Well, here we are in the midst of a hot summer, and this damn coronavirus is still hanging around. Fortunately, we have seen some of our essential workers and retailers move forward with store openings and they aren’t going to let this pandemic thwart their efforts. I was able to visit two store openings over the last couple of weeks, and it was good to see the enthusiasm from the store owners, associates and more importantly, the communities that they will be serving. The first store opening occurred in Mamaroneck, NY when North Shore Farms opened its newest location (ninth overall). The site is a former A&P which North Shore acquired from that now-defunct retailer’s bankruptcy proceedings and which now stands at 13,500 square feet of selling space. I remember that location as being a real run-down A&P, and the North Shore Farms team has really put their exquisite touch on the store.
The store offers an outstanding perimeter, with an in-store bakery, service deli, fresh seafood, butcher, and an abundance of locally sourced foods. A staple of North Shore Farms is the oversized cheese department including a fresh mozzarella section, fresh pasta and an abundance of international and artisanal cheeses. “We’re excited to bring North Shore Farms to Mamaroneck and to Westchester County,” said George Tsiatis, a spokesperson for the company. “We are thrilled to join such a welcoming an vibrant community, and we look forward to serving them now and in the future.” Best wishes to North Shore Farms.
The second opening happened in the Bronx on Pelham Parkway right off of the Bronx River Parkway, as Jose Grullon opened his sixth Antillana Superfood Marketplace. A huge crowd was lined up on the sidewalk eager to enter the 7,500 square foot store that had been entirely refurbished. An extensive array and display of tropical, organic and local produce entices customers as they enter the store and from there it is all service. A full service deli department and a fresh meat department with on-site butchers were constantly busy during my time at the store. While Jose was unable to make it to the store opening due to COVID-19 travel restrictions, he was ably represented by his staff and team including his daughter Jennifer and cousin Henry Grullon. Good luck!
Scheduled to open in late July/early August and boost Lid’s presence on Long Island are locations in East Meadow and Patchogue. The stores are the former Best Market units Lidl acquired in 2018. After that, remodeling will commence on stores in Astoria, Franklin Square and Massapequa with openings scheduled for early 2021.
We were saddened to learn that Jim Sbarro passed away on June 26 at the age of 60. I remember Jim well from his days at Carando Foods and some of the old EDDA shows/committees/dinners. After Farmland Foods acquired Carando, Jim started to ascend the corporate ladder and made the move to Kansas City. He held a variety of executive positions in sales and marketing before eventually becoming the president and CEO of Farmland Foods, (then a division of Smithfield Foods) overseeing brands such as Farmland, John Morrell Fresh Pork, Cooks Foods, Carando Italian Specialties, North Side Foods and Premium Standard Farms. He retired in 2010 and moved back to New Jersey where he established Pay it Forward, a consultancy and guidance company for small privately held companies as well as work with college graduates on a pro-bono basis. He is survived by his wife Maria, sons Anthony and Joseph, daughter Christina and his mother Gertrude, as well as many other extended family members. The family requests that any donations made in his memory be sent to the Clark Volunteer Emergency Squad, 875 Raritan Road, Clark, NJ 07066. May his soul rest in peace.
We heard from Randi Shubin Dresner, president and CEO of Island Harvest Food Bank. Each year, Island Harvest Food Bank has hosted a major fundraising event at Citi Field to raise vital funds that put food on the plate to help those who are struggling with hunger. We’ll let Randi’s own words take it from there.
“While the start of the baseball season may be delayed, we all know that there’s no crying in baseball—and so Team Island Harvest decided to take a swing at something new for our Home Run to End Hunger event. This year, we are excited to be bringing the field and the fun directly to our generous supporters home. With this virtual fundraiser, Team Island Harvest hopes to raise $100,000 towards our Emergency Response and Recovery Fund, an initiative put in place to help meet the increased need for food across Long Island during the COVID-19 pandemic. Over the last several months, Team Island Harvest has been busy distributing meal boxes to Long Islanders affected by the outbreak. These meal boxes are specially-designed to accommodate the different needs of seniors, veterans, children, and families of varying sizes, and can provide food for up to three to four days. A $25 donation funds the purchase of one meal box. This is where Team Island Harvest needs your help. To reach our $100,000 goal, we are asking Island Harvest fans to raise funds in support of our Emergency Response and Recovery Fund. The current public health crisis has made your support of our hunger-relief work more important than ever. In addition, contributors to our hunger-relief efforts will be placed in the running for various exciting raffle gifts and prizes, including tickets to a 2021 NY Mets baseball game! In September, after the campaign has ended, Island Harvest Food Bank will hold a ticket drawing to announce the lucky winners. The game may have changed, but our objective remains the same: feeding Long Islanders in need. This need is greater than ever due to the COVID-19 outbreak, and Team Island Harvest is asking for your help in order to purchase and distribute as many meal boxes as possible. Please join us for this exciting new fundraiser, and together, we will address the growing demand for food support in our communities during this unpresented time. So batter up, and let’s play ball!” Well, said Randi! For anyone looking to help in the cause go to www.homeruntoendhunger.com.
Goya Foods has continued their support of distressed families and communities with the distribution of two million pounds of food to families impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, a commitment made by Goya at the start of the pandemic. In collaboration with Silgan Containers from New Jersey and Wisconsin (cans); U.S. Steel (steel); Goya de Puerto Rico-Island Can (can lids), Producers Rice Mill of Arkansas (rice); Gamse Labels of Maryland (labels); DanHill Containers of Texas (cartons); and American Farmers from Washington State (beans), all made in the USA, the food will be distributed through local food banks, churches, community centers, soup kitchens, and outreach programs that are in urgent need across the nation and Puerto Rico. The roll-out of the national campaign Working for Our Country #GoyaGives began on July 13th in key communities throughout the U.S. including New York, New Jersey, Chicago, Miami, Orlando, Los Angeles, Houston, Puerto Rico, and other markets.
“Our donation pays tribute to the dedication and hard work of 4,000 Goya employees. When the pandemic first struck, they rolled up their sleeves and worked 24/7 at the risk of their own health saying, ‘If we don’t do this, who will?’ That shows grit and courage, and I am so proud of our Goya family. We are and will always be a company of passionate people who care about making a difference, and today we honor our promise to continue to help our communities in times of need,” said Bob Unanue, president of Goya Foods. Through Goya Gives, a global program committed to promoting the overall well-being of communities through social responsibility, environmental initiatives, and company values, Goya supports each year nearly 300 charitable endeavors, scholarships, and events. Well done to all of the Goya associates!
That will wrap it up for this month. I’m chomping at the bit to continue getting out in the field, and as long as we all remain diligent in our safety protocols, I believe we will continue with this “slow build” we are starting to experience. Stay well everyone and as always you can reach me at [email protected] or 201.250.2217.