As we go to press, the light at the end of the pandemic tunnel seems closer as Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine is being delivered and administered, which had been thought to be impossible in such a short period of time. This is perhaps the best Christmas present our country could receive after nine months of hell. Even though the Northeast is being pummeled with snow and the final Christmas rush for gifts and food is on, the mood seems a bit more optimistic than it did a few weeks ago. Looking back, 2020 is certainly one year we would like to forget; but as we look forward to 2021, we need to remember 2020, the bad and the good – the true colors of many shone like bright lights reminding us that (most) people, in their core, want to contribute to the greater good. The fourth quarter is traditionally the time when people give back, but in 2020, the entire year was dedicated to giving: of service, time, food, and money to assist those who were in need due to pandemic related issues.
The season of giving has so much more meaning in 2020, especially on the part of our retailers, the most generous folks in the industry. In late November, Price Rite Marketplace and Feed the Children teamed up to host eight anti-hunger events in 2020 as part of their annual Feeding Minds & Bodies campaign that distributes food and essentials to vulnerable families in communities where Price Rite Marketplace stores operate. As a result of their efforts, $1.4 million worth of food and essentials were provided to 22,000 individuals. The events were held in cities across the Northeast from July through October and benefited families that were pre-identified based on need by a local community partner. Each participating family received a 25-pound box of food; 15-pound box of essentials that included shampoo, conditioner, lotion and personal-care items; and additional shelf-stable items provided by Price Rite Marketplace. “For six years we have been partnering with Feed the Children to provide food and essentials to local families in need,” said Jim Dorey, president of Price Rite Marketplace. “With so many people struggling due to the pandemic, our 2020 campaign had an even greater impact. I am incredibly proud that so many Price Rite associates took the time to help our neighbors struggling with food insecurity.” Fighting hunger is at the heart of Price Rite Marketplace’s charitable giving and paired with Feed the Children’s vision to create a world where no child goes to bed hungry, the two created an initiative called Feeding Minds & Bodies, which is designed to help bring attention to and fight the serious issue of childhood hunger. Since partnering with Feed the Children, Price Rite Marketplace has contributed nearly three million pounds of food, totaling more than $9 million in gift-in-kind donations, helping more than 145,000 people in 49 cities. Nice!
Since 1998, WMMR’s morning radio hosts Preston & Steve have been holding Camp Out for Hunger, whose mission has always remained the same, according to the radio station’s website: feed the food insecure of the Delaware Valley. The goal of the first Camp Out was to raise one ton of food, now it is the largest single site food drive in the country. The 2020 results are astounding, and it shows that the hearts of Philadelphians are huge (even though they boo Santa Claus). More than 2.5 million pounds of food was raised – 2,536,355lbs to be exact, that’s more than 1,200 tons of food.
Monetary donations totaled $1,743,232, including $1,357,246 donated by individuals at Acme Markets. Plus, over $221,000 was donated via wmmr.com. That represents thousands of listeners making donations online, both large and small amounts. On top of that, $164,000 in cash and checks was donated by friends and guests on site or pledged on air. So, here’s what happens. Hosts Preston and Steve literally park themselves in a parking lot for a week straight. They sleep in an RV all week long, broadcast their show every morning, and invite people to come by to donate food for area food banks, including Philabundance, the area’s largest hunger relief organization. The very first of these week-long food drives was held in the parking lot of the old Adams Mark Hotel on City Line Avenue. The live broadcasts became a spectacle that people needed to see. Local and national celebrities began to make their way on the air. The operation outgrew the hotel parking lot and moved to the Metro Plex Shopping Center in Plymouth Meeting. Eventually, the operation got too big and Camp Out moved to its current home, the parking lot of Xfinity Live! inside The Wells Fargo Center Complex. Congratulations to Preston & Steve and the team who puts this together each year! This is how we do it in Philly!
In mid-December, The Giant Company donated more than 3,000 hams to 14 partner food banks across Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia. An annual tradition for the company, the ham donations bring its brand platform For Today’s Table to life, ensuring families can celebrate the season with a staple in their holiday meals. “With more and more people turning to their local food bank or pantry for assistance than ever before, our hunger relief partners are telling us they expect an incredible demand for food throughout the holiday season,” said Emily Steinkamp, manager of social impact. “The Giant Company believes every family should be able to enjoy a meal together and donating hams is one way we are able to help make that possible. It’s our hope this donation makes the holidays just a bit brighter for our neighbors in need.” In addition to donating the center of the plate holiday dinner, The Giant Company announced earlier this month that it is expanding its partnership with the Flashfood app to an additional 33 stores this month. This follows a successful pilot program at select Lancaster, PA stores earlier this year. The Flashfood app allows customers to purchase fresh food, including produce, meat, deli and bakery products, nearing its best before date at significantly reduced prices. This is a win-win for everyone and something all retailers should be thinking about.
Two European retailers are competing vigorously for larger pieces of the proverbial American pie. Aldi and Lidl each opened stores in Philly the week after Thanksgiving. Aldi, one of America’s fastest-growing retailers, opened its 11th store inside of Philadelphia city limits on December 3. Located in a mixed-use development on Broad Street and Fairmount Avenue across the street from the Divine Lorraine Apartments, this store marks the eighth new Aldi in the city since 2015. The new store, at more than 15,000 square feet with six aisles, offers the largest sales floor space of its current Philadelphia locations. “Opening new grocery stores in the heart of a bustling city doesn’t happen every day, and we’re proud to provide even more Philadelphia residents easy access to fresh groceries at unbeatable prices,” said Bob Grammer, Center Valley division vice president. “We’ve been serving Philadelphia customers for more than 25 years, and we continue to open new stores in a variety of locations – cities, suburbs and rural areas – because savvy shoppers want Aldi in their communities. We are excited to open our first Philadelphia store in a mixed-use development, and we look forward to future expansion in the city.”
By contrast, Lidl opened its second store within Philadelphia city limits on the Roosevelt Boulevard and Welsh Road in the Northeast with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and gift cards to the first 100 visitors on December 2. Their first area location opened just about a year ago in the Port Richmond neighborhood.
A tip of the hat to Alex Baloga, president and CEO of the Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association (PFMA), who has joined the Food Industry Association Executives (FIAE) board of directors for 2021. Since 1927, FIAE has worked to represent local, state and regional food association executives. The professional association supports growth of its members’ employees and provides a forum for advancement of the food industry agenda. “It’s an honor to work with my colleagues across the industry while serving on the FIAE board,” Baloga said. “The food industry experienced rapid change and many challenges in 2020, which will impact how we move forward. It’s an exciting time to be part of that conversation and growth.” Baloga became PFMA president and CEO in 2017 after joining the organization in 2013. Congrats, Alex!
Here’s a little something to get you through the cold days ahead…the opening golf outing of the 2021 season, the MAFTO annual golf outing is scheduled for May 3 at Commonwealth Golf Club in Horsham, PA. It’s never too early to reserve a spot.
Birthday shout outs for the multi holiday month of December go to: Paul McGurkin, Integrity/ESM; Dorothy Hamilton, retired from Acme Markets; Sue Rorke-Lawler, Acme Markets; Alex Baloga, PFMA; Scott Smith, Philabundance; Linda Naddeo, HP Hood; and Lane Gordon, Winter Gardens. Buon compleanno a tutti!
Merry Christmahanakwanzika from all of us at Food Trade News. Warm wishes for a better 2021, Buone feste!
Quote of the month: “An optimist stays up until midnight to see the new year in. A pessimist stays up to make sure the old year leaves.” William E. Vaughan
