Greetings all and a very Happy New Year to everyone. I hope you all had a chance to enjoy the holidays with loved ones and are now focused on making 2021 a better year.
Big news occurred in our local market when word was released that Joe Garcia, Associated Supermarket Group’s (ASG) chief executive, and Zulema Wiscovitch, ASG’s executive VP and chief administrative officer had acquired the company from AUA Private Equity Partners, LLC, (AUA) the hedge fund led by former Goya exec Andy Unanue. AUA had purchased ASG in December 2012 from Harry Laufer and Ira Gober with the intention to restructure the company into a more institutional and formalized business model, rather than the former type of free-wheeling, yet successful business Harry and Ira had built.
You can turn to page 1 of this issue of Food Trade News to read about the details of the transaction and the full story, but suffice to say, this could be the start of something really good for the team at ASG, which for too long has had a “cloud” hanging over it. And while that wasn’t entirely accurate, the continued chatter in the industry was consistently aimed against ASG, and it presented some really hellacious challenges. The fact is, though, that quietly over the last two years, (while also working on trying to put the deal together), ASG has “steadied the ship” and assembled a solid team out in the field as well as headquarters. The new year should be a good one for ASG and we look forward to sharing news of their successes with you as they occur.
Gold’s Pure Foods LLC will shutter its plant and sell its equipment in Hempstead, Long Island when its lease expires on March 31. A statement from Bob Helland, EVP sales and marketing, cited the COVID-19 pandemic, aging manufacturing equipment and changes in the marketplace for the shutdown. “We are exploring options to continue the production of our world famous Gold’s horseradish, mustard, specialty soups and sauces along with our Fox’s line of U-Bet syrups,” he said. “We do not anticipate any disruption in the distribution or supply chain.” The company, which started in 1932, was owned by the Gold family until 2015 when it was acquired for an undisclosed sum by private equity firm LaSalle Capital. Gold’s Pure Foods was then folded into the Westminster Foods LLC unit of LaSalle which includes Westminster Cracker Company and Fox’s U-Bet. Gold’s spent its first 62 years in a plant and office located on MacDonald Avenue in Brooklyn until its move in 1994 to Long Island.
And while one Long Island plant closes another expands. Seviroli Foods Inc. and its affiliate Vertullo Imports plan to expand into nearly 100,000 square feet of space in Hauppauge, said Paul Vertullo, COO.
The company, which currently operates five sites in Garden City, expects to use the new space for manufacturing, distribution and administrative operations. With their foodservice sales down due to the pandemic, the company has been hyper-focused on supplying supermarkets and retailers with its line of frozen tortellini, ravioli, cannelloni and other pasta, sauces, meal kits and imported foods. The Hauppauge site was home to Castella Imports until it closed its doors in May 2020.
I was very saddened to learn that an old food industry icon passed away when word came across my desk that Sidney Weiss died at the beginning of the year at the age of 87. Sid started his career with the old E Kahn’s and Sons, which became Hillshire Farm & Kahn’s, and ultimately Sara Lee Foods. He spent more than 40 years with the company in a myriad of management roles and led the introduction of the Hillshire Farm and Kahn’s brands into the northeast while building a brand empire over the decades. I remember first meeting Sid when I called on him in his old office off of Woodhaven Boulevard in Rego Park, Queens. He was an affable man, yet he had a keen business mind and a savviness about him that I found very engaging. Perhaps one of his strongest assets was his ability to lead, and it showed through the many food industry executives he hired, instructed and counseled through the decades. Folks like Sal Napolitano, John Tuttle, Art Woolis, Sam Strousberg, David Weaver and his own son Bill Weiss, can all point to Sid as a boss, friend and mentor (I know I’m leaving out many others, so please forgive me). Sid was literally one of the “meat gurus” of the industry. A true legend and a terrific storyteller, it seemed that no matter the industry show, dinner or event, he could always be found holding court with nearly every meat buyer, merchandiser or independent operator in the industry. Sid lost his first wife Joanne in 2011, but found love again and remarried a terrific woman, Alyce, in 2015 and was residing in Boynton Beach, FL. In addition to Alyce and his son Bill, he is survived by daughters Sandy and Sharon and many cherished grandchildren. May his soul rest in eternal peace and his family and friends find comfort in his memory.
The meat industry lost another industry veteran when Robert Corazza passed away on the night of Christmas Eve at the age of 67. Bob was the president of Fancy Foods, Inc. and a 50-year veteran of the food and protein industry. Together with his brother and best friend Tommy and partners Bob Dee and Richard Cappelluzzo, they built Fancy Foods into a multifaceted purveyor of fine foods. In a company statement, he was described as a beloved patriarch who had a “big heart” while always advocating success, fairness and continued advancement of the industry, for which he will always be remembered. He leaves behind his beloved Martha Lopez and daughters Yariela and Emile; sons, Jesse, Jason and Justin and their wives and his grandchildren as well as his extended Fancy Foods family and many friends. The family asks those wishing to honor Robert plant a memorial tree in his name. Go to www.tributestore.com and enter Robert Corazza. May he rest in peace.Finally, our deepest condolences to Cathy Brennan of JOH on the passing of her beloved husband Mike on December 31 at the age of 65. Mike Brennan spent his entire career in the food industry with employment at Fleming Foods, Dietz & Watson and most recently with Hormel Foods and was truly “one of the good guys.” He will be missed. In addition to Cathy, he is survived by his son Michael Jr., as well as brothers, a sister and many loving nieces, nephews and in-laws. The family asks that any memorial contributions in Mike’s name be made to the Church of St. Veronica, 4215 U.S. 9, Howell Township, NJ 07731. Mike was a Eucharistic Minister at St. Veronica’s and a fourth degree Knight at their council. May his soul rest in eternal peace.
A spectacular new Uncle Giuseppe’s held the official ribbon-cutting and grand opening recently for its North Babylon store. The 40,000 square foot unit (which takes over a space occupied for decades by King Kullen) was first set to open in the late spring or summer but instead softly opened on December 15 to take advantage of the Christmas season, according to spokeswoman Jillian Gundy.
The chain wanted customers to have access to its premium meats, deli platters and baked goods in time for the holidays, she said, adding feedback from the community has “all been very positive.”
The store is Uncle Giuseppe’s ninth unit overall and seventh on Long Island. A second New Jersey store in Morris Plains is planned for late 2021, and word is that a third NJ location is also in the works.
With every new Uncle Giuseppe’s opening (the last one was in 2017 in Melville), the upscale operator seems to raise the bar on the offerings for their customers. Kudos to the entire Giuseppe’s team and if you are anywhere near the North Babylon area, you should definitely check this store out!
Well, that will do it for now. Spring is around the corner, vaccinations are happening, and with any luck we will all be out and about and returning to some sense of normalcy soon. In the interim, stay safe, stay smart, stay focused and stay healthy. As always you can reach me at 201.250.2217 or [email protected].
