Greetings all and I hope everyone has had an enjoyable summer thus far. We’ve certainly had terrific weather and I hope it has translated into good business for all. Word on the street has it that Wayne Pesce has accepted the position as president of the Connecticut Food Association. Wayne will be replacing Stan Sorkin who will be retiring at the end of 2015 after an eight year run guiding the Nutmeg state association. Wayne comes to the CFA from Coca-Cola Refreshments where he was most recently vice president of national retail sales. He has also been a board member of the CFA as well as a board member of the New York state association, Food Industry Alliance. Wayne should be joining the group after the summer and will work with Stan through the end of the calendar year ensuring a smooth transition for all parties. Good luck to both Wayne and Stan. And, while we’re talking about the CFA, its 2015 Person of the Year Banquet will be held on Thursday, October 15 at Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, CT. This year’s honoree is Rich Cohen, owner and president of Waverly Markets (ShopRite). While keeping with the news from the Nutmeg state, don’t forget to mark your calendars for the Adam J. Bozzuto annual golf outing on September 21. The big charity event will take place on two courses –  the Farms C.C. in Wallingford, CT and the Wallingford C.C. Dinner will follow at the Aqua Turf club in Plantsville. For more information contact Pat Houle at 203.250.5106 or [email protected]
Before we leave the New England area, Bob McGowan of Northeast Produce Sales and president of the New England Produce Council, reminds us that September 17 is the date of the 16th annual NEPC Produce and Floral Expo which will be held at the prestigious Chatham Bars Inn on Chatham, Cape Cod. Bob tells us this will be a fantastic event and for more information contact Laura Sullivan at the NEPC office at 781.273.0444.
Don’t forget to mark your calendars for the annual Robert & Owen McKeever Jr. Invitational Golf tournament which will be held October 1 at the Montclair Golf club in West Orange, NJ. This is one of those old “throw back” type of events where it really crosses all lines and you get involvement from every customer, supplier and vendor in the market, which makes for a terrific networking day as well as raising funds for a great cause. For information on how to participate contact Melissa McKinney at 973.656.9200 or [email protected].
Bozzuto’s once again held its annual Merchandising Marketplace show at the Foxwoods in Mashantucket, CT and it, while it should go without saying, once again it was a top-shelf affair. It is truly impressive that with every passing show and/or event that the Bozzuto’s team puts together, they continually raise the bar each and every time. Even though the summer version of the Bozzuto’s shows is supposed to be the “lower key” affair compared to the Spring Gala; Michael Bozzuto, Steve Heggelke, George Motel and the entire Bozzuto’s team don’t miss a beat when it comes to showing customer and vendor appreciation, from their vendor golf outing which kicks off the three-day event to the exhibit floor, food, and dinner reception. It makes for one of the more memorable events you will attend in our industry. Kudos to all involved!
With the recent lifting of sanctions and renewed trade relations with Cuba, opportunities are opening up for additional business for many in our industry. One company that can assist any person or company interested in exploring these opportunities is Vamos International. The point person at Vamos International is Mildred Diaz. Many of you may know Mildred from her years coordinating customer trips for White Rose and other area wholesalers and retailers. While she was generally in the background, make no mistake, Mildred really made every trip “click” when it came to all of those trips around the world. Mildred tells us that this November 2-7 she will be sending a group to the Havana International Trade Fair. It is a six day/five night all-inclusive excursion that centers around a trade exhibition that encompasses all sectors of the Cuban economy. Arrangements can be made whether you would like to attend the Expo to observe and network, or even if you are interested in exhibiting at the Expo. For more information you can reach Mildred at 786.717.7450 or [email protected].
Baldor Specialty Foods has amended its lease with New York City at the Hunts Point Market to expand its facility by 100,000 square feet. The current Baldor location is 193,000 square feet and with the expansion it is anticipated that Baldor will be hiring 300 new employees. “This expansion solidifies our Bronx location as the headquarters of Baldor Specialty Food,” said TJ Murphy, Baldor’s CEO. “We are proud to make this investment in the Bronx, to strengthen our commitment to Hunts Point and to continue to be a strong supporter of the area’s overall economic development.”
It was quite a surprise to learn that Jack Futterman, former chairman and chief executive officer of Pathmark Stores and a former chairman of the National Association of Chain Drug Stores, died on July 14 at age 82. Surprising in that there really was no news on it, or no one reaching out to me to let us know of his passing. Jack, a pharmacist by trade, joined Pathmark in 1973 as vice president and general manager of its pharmacies and general merchandise departments after serving as president of Whelan Drug Stores, a now-defunct chain that operated in the New York metro area. He was named Pathmark chairman and CEO in 1989 and retired from that post in March 1996. From June through December 1999, he served as chairman and CEO of Party City Stores and had been a director on the board of The Hain Celestial Group since December 1996. Jack also served on the NACDS board of directors and held the post of NACDS chairman from 1994 to 1995. Anyone wishing to send expressions of condolences can send them to Estelle Futterman, 200 Central Park South, Apt. 9G, New York, N.Y.10019. May his soul rest in peace.
We also would like to send out best wishes for a speedy recovery to Ken Downey. Ken was the former director of bakery and merchandising at Kings Food Markets/Balducci’s, and has been running his own bakery consulting business, KGDSRLLC for the past year. We heard as we were going to press that Ken had been hospitalized with a collapsed lung and we wish him all the best in his recuperation and hope to see him back on his feet soon.
As we told you last month, we were saddened to learn of the passing of George Blauvelt on June 29 at the age of 73. George was an icon in the perishable food industry and had relocated with his family to Colorado twenty years ago, but remained very involved in the food industry on a national basis as well as never losing his northeast roots. His funeral was already held in Colorado but a memorial service will be held in the New York area on Saturday September 19 at 3:00 pm at the Tappan Reformed Church, 32 Old Tappan Road, Tappan, NY10983. I’m sure there will be a contingent of Northeast area food industry people who were all touched or influenced by George.
I hope you all enjoy what is left of the summer, and I look forward to seeing you out in the trade in the coming weeks. Best regards, and as always you can reach me at 201.250.2217 or [email protected].
