“Well the frost is on the pumpkin and the hay is in the barn,” wrote James Taylor in his 1974 song, “Walking Man.” Maybe not quite yet, but the last of the golf outings has been played, and assorted vendor and association meetings have begun anew. The Food World/Food Trade News 2017 Media Kit is ready, so it’s time for me to hit the road. The Grocery Industry Directory (GID) is also ready, so don’t forget to order yours at www.best-met.com/directory/.
Vacant Pathmark and Super Fresh stores continue to reinvent themselves in various forms in the Delaware Valley. The Super Fresh in New Hope, PA, which we heard was going to be a Trader Joe’s is actually going to become an expansion of the popular Bucks County gym, Cornerstone Fitness. A former Pathmark has been transformed into The Fresh Grocer of Upper Darby, operated by the Burns family, which has more than 30 years of experience in the supermarket business in the Greater Philadelphia area. The 53,000 square foot store celebrated its grand opening with a ribbon cutting ceremony on September 30. Doors opened to the many excited customers waiting in line immediately following the ribbon cutting. Upper Darby Township Mayor Thomas N. Micozzie joined the Burns Family in the celebration. The Fresh Grocer also made a check presentation to Philabundance, symbolizing the supermarket’s continued commitment to communities in which it does business. Donated funds will support local hunger relief efforts. The store, which employs approximately 200 full- and part-time workers, offers a state-of-the-art shopping experience with more than 40 varieties of home style prepared hot entrees made fresh daily, fire grilled chicken, a garden fresh salad bar and Fresh Grocer’s signature made-to-order hoagies and sandwiches. Customers will also find an in-store bakery, expansive meat department offering a service case with trained butchers available for custom cuts and special orders; a wide variety of fruits, vegetables and local produce; full service deli and seafood departments, and a beer and wine garden with wide variety of domestic and imported libations. The license was approved a few days before the opening. Congratulations all!
The Mid Atlantic Food Trades Organization (MAFTO) is honoring Safeway Eastern during a fun filled Gala Weekend at the Marriott Waterfront in Baltimore November 4-6. Newly installed division president Dan Valenzuela and Tom Lofland will accept the honor for Safeway. The weekend kicks off with a welcome dinner followed by a dessert party at the National Aquarium. Saturday’s afternoon adventures offer a number of options: a cruise and lunch around Baltimore Harbor; lunch and a cupcake decorating class at the famous Charm City Cakes, home of celebrity chef Duff Goldman, star of the Food Network’s Ace of Cakes; or lunch and a private tour of the B&O Railroad Museum. Saturday evening’s gala is always a good time. This year’s event will feature music by the Heartbeats. The weekend winds down with a Sunday brunch before heading home.
The proceeds from this event go toward college scholarships. There is still time to register at www.mafto.org See you in Baltimore!
The New Jersey Food Council Committee for Good Government (FCCfGG) hosted its 43rd Annual Good Government Breakfast at Forsgate Country Club September 28 with more than 200 food industry executives, business leaders and legislators in attendance. The political action arm of the New Jersey Food Council (NJFC), FCCfGG honored Senator Jeff Van Drew (D-1) and Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli (R-16) as Legislators of the Year for their efforts in support of the New Jersey food industry. Additionally, New Jersey Department of Health Commissioner Cathleen Bennett was presented with the Thomas W. Kelly Government Service Award. Recognizing leaders within the food industry, FCCfGG presented Tom Cormier of Ahold USA with the 2016 Good Government Award for his outstanding efforts advocating for our industry. “This breakfast is a celebration of the good government process and our commitment to working with government officials and legislators to develop sound public policy,” said FCCfGG Chairman Phil Scaduto of Food Circus Foodtown who welcomed attendees with opening remarks.
Representing businesses that collectively employ more than 200,000 New Jersey residents, NJFC President and CEO Linda Doherty highlighted the importance of advocacy and government partnerships in order to help grow the industry. “We’re one of the largest industries in New Jersey, and so it is critically important that we have these partnerships with local, state and federal government officials,” she said.
Attendees also heard from Peter Larkin, president and CEO of the National Grocers Association (NGA), who talked about a number of important issues facing the food industry at the state and federal level, including minimum wage and labor policy issues.
“Whether it is local government, state government or federal government, a lot of these issues have a tremendous impact on our businesses,” Larkin said, as he gave participants a briefing on the positions of this year’s presidential candidates in regards to the food industry.
“The New Jersey food industry has a strong commitment to advocacy and good government relations, as demonstrated by the outstanding attendance at this year’s event,” Doherty concluded. “This breakfast is always a great opportunity for food industry executives to talk with legislators on both sides of the aisle about the issues that matter most to their businesses. We look forward to continuing to build strong relationships with our elected officials in the months and years to come.”
The International Dairy-Deli-Bakery Association (IDDBA) elected the 2016-2017 officers and board of directors at its annual business meeting, held recently in Chicago, IL. Jewel Hunt, the Albertsons Companies, was elected as the association’s chairperson of the board. She has served on the board of directors since 2010 and has been involved on many committees. John Cheesman of Clyde’s Donuts, will continue to serve on the board of directors as past chair. Other new officers for 2016-2017 are: executive vice chairman, Erik Waterkotte of Columbus Craft Meats; vice chairman, Rick Findlay of Whole Foods; and treasurer, Gaetano Auricchio of BelGioioso.
The IDDBA’s Scholarship for Growing the Future broke records this August with its contribution of $103,000 toward the education of 91 employees at about 30 of its member companies. A significant benefit for members of IDDBA, the program aims to invest in students who work in the dairy, deli, and bakery industries, as well as in the grocery retail industry while pursuing a college degree. For the complete list of the board of directors and more information on the scholarship program, please visit www.iddba.org
Birthday shout outs for the thriller month of October go to: Mike Keba Jr., Giant/Carlisle; Charles Schuster, retired from RMG; Frank Nardi, retired from Wakefern; Ray Nemeth, Snyder’s/Lance; Justine Giordano, Vincent Giordano Company; Jeff Ghajar, Goya Foods; Mike Villari, Citterio; and Nina Weiland, FTN alumna. Buon compleanno a tutti!
Quote of the month: “Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit; wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.” Unknown