Greetings all and I hope everyone enjoyed the summer. Here we are entering Q3 of the year and getting ready to finish out the year strong.
Well, it looks like the Hunts Point produce market may finally be getting fresh digs. The big wholesale fruit and vegetable cooperative in the Bronx is talking again with the city about building entirely new warehouses to accommodate the market’s growing space needs. The New York Post reported that a previous $400 million plan that would have added capacity on the city-owned site — but kept about 1 million square feet of existing warehouses — has been scrapped. The latest lease negotiations with the city’s Economic Development Corp. are focused on new buildings that would be constructed in stages, according to Joel Fierman, co-president of the 38-member co-op. As each member moves in, the old warehouses would be torn down. New FDA safety regulations that impose strict standards for water and soil testing and require labels identifying the originating farm on every food box are bringing renewed urgency to a situation that has dragged on for nearly two decades. The 113-acre market, which sits on a peninsula between the Bronx and East rivers, is the world’s largest supplier of fresh fruits and vegetables and serves the region’s wholesale and retail businesses, including supermarkets, produce stands and mom-and-pop stores.
The co-op merchants have long complained about the site’s shortcomings (cramped quarters and vehicle congestion among them) and at one point threatened to pull up stakes and move to New Jersey. There are 13 miles of interior track along with 120,000 tractor-trailers and a million buyers with small vans and trucks all vying for space. Without enough cold storage in the warehouses, hundreds of parked refrigerated trailers operate on the market’s fenced-in site. These trailers run primarily on diesel fuel and spew fumes. Fierman says his company, Fierman’s Produce Exchange, and other co-op owners already use some trailers that can operate on electricity part-time.
“But as we move toward cleaner energy, there is no electrical capacity to support the infrastructure,” he said. To that end, the city is working with the market to fund $10.5 million worth of capital improvement projects over a seven-year period, including lighting and electrical upgrades, a City Economic Development spokesman said. In addition, $8.5 million in city capital has been committed for rail upgrades. The agency will also be working with the market on the long-term redevelopment plan.
Even so, a new facility will almost certainly cost more to develop than the plan fleshed out just a few years ago, when the co-op owners balked at sharing half the cost.
There were also bitter compalints at the time about strict oversight by the Business Integrity Commission, which has evolved into a more cordial relationship. “Everyone seems to be a little more aggressive and for this plan,” Fierman said. “We are on the last five years of the seven-year lease option [with the city]. They are agreeable and have come to the table.” Hopefully it gets done this time.
Kudos to all at Krasdale Foods and Alpha 1 Marketing on one of the best buying shows they have put on in recent memory. Many reliable sources have all pointed to Dylana Silver as the point person who really brought it all together for this year’s show. A record number of exhibitors, attendees and a craft beer garden helped bring a real sizzle to the show. Congrats all and well done!
We were saddened to learn that Roni Daniel of Jetro Cash & Carry/Restaurant Depot passed away on August 31 in Hackensack, NJ at the age of 54. Roni was the vice president of purchasing at Jetro/Restaurant Depot. He was a tough but fair customer and attributed his drive to his upbringing in Israel. Love him or hate him, everyone agreed he was a straight shooter, and he was always promoting Jetro as a tier one customer to the trade. Roni began his career in retail in 1988 with supermarket Supersol as an assistant branch manager. After working at the Tel Aviv-based retailer for four years, he moved his family to the U.S. and began working as an assistant branch manager-in-training for Jetro Cash & Carry. He quickly became branch manager for the retailer’s Bronx location, its largest store. In 1997, he became a candy and snack buyer for the East Coast region, moving to national buyer in 1998. In the years to come, additional categories — beverages, general merchandise and grocery — were added to his coverage. Eventually he became responsible for all retail products at the company, being promoted in 2002 to national vice president of all retail categories. During the past 13 years the firm has expanded into 33 states with more than 110 locations and continues to grow. Included in that store count is Crazy Roni, a Restaurant Depot converted into a warehouse specifically tailored for candy, snacks and beverages. Named for him after he came up with the retail format, Roni said it was a testament to his commitment to the industry. Roni had suffered a stroke four years ago, and although it slowed him down a little, he was diligent in his therapy and worked extensively with a nutritionist and trainer and was doing well. Which is why it was such a surprise to hear he suffered a massive heart attack. He is survived by his wife Sharon and their three children, Adam, Leigh and Ben. May his soul rest in peace.
Key Food Stores unveiled their first corporately owned store this month in Jackson Heights, Queens. The store is bannered as a Food Universe and was formerly a Waldbaum’s location that was acquired in the A&P auction last November. I remember this location well, as one of my aunts lived nearby and was her go-to “big supermarket” back in the day (despite the fact it was run down even then). To say that the Key Food staff executed yeoman’s work on the site would be an understatement. A solid seven months of work and extensive renovations have yielded a spectacular debut for the corporate store. Although it’s 25,000 square feet, the store plays larger than that. Included in the remodeling – and one of the store’s showcase areas – is the improved deli department with an extended case filled with a full line of Boar’s Head products, halal options, and a grab and go section featuring prepared entrees from Russo’s on the Bay. The meat department has also been expanded to include halal and custom cut-to-order options. Shoppers will also enjoy an abundance of craft beer choices. “We are so proud to open our doors to the people of Jackson Heights and celebrate with this great neighborhood,” says CEO Dean Janeway. “Food Universe is here to provide the community with the highest quality products at the lowest prices, creating a shopping experience that is nothing short of stellar.” The store will be managed by Jim Drain who knows the area and customer base well since he was the longtime manager there with Waldbaum’s.
A big congratulations to Suhayl Sauma and International American Supermarkets (IAS) of Piscataway, NJ on being awarded the prestigious President’s “E” Excellence in Exports Award, or the Oscar of exporting awards. Established in 1980, IAS is a dynamic food export and marketing organization representing a number of major U.S. brands in overseas markets. IAS is a primary supplier of American branded food products and foodservice ingredients to the global marketplace. From their corporate and business headquarters located in Piscataway, IAS operates throughout Europe, the Middle East, the Americas and Africa. With a uniquely flexible processing capacity and a product base of more than 30 leading brands, IAS has the ability to handle a wide range of customer demands in terms of adaptation, volume and product assortment. New Jersey Congressman Frank Pallone visited the IAS offices recently to personally congratulate the entire IAS team on the recognition. The President’s “E” Award was created by Executive Order of the President on December 5, 1961, to afford suitable recognition to persons, firms or organizations which contribute significantly in the effort to increase United States exports. The President’s “E Star Award”, which was authorized by the secretary of commerce on August 4, 1969, affords continuing recognition of noteworthy export promotion efforts. The “E” and “E Star” Awards are the highest recognition any U.S. entity may receive for supporting export activity. Companies are nominated through their local US&FCS office. Congratulations to everyone at IAS!!
And finally, kudos to the team at Porky Products on an extremely successful trade show recently held at Citi Field in Flushing, New York. It seemed like every Porky customer was on hand to not only see and sample the various product offerings from the couple of hundred vendors, but also to network and enjoy the friendly surroundings. Citi Field was a magnificent setting for the every-other-year event and the weather was perfect with former Mets baseball greats on hand to greet attendees. Elliot Schnier and Jon Ewig ’s team really rolled out the red carpet for all. Kudos to Bob Hughes, Kevin Kreindel and Javon Ewig for spearheading the tremendous undertaking and making it a rousing success.
There are plenty of trade events and activities on the calendar now that autumn is here. Hope to see you out at some of them and, as always, you can reach me at 201.250.2217 or [email protected]