How’s that new normal working for you? I honestly hope that everyone is faring better now that the weather has warmed up a bit (we actually had a Spring season this year). Even though the Delaware and Lehigh Valley areas are still under stay-at-home orders, we are managing to get out more. At least we can plant the flowers and veggies that bring a sense of accomplishment and get some much needed sun for our well-being. And, oh yeah, Governor Tom Wolf signed House Bill 327, now Act 21 of 2020, allowing the temporary sale of cocktails-to-go from bars, restaurants and hotels with a liquor license just before presstime. Now that sounds like it’s life sustaining, right? Not so much. I need a haircut (and color).
Speaking of getting out, my family finally allowed me to go to the market after two months of staying in. Although there weren’t any lines to wait in, I was saddened upon entering. Stanchions were set up all over the place with arrows and dots telling people which way to go. Of course, many didn’t abide by them and just meandered through the aisles like they were shopping for a Spring wardrobe. I was armed with a mask, disinfectant wipes and a list, written out by aisle so I could get the job done as quickly as possible. The store looked sad, the “sexy” was gone. The food bars are now closed waiting for their fate – to be reimagined or redesigned for grab-and-go. Seating areas and any kind of self-serve bulk food sections are closed and replaced with dump bins filled with the product of the moment. The markets are a work in progress and hopefully, the consumer will guide the retailers’ decisions, not the government.
In times of need, the food industry really steps up. Not just some of the time, all the time. Whether it’s a hurricane or a pandemic, the generosity of our people is astounding. The Wawa Foundation COVID-19 Emergency Food Distribution Fund was established on March 20, 2020 with the goal of supporting local food banks and non-profits working to relieve hunger in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, Florida and Washington, DC. In April, the foundation designated $150,000 to 21 Feeding America Food Bank Partners throughout Wawa’s footprint of nearly 900 stores. Organizations throughout the states Wawa serves each received monetary donations ranging from $1,000 to $34,000 to address the crisis of hunger in their communities. By mid-May, that number rose to $371,500 to more than 200 organizations to reduce hunger. To top that off, during National Nurses Week (May 6-12), Wawa had an initiative called “Hoagies for Healthcare Heroes,” allowing customers to support hospital workers by ordering a Shorti on the Wawa app. For every Shorti hoagie purchased, Wawa matched the purchase by donating one Shorti hoagie coupon to a hospital worker, (up to 50,000 hoagies coupons) throughout its operating area. Thanks for helping our front line medical workers.
During these hard times, small businesses have been suffering as much as the people they serve. To the rescue comes The Giant Company, which earlier this month announced the more than 100 recipients of its emergency grant program. In partnership with Team Pennsylvania, Giant originally designated $250,000 for the program, but due to the overwhelming response, the company decided to double the amount of funding available to $500,000. In all, the company awarded 110 grants to help support small businesses in Pennsylvania’s food supply chain impacted by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. “Reviewing more than 500 applications from small businesses across the Commonwealth confirmed what we knew in our hearts: that the pandemic is having a devastating impact on our small business community,” said company president Nick Bertram. “We’re inspired by the strength and stories of these local businesses that, in many cases, have been serving our communities for generations. As a company focused on connecting families for a better future, doubling the funding to $500,000 was an easy decision because it meant we could provide more hope and help to these hard-working families and let them know that they are not alone.” More than 500 applications were received during the two-week application period, with more than 60 in the first 24 hours. The 110 recipients span the entire Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and represent multiple areas of the food supply chain. “Our team was honored to work together with Giant to truly make a difference for small businesses in the commonwealth as they answer the call to feed fellow Pennsylvanians,” said Ryan Unger, president and CEO, Team Pennsylvania. “Reading through the applications it is crystal clear that we all need to find ways to support these critical cogs in our agricultural supply chain. Their experiences will inform us as we work with our economic development and public sector partners to reopen and recover.” In addition, with grants ranging from $2,500 up to $15,000, 55 percent of grants awarded are going to PA Preferred companies and special designations (LGBT-owned, veteran-owned, women-owned, minority-owned, USDA defined beginner rancher/farmer, USDA defined socially disadvantaged and limited resource farmer) account for more than half of the grants awarded. That’s how we do it in Pennsylvania!
Following the debut of a new logo, mission statement and a 100 birthday celebration in 2019, specialty produce wholesaler and distributor John Vena Inc. (JVI) has launched a fully redesigned website at www.JohnVenaProduce.com. JVI president John Vena, the third generation of the Vena family to be at the helm, decided it was time to bring his team’s expertise to life online. The colorful website offers a host of new features. The centerpiece of the site is a comprehensive product database with detailed information on the wide range of specialty fruits, vegetables, and herbs that the company handles. “We’re very excited about our product database,” said Vena. “This will be a great resource for our customers, who have long requested a digital reference tool from us. We know our customers work day and night, just like we do – so it was important to us that this kind of information be available to them anytime, anywhere.” The product pages have been tailored for produce industry professionals who need accurate information that will help them handle specialty like a pro. From technical warehouse handling tips that will extend shelf life and improve delivered quality, to culinary applications that will inspire sales teams and consumers, the new JVI website should be a go-to tool for all food professionals.
“More products are being added to the database every day,” says director of marketing Emily Kohlhas. “And we’re already looking forward to the next level of functionality – like working with bloggers to include links to authentic recipes or offering free commodity guides that can be downloaded and
forwarded directly to an entire sales team in just a few clicks.” The site also highlights the range of clients JVI serves, which includes foodservice distributors, retailers, and meal kit companies, as well as the company’s suite of custom services from ripening to repacking. “Our mission is to make the business of food more interesting, more exciting, and more fun for our customers – and their customers,” reflected Vena. “I believe this site brings the joy our team has for that mission to life, and I hope our customers feel more engaged with our team and our products when they visit it.” My advice is to take a look, it’s a winner!
Earlier this month, the Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association (PFMA), which advocates for thousands of grocers, convenience stores, and wholesalers throughout Pennsylvania, welcomed Redner’s Markets to its membership and appointed Redner’s president and CEO Ryan Redner to its board of directors.
“Redner’s is 100-percent employee owned and has been serving Eastern Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Maryland customers loyally for more than 50 years,” PFMA president and CEO Alex Baloga said. “We’re proud to add Redner’s to our growing membership and honored to have someone of Ryan Redner’s leadership and expertise serving on our board of directors.” Congrats!
Yet another friend and food industry veteran has passed from complications related to the COVID-19 virus. John Iapichino Jr., vice president of Biazzo Dairy Products, Inc., left us on April 22 at the age of 63. John began working in the family cheese business in 1986 and was the driving force and spirit of the company. He truly loved the business and the many friends and associates he made over the years, and was looking forward to retiring at some point, where the only decision he would have to make was what clothes to put on each morning. He loved traveling and making memories with his family. He was a gentleman and a gentle man, good and kind. John was predeceased by his father John Sr. and his granddaughter Elaina Sarabamoun. He is survived by his wife Diana; two daughters, both of whom are nurses, Dana Iapichino and Michelle Sarabamoun (Nader); his mother Anna; brother Joseph (Lavea) and many family members and friends. Due to COVID-19 constraints, the funeral was private. A memorial celebration of John’s life will be held at a future date when family and friends can be together. The family requests donations in his memory be made in memory of his granddaughter to the Forget Me Not Foundation, 225 Lakeview Drive, Ridgewood, NJ 07450, www.fmnfoundation.com/donate. Rest in peace, John.
The circle of life continues as the first-born fifth generation member of the Dietz & Watson family has made her entrance during the pandemic. We welcome to the world little Miss Avery Josephine Canseco, daughter of Lauren Eni Canseco and her husband Dr. Jose Canseco, on April 23. Weighing in at 8 pounds, 3 ounces, baby Avery was also welcomed by her grandparents Nina and Louis Eni Jr., who are over the moon with the arrival of their first grandchild. Congratulations to all!
Birthday shout-outs for the lovely month of May go to: George Endrigian, George’s Market; Anthony L. Maglio, retired from Maglio Sausage; Doug Buchanan, Brandywine Marketing; Jan Gabriel, Paul G. Nester and Co.; Bill Hinderer, National Food Sales; Beth Pripstein, Food World/Food Trade News office manager; and Dick Bestany, chairman emeritus and co-founder of Best-Met Publishing. Buon compleanno a tutti! I want to send a special shout out to JDRF as they recognize 50 years of research toward finding a cure for Type 1 Diabetes. It is not a celebration because they had hoped a cure would have been found by now, but an acknowledgment of the progress that has been made since their founding on May 21, 1970, saving many lives along the way.
Quote of the month: “The secret of change is to focus all of your energy, not on fighting the old, but on building the new.” Socrates
Maria can be reached at [email protected]