This past month has been a busy one for the industry and hence for me. So much so that I am looking forward to relaxing during the upcoming holidays!
Giant/Carlisle customers donated $588,075 during its annual “Bag Hunger” campaign, held during September in all stores, to support local and regional food banks in four states, the second of the year. “Giant/Martin’s remains committed to the fight against hunger by supporting our local food banks and pantries in their ongoing mission to help feed our neighbors,” said Tom Lenkevich, president of the division of Ahold USA. “I want to thank all of our generous customers and associates who make our Bag Hunger campaigns so successful.” Major recipient food banks in our area 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.
Once again, the 67th annual Produce Marketing Association (PMA) PMA Fresh Summit Convention & Expo was a dazzler. The 67th annual show, held last month in Orlando with more than 10,000 attendees from 65 countries, setting a new East Cost record. “Each year we are introduced to new, promising innovations that give us an inside look at our industry’s bright future,” said PMA exhibitor advisory committee chair Kevin Steiner, director of business development for Sage Fruit Company. “And this year was no different!” At the show, PMA president Cathy Burns announced that the Bryan E. Silbermann Collaboration Award is being established in recognition of his 30-year career at PMA, including 20 years as its president. “Throughout his career, Bryan brought a collaborative spirit that engaged and motivated industry leaders to work together to create opportunities and solutions to challenges, so much so that collaboration has become a defining characteristic of PMA,” said Burns. “We want to honor Bryan with this award as PMA continues to expand its role as a prominent voice for the fresh produce and floral communities worldwide.” At the end of the show exhibitors donated 258,815 pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables to Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida, an Orlando-based nonprofit organization that collects, stores and distributes donated food to more than 550 feeding partners in six central Florida counties.
On October 11, Saint Joseph’s University’s (SJU) department of food marketing, Haub School of Business, held its 11th Food Industry Summit. This year’s summit, “Frontiers in Food: The Future of Fresh Prepared and On-the-Go,” was relevant, informative and educational, a complete turnaround from last year’s disastrous event. The atmosphere was livelier than in 2015, too. The varied format was more interactive, so one did not feel as if every presenter was lecturing to the audience. Ably led by Dr. Emily Moscato, Dr. Sara Williamson and Mr. George Latella, almost 200 attendees spent the day hearing from experts in every sector of the food industry discuss what consumers expect and how to meet those expectations going forward. This year’s summit gets an “A” grade and a “can’t wait for next year’s topic” from this Hawk Hill alum.
Procacci Brothers and its affiliated farming operation, Santa Sweets Inc., announced a new partnership with the Spanish Sports Network and Camden Catholic High School (CCHS), Camden, NJ, to create a scholarship fund for Hispanic students at CCHS. Procacci Brothers and Santa Sweets donated $100 for every home run hit by the Philadelphia Phillies during the 2016 season to establish the “Estrella Naciente” (Rising Star) Scholarship fund. The Phillies’ season-ending tally of 161 home runs, their highest total since the 2010 team that finished with baseball’s best record, resulted in a donation amount of $16,100. The scholarship will provide generous and renewable tuition assistance to “Rising Star” Hispanic students each year, beginning with two recipients from Camden Catholic’s Class of 2020 during the 2017-2018 academic year. The recipients of the scholarship will be selected based on demonstrated academic achievement, financial need, and community involvement. Following the deadline application of January 7, 2017, winners will be announced in April of 2017. For one member of Procacci Brothers’ leadership, the scholarship fund will have a special personal connection. “When I was a young man, Camden Catholic High School helped to shape me into the person that I am today,” said COO Joseph M. Procacci (J.M.). “The Procacci family and our companies are so honored to have the opportunity to help provide great educational opportunities for young leaders in the Hispanic community.”
“The Estrella Naciente Scholarship program is providing the opportunity of a well-rounded college preparatory education to qualified, motivated and extremely grateful students and their families,” said Mary Whipkey, Camden Catholic president. “We appreciate the generosity of Procacci Brothers, as they perpetuate the Camden Catholic ideals of Honor, Faith and Loyalty among a promising generation of Latino students.”
A congratulatory shout out to newly elected PMA vice chair Paul Kneeland, VP-fresh merchandising for Ahold USA’s Fresh Formats LLC division based in Canton, MA. Paul is a veteran of the retail food business since 1981, forging his way from bagging groceries part time to holding leadership positions in three supermarket chains. Kneeland has served the produce industry on regional produce councils, particularly as president of the Eastern Produce Council and on various committees and the board of directors for PMA. He has chaired two regional produce shows with years of experience in strategic planning and operating each of those events profitably and successfully. Kneeland also serves on PMA’s Fresh Summit committee. Good job, Paul!
A tip of the hat to Jim McCaffrey III on being the recipient of the Best-Met Publishing Pete Manos Retail Executive of the Year Award for 2016. Jim joins many other retailers from our area who have received this award and who are always at the top of their game…couldn’t go to a nicer guy!
Taking a walk into the sunset this month is New Jersey Department of Agriculture (NJDA) assistant secretary Al Murray, who is retiring after 33 years of service. Born and raised in Audubon, Camden County, and a former mayor of that borough, Al still resides in his hometown. Murray, a 1983 graduate of Susquehanna University with degrees in marketing and management, joined the department in October 1983 as an agricultural marketing specialist. In that role, he helped develop the “Jersey Fresh” marketing campaign, which has become synonymous with New Jersey agriculture. In 1995, he was named chief of the bureau of market expansion and in 2000 promoted to director of the division of marketing and development. We will miss him at the shows and hope to see him back in the industry in some way very soon. Best
of luck Al!
The circle of life continues as we at Best-Met congratulate our fearless leader Jeff Metzger on the birth of his first grandchild, Zeke Gregson Cohen. Baby Zeke, who arrived on November 14, is the son of Dana (Metzger) and Michael Cohen. All are happy and healthy and looking forward to the many New York Mets games Zeke will enjoy with his grandfather. Auguri!
Birthday shout-outs for the grateful month of November go to: Jim Mullen, Giant Carlisle; Mike Mackin, Schmidt Baking; Curt Gruber, retired from Acosta; Mike Marano, Force One; Pat McCarthy, retired from Ocean Spray; Anthony Maglio, Maglio Sausage; Bernie Ellis, retired industry veteran; and me, still crazy after all these years! Buon compleanno a tutti!
As we gather with family and friends to celebrate this most American holiday, please
remember those who are without the means to put a Thanksgiving dinner on their table, and say a prayer for our troops at home and abroad who continue to sacrifice every day for our way of life. Happy Thanksgiving!
Quote of the month: “The best thing about the future is that it comes one day at a time.” Abraham Lincoln