the supermarket industry. To that point, ShopRite remains committed to sustainable business practices through the reduction of energy use, diversion of food waste and the sourcing of products from environmentally responsible suppliers, manufacturers and farmers.
But it is through a partnership with its customers that ShopRite truly helps to make a difference. For years, ShopRite customers have teamed up with the retailer to recycle waste, donate unsaleable food to food banks and pantries, clean up parks and beaches and reuse their shopping bags at checkout. ShopRite has promoted bag reuse for many years. In fact, in the last seven years, ShopRite customers have kept approximately 380 million bags out of landfills. Starting this Earth Month, the How2Recycle Label can also be found on ShopRite paper and plastic bags to help remind customers to recycle or reuse their bags, ShopRite makes it easy for customers to recycle them, along with other flexible plastic packaging including produce bags, bread bags, and case wraps, by providing recycling bins at the front of every store. Each year, the “ShopRite Earth Day Challenge” urges volunteers to beautify their communities by cleaning up litter and restoring local parks and beaches. In 2014, approximately 6,000 volunteers wearing donated gloves and using donated trash bags from ShopRite gathered to clean up 63 communities in Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. Many ShopRites have received sustainability awards for their efforts toward reducing food waste and conserving energy. To date, three ShopRite stores in Pennsylvania and New York received the US EPA Green Chill award for reducing refrigeration emissions and 22 New Jersey stores received US EPA Food Recovery awards for feeding families and reducing food waste.
Last year, ShopRite announced its partnership with the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) and Global Aquaculture Alliance (GAA) and is committed to working with suppliers who ensure that its wild-caught and farm-raised seafood is sourced from certified, sustainable fisheries and farms. Committed to keeping other materials out of the waste stream, ShopRite has had its own recycling center in Elizabeth, NJ since the 1970s. The facility, which operates 16 hours a day, six days a week, recycles plastic bags, shrink wrap and corrugated cardboard equally more than 1.8 million tons of materials to date.
April is also National Autism Awareness Month, and Herr Foods is partnering with the Autism Society of America to produce limited edition Whole Grain Pretzels with Flax Seed & Honey in a specially designed puzzle-patterned bag filled with ribbon-shaped pretzels in support of autism awareness. “At Herr’s, we believe in partnering with charitable organizations and in giving back to our community in any way we can,” said Ed Herr, president of Herr Foods. “We are proud to support the Autism Society of America, which is essential in improving the lives of autistic individuals across their lifespan and increasing awareness of the cause.” For every bag sold, Herr’s will make a 5-cent donation to the Autism Society of America, one of the nation’s leading grassroots autism organizations dedicated to improving the lives of those affected by autism spectrum disorder. The organization provides the latest information regarding treatment, education, research and advocacy. “We are delighted to partner with Herr Foods for promoting autism awareness,” said Scott Badesch, president and CEO of the Autism Society of America. “Through the generous support from Herr Foods we are able to help individuals living on the spectrum maximize their quality of life each and every day.:
The New Jersey Food Council (NJFC) hosted its “Night of Distinction” Reception on March 19 at the Palace at Somerset in Somerset, NJ. The event, with its powerful slate of honorees, drew more than 400 guests including prominent food industry executives. Recognized with industry achievement awards for their meaningful contributions to advance the mission of the food council, for achieving significant food business success and for their history of civic service within the New Jersey food community were: Joe McCarthy, Bimbo Bakeries USA; Christina Minardi, Whole Foods Markets; Joe Pagano, Inserra Supermarkets; and Phil Scaduto, Food Circus Supermarkets. Industry leaders recognized for their continued achievements in the ultra-competitive NJ marketplace was  Mike Murphy of Quick Chek. NJFC president Linda Doherty said, “We are thrilled with the outpouring of support for this event and the honorees, which is no surprise given these honorees are among the most respected leaders in the industry. We are grateful to have the opportunity to honor them with Industry Achievement Awards at this showcase NJFC event.” Honorees were also presented with joint resolutions of the New Jersey state legislature commemorating their industry achievement and dedication to business in the GardenState.
Saint Joseph’s University (SJU) has been busy this past month with the 47th Annual Citation Dinner honoring Wawa president Chris Gheysens and the inaugural Educational Scholarship Luncheon Series with guest lecturer Dr. Richard George speaking on the topic of “The 3M’s – Millennials, Marketing and the Media.” At the Citation Dinner, after being greeted by the SJU Hawk and Wawa’s Wally the Goose entering to the “Rocky” theme, Gheysens commented that Wawa’s future is bright and their “purpose will give flight.” He credited the Wood family for the focus on people, making a difference and not just profit. While Wawa continues to grow at a rapid pace (they are opening three stores in southwest Florida in one day later this month, a company first), their commitment to the communities they serve by becoming more serious about volunteerism is strong. Gheysens tells the Wawa associates that they are “in the business of helping people have a better day.” Indeed, on Wawa free coffee day April 16, store associates were all smiles as they continually refilled the coffee canisters. Wawa remains committed to innovation; they plan on opening 50 stores per year over the next few years, they are reinvesting in current stores with many remodels coming and they continue to look for new growth. For the near future, that growth is coming from south Florida; first the southwest coast and then the southeast coast closer to the Palm Beach area. The store count in the SunshineState is 61…and growing.
Penn Jersey Paper Company (PJP) recently announced the acquisition of Katcef Distributors, a broad line distributor of foodservice supplies, equipment, disposables and janitorial products located in Annapolis, MD. “The acquisition of Katcef is an opportunity for us to strengthen our position as the region’s leading distributor of foodservice supplies,” said Tom Furia Jr., president and COO of PJP. “Katcef’s culture and reputation for customer service aligns well with our own. We are excited about extending our reach into the Mid-Atlantic region, and also becoming a part of the Annapolis community. This location will allow us to provide outstanding products and service to our customers and grow our presence in the Baltimore / Washington area.”
This is PJP’s fourth acquisition in the last eight years, further strengthening the company’s distribution channels in its core market area. PJP will continue to operate out of the Katcef Distribution center, and take over operations of the Katcef cash and carry storefront.
As we went to press, Botto’s Sausage Company celebrated its 50th birthday at the company headquarters in Mount Royal, NJ. The family owns three businesses, the famed Botto’s Italian Market and Botto’s Italian Line Restaurant, both in Swedesboro, and C.W. Brown Foods, Inc., makers of Botto’s genuine Italian Sausage just up the road in Mount Royal. Botto’s is growing and they are ready to take on new business. Two of the Botto brothers, Vincent and Domenic, proudly gave tours of their newly expanded plant, warehouse and offices to guests, including retailers from the Delaware and Lehigh Valleys and Metro New York markets. The plant is impressive with both cooking and freezing capability, and it is so clean you can eat off the floor. The new state of the art offices are built for the future with room to grow while the visitor lobby gives guests a look at the history and legacy of the Botto family and their vision for the future. Brothers Enrico and Robert Jr. run the Swedesboro store and restaurant where catering weddings and other events is second nature. This hard working, close knit family has plans to carry on where their late father, Robert, left off when he passed away in 2007. Cent’anni, as we say in Italian. May you see one hundred years!
Golf season kicks off on May 4 with the annual MAFTO outing at Commonwealth Golf Club. There are many more to follow. Check out the trade calendar so you know how to plan your summer. Did we miss an outing? Please let us know by sending me the details at [email protected].
A tip of the hat to Clemens Food Group’s Doug Clemens, who has been named president of the multi-faceted company as his cousin Phil Clemens retires. Congrats also go out to Ed Elborne who has been named category manager of specialty food, organic, natural and ethnic foods (and a plethora of other items) at Acme Markets. Ed has been at Acme for 14 years in various positions. Very special anniversary wishes go out to my dear friends Doug and Diane Buchanan, Brandywine Marketing, who are celebrating 40 wonderful years of marriage this April 26.
Birthday shout-outs for the volatile month of April go out to: Lou Eni Jr., Dietz & Watson; Ed Herr, Herr Foods; Theresa Lowden, JOH Produce; Charlie Poletti, Acosta; Jack Foti, Rosa Foods; Ron Benjamin, Pro-Star Marketing; and Larry Weaver, retired, DFA. Buon compleanno a tutti!
Quote of the month: “Progress is impossible without change. Those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything.” George Bernard Shaw
