It’s that time of the year again; back to school, last days on the beach. New York Fashion Week, (hopefully) some crisp fall weather and the 14th anniversary of the horrific attack on our country. September 11th will forever be in our memories and in our hearts, especially here on the East Coast. We must resolve to never forget and never back down from those who fight to destroy our way of life. Go USA!
September is also Hunger Action Month. One in six Americans go hungry every day, according to Feeding America. In 2014, more than 48.1 million Americans lived in food insecure households, including 32.8 million adults and 15.3 million children. Fourteen percent of households (17.4 million households) were food insecure. Retailers all over the U.S. are not sitting idly by and watching this happen. In fact, many local retailers have taken action and have organized events to stamp out hunger in America.
Giant/Martin’s asked for customers to help “Bag Hunger” during the month of September. Customers donated $1 at the checkout at their local store during the in-store campaign from September 6 through 19. A similar campaign held earlier this year raised a record-breaking $640,297 to support local hunger relief efforts. “The fight against hunger is an everyday battle, and for most it hits too close to home as many families and children go without a meal,” said Tom Lenkevich, Giant/Carlisle president. “We’re so proud that our customers take action with us as we combat hunger every September during Hunger Action Month. Together we can win the fight against hunger in our communities.” In addition, knowing that high protein meat is most needed by hungry families and is often in short supply, they continue to provide meat that would otherwise go unsold to regional food bank partners through its “Meat the Needs” program. Since 2010, more than 3 million pounds of meat have been donated to local communities from all Giant/Martin’s locations. In 2014, hunger relief efforts and donations to regional food banks accounted for approximately 45 percent of the retailer’s community giving with more than 100 regional food banks and local pantries receiving $12.2 million in product, customer, vendor and corporate donations. Regional food banks in the Food Trade News marketing area that benefit from this support include the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank, Philabundance, Second Harvest Food Bank of Lehigh Valley, Greater Berks County Food Bank, and the Water Street Rescue Mission in Lancaster.
Weis Markets is also participating in Hunger Action Month. That gallon of milk you consider a staple in your refrigerator is missing in Mid-Atlantic area food banks, and local children in need are missing out on the essential nutrients that milk provides. To help close the gap on this need, Weis Markets joined the Great American Milk Drive during September as part of its eighth annual “Fight Hunger” campaign. “We are dedicated to the communities we serve, and doing our part to fight hunger within our communities,” said Richard Gunn, Weis Markets’ SVP-merchandising and marketing. “Hunger Action Month is the perfect time for all of us to join the effort and support The Great American Milk Drive. We hope our customers will consider donating a gallon of milk through our ‘Fight Hunger’ program when they visit their local Weis Markets throughout September.” The second new feature to Weis Markets’ campaign is its new “Fight Hunger” reusable bag, which is on sale for $2. All proceeds from the sale of these bags will be donated to local Fight Hunger programs. Customers donated shelf-stable items, as well as purchase $2 and $4 vouchers during the checkout process.
More facts from Feeding America about milk supply: milk is one of the items most requested by food bank clients, yet there is a nationwide shortage because it is rarely donated, and local hunger groups are struggling to meet the demand. Although Americans are generous with canned and dry goods, milk is much harder to donate because it is perishable. Feeding America clients receive the equivalent of less than one gallon of milk per person per year.
The Great American Milk Drive, the first-ever national program to help deliver highly desired and nutrient-rich gallons of milk to hungry families who need it most, is working to change that across the country. Since The Great American Milk Drive launched in 2014, more than 398,000 gallons – that’s more than 6.3 million servings – of milk have been donated to people who rely on the nation’s food banks to help supply their families with not only the food, but also the good nutrition they need. Check out the milk social channels, Facebook.com/milk and @MilkLife on Twitter for additional information and Great American Milk Drive success stories and visit Facebook.com/WeisMarkets or WeisMarkets.com for more information on Fight Hunger. What are you doing to fight hunger in 2015?
The rumors are true…Wawa officially opened its flagship store on The Avenue of the Arts (aka Broad Street) at Walnut Street in Philadelphia on September 18. The new store opened a full two months early in order to serve those in town for the Pope’s visit to Philadelphia and World Meeting of Families. This new flagship is Wawa’s most progressive store design prototype to date, with more than 4,000 square feet of space. It’s a one-of-a-kind store with unique aspects such as a corner entrance with a bronze canopy hanging above, and floor-to-ceiling windows. Another first is bar seating along the windows. On hand to greet customers were Chris Gheysens, president of Wawa, Philly Mayor Michael Nutter, Swoop and the Eagles cheerleaders, plus a special performance by members of the Philadelphia Orchestra and a parade of Wawa’s Philadelphia milestones, from Wawa’s origins as a Philadelphia-based company in the 1800s to the new CenterCity store opening. “During this significant occasion when the spotlight is on Philadelphia as the World Meeting of Families convenes and culminates with the visit of Pope Francis, we couldn’t be more excited to open our Flagship Philadelphia store. It truly is a fitting symbol of our commitment to serving our friends and neighbors and to continuing to invest in our hometown,” said Gheysens. “At Wawa we pride ourselves on being there for our communities around the clock and when they need us most, so we are thrilled to not only provide our hometown customers with our most unique store design and experience, but to open and be ready to serve the thousands of people who will be in Philadelphia during this historic time in our city’s history.” Not to mention the students from the University of the Arts, the many folks who work in CenterCity, and the locals who just can’t get enough Wawa. Maybe the Pope will stop in for a hoagie.
The first class of the New Jersey Food Council (NJFC) Leadership Development program participated in its final educational program and celebratory reception at the Princeton, NJ Wegmans in mid-August. The candidates included: Todd Ferrera, Wegmans Food Markets; Spencer Jones, Coca-Cola Refreshments USA; Andrew Kent, Glass Gardens; Howie Kent, Krasdale Foods; Sue Kurta, Stop & Shop Supermarkets; and Rick Saker, Saker ShopRites. During their final educational session, the class was given the opportunity to interact and build relationships with some of the most significant regulators of our industry including New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Doug Fisher, Labor and Workforce Development Deputy Commissioner Aaron Fitchner and New Jersey Office of Weights and Measures Enforcement Officer John McGuire. NJFC President Linda M. Doherty stated, “This is a new program for future leaders who have a passion for working in the food industry, possess an interest in the dynamics and trends of government, and who want to make a difference in the direction of this industry. This program combines elements of mentoring, organizational education, leadership, policy trends, skill training and guided experiences.” Immediately following the program, the group was joined by several members of the NJFC board of directors and their nominators for a graduation reception hosted by board member company Wegmans in Princeton, NJ. The graduating participants were presented with a certificate of accomplishment and will receive formal recognition at the Food Council Committee for Good Government’s upcoming Good Government Breakfast on September 30th at Forsgate Country Club. At that time, the 2015-2016 class will also be introduced to the membership. Applications for the next class are under consideration.
Save the date for the MAFTO Gala Weekend November 13 -15 honoring NAI’s Jim Perkins at Harrah’s in Atlantic City. On Friday night, join industry friends for a casual indoor poolside party with adult beverages and delicious dinner. Saturday plan the day for yourself or visit the many vendors who will be cooking up some savory snacks for all to enjoy in the afternoon. The main event is at 6 with cocktails and dancing well into the night. This is a fun way to get away before the holidays and mix it up with the Acme team and industry notables. Goodie bags and an extensive Sunday brunch finish off what will have been a fabulous weekend. Sponsorships are available for your company to support MAFTO and Acme in many ways. For more information please go to: www.mafto.org
The Saint Joseph’s University department of food marketing is hosting the 10th annual Food Industry Summit on October 13. The topic for 2015 is “FRESH Thinking in Food Marketing.” Join your industry peeps as the internationally renowned food marketing program presents a one-day summit to gain insights on how consumers are looking for fresh options and how retailers and manufacturers are providing options for the consumers at retail. Come hear how some of the best food brands are handling this topic. Speakers include: Jim Keyes of Fresh & Easy; Bimbo Bakeries’ Vince Melchiorre; David McInerney of Fresh Direct; Bolthouse Farms’ Todd Putnam; Giant Eagle’s Voni Woods; and Steven Johnson, Grocerant Guru. Ticket price is $299 per person and includes continental breakfast and lunch. For more information and to register, go to: http://foodindustrysummit.sju.edu.
A tip of the hat to two local retailers as they picked up some well-deserved prizes at the Supervalu show in Minneapolis, MN last month. Murphy’s Markets took home the Tier 1 prize for public service/community with its annual golf outing benefiting St. Mary of the LakesChurch in Medford, NJ. McCaffrey’s won two Tier 2 prizes for master marketer and for extra effort advertising for the food showcase at the McCaffrey’s in Princeton, NJ. Congratulations Ron Murphy and Jim McCaffrey and their teams! And, in other news from Supervalu, Manda Johns has been promoted to VP-sales and will report to Kevin Kemp. She takes the place of Billy Raynes who is retiring after 44 years with Supervalu.
Get well wishes go out to Pete Legambi of JOH, who is recovering from serious surgery to correct a condition he was suffering from called trigeminal neuralgia. His wife reports the surgery went very well and Pete is now recuperating at home. He will be out of action for a few weeks at least. Feel better, Pete.
The Acme vendor meeting held on September 15 at the Malvern headquarters was a standing room only event. More than 350 registered attendees filled two sessions to listen to Dan Croce, Kim Gray and Sherry Caldwell talk about programs for the coming year and the timeline/roll out for the 76 stores about to carry the Acme banner. More than a handful of attendees were first timers who navigated their way to Malvern to meet the Acme team and learn about Acme and how they do business. Dan is continuing his push of the “Acme is Local” theme and says Acme’s three priorities are: sales, sales, sales. BOOM! The room shook every time this cheer was chanted. Looks like the stores will be rocking and rolling with great sales as the conversion/rollout takes place! BOOM!
The circle of life continues as industry veteran Mark Tarzwell and his lovely wife Donna have much to be thankful for this month. First, their daughter Kelly was married August 29 to Marc Cottingham at Saint Patrick’s Church in Center City Philadelphia followed by a reception at the Hotel Sofitel. Kelly is the national accounts manager of club stores for Smucker’s. The couple, who reside in Providence, RI, honeymooned in Bar Harbor, ME. A few days later, on September 1, the Tarzwell’s daughter Christine and her husband Bill Chambers Jr. welcomed their first child, William Chambers III. Little Billy weighed in at 8 pounds, 7 ounces. Everyone is happy and healthy. Congratulations! Also, tying the knot this month is longtime bachelor Joe Pace III of Pace Target Brokerage who married Courtney Hineline on September 18 at the Union Trust in Philadelphia. The newlyweds traveled to Jamaica for their honeymoon. Auguri!
Birthday shout-outs for the back to the routine month of September go to: Ed Elborne, Nick Sborlini and Anne Marie Mozzone, Acme Markets; Rick Dolan, Herr Foods; Lauren Eni, Dietz & Watson; Nate Ostroff, Network Food Brokers; Joe Gardyan, Utz Snacks; Bob Higgins, SJU; and Joe Seiler, retired Campbell’s. Buon compleanno a tutti!
To our industry friends and colleagues of the Jewish faith, we extend best wishes… l’shana tovah! Happy New Year!
Quote of the month: “Technology helps us become more efficient and productive but our business still has a lot of art as opposed to strictly science.” James Sinegal, co-founder and former CEO of Costco
