Happy 2021 to all of our industry friends! As I began writing this month, I took a glance back at Soup To Nutz from January 2020. The open was about being kind to ourselves and others, a good reminder for the new year with the continued vitriol circulating in our communities. We should also add compassion and empathy to that. Soon after, the COVID-19 pandemic hit our shores and our world was upended. Indeed, everything changed. Some changes – such as more family time, shorter commutes/working from home, cleaning out our homes and getting creative in the kitchen – were for the better. Naturally, some were for the worse – home schooling, social isolation as we were confined to our homes, and managing household schedules. Patience, binge watching Netflix shows and music were just a few things that helped us (and continue to) get through the pandemic. One thing we in the food industry know is that everything changed for us, too. How we go to business and how the consumer shops continue to be challenges we’re working on. Home delivery, e-commerce, curbside pick-up, or brick and mortar shopping – which will continue to grow in 2021? When the pandemic subsides after vaccinations are given out, will restaurants take back their portion of retailers’ increased sales? So much is up in the air as 2021 unfolds. Keep it here for every story!
Even though we are still entrenched in the pandemic, food trends for 2021 have been identified. I mean, we’re all still eating, right? Trolling through various lists, health, healthy eating and self-care were found to top them all. That includes expanding our menus to include more plant based products, and sourcing locally grown produce. Vegetables continue to be front and center as an essential part of a healthy diet, with a push to try new veggies (broccolini is now part of our weekly rotation). So too does olive oil, part of the acclaimed Mediterranean Diet. Nutrition has been on everyone’s mind as deficiencies leave us vulnerable to illness. Vitamin supplements, particularly vitamins C and D, as well as zinc are three basics that continue to be quite helpful when warding off or battling COVID-19. And then there’s the newest type of shopper, the Climatarian: an individual who is making food choices with the intention of changing how food is grown; shifting from a chemical-intensive model to one that promotes soil health, biodiversity, and healthy ecosystems; an important way to address climate change. They must have a lot of time on their hands. Of course, most of us have been cooking at home more since the start of the coronavirus outbreak, and consumers continue to seek out affordable, healthy meals that have a short prep time. That doesn’t mean that comfort food is off the table, consumers are just looking for a way to make them healthier. Meal kits are having a bit of a moment although they were losing ground before the pandemic. Just because we’re home doesn’t mean we want to spend all day in the kitchen. Speaking of trends, here’s the best thing I’ve heard since indoor dining was banned in New York City. Le Crocodile, a restaurant on the first floor of the Wythe Hotel in Brooklyn, NY began offering private dining in the hotel rooms. Guests can rent out the hotel room and order from Le Crocodile, creating their own dinner party. It’s not quite dining in a restaurant, but it gives folks the chance to enjoy the company of friends. Maybe that will catch on.
The folks at Redner’s Markets have unveiled a new look and name for their Quick Shoppe convenience stores/gas stations. The new name, “Quick Stop” has a clean logo similar to the Redner’s Fresh Market look. To date, two stores have been redone with the new look – Fleetwood and Reamstown. The next one will be the Bally location. Also a first in the Quick Stop convenience stores is beer and wine cafes. Look for more stores to roll out as the new year unfolds.
Two of my oldest friends in the industry decided to retire in the waning days of 2020. After a lifetime as brokers in Central and Upstate Pennsylvania, Jan Gabriel and Gary Larkin have taken a walk into the sunset, leaving the food business behind them. I can’t talk about one without the other, as they have always been a team. Theirs is a great story that had its start over a cup of coffee. They began their careers at the James O. Brown Company in upstate PA; Gary in 1978, Jan in 1976. When their mentor, Paul G. Nester decided to go out on his own, “the boys” went with Paul and his son Paul Jr. to form Paul G. Nester & Company.
Paul Sr. passed away in 2000, and Gary and Jan took an opportunity to create MidAtlantic Impact for the branded products they represented but kept the Nester & Son Company so they could continue to represent their private label clients. In 2009, they sold MidAtlantic Impact to JOH but again kept Nester & Son Company for themselves under an agreement with JOH. Jan left JOH in 2013 to return to manage and reinvigorate Nester. Gary retired from JOH in 2016 and re-joined Jan until the middle of 2020 when the pandemic and other factors led them to retire from the industry and facilitate the remaining Nester clients to the Impact/Berg Company’s office in Wayne, PA.
I have known Gary and Jan for more than 40 years. They represented my family’s company in Central and Upstate Pennsylvania with integrity and pride for many of those years. I enjoyed every minute I worked with them and only wish them well in their retirement. Happy trails, boys!
The circle of life has taken two retail category manager veterans this holiday season. Pete Marino and Pat Ferguson both passed during the Christmas holidays. I called on them both during my time in the CPG end of the business.
Pete Marino, a forty plus year Genuardi Markets veteran was welcomed into heaven on December 24. He was 77 years young. He was a gentle man with an easy smile, but a tough negotiator when he had to be. A Norristown native just like the Genuardi Family, Pete was a graduate of St. Joseph’s University. His tenure at Genuardi’s Markets began soon after and he worked his way up to the position of Senior Vice President of Frozen Foods and Dairy. Most recently he worked with his best friend, Ed Rogers as a broker in the Philadelphia area. He was married to the love of his life, Martha (nee Phillips) for 56 years. Pete had a larger-than-life personality and loved spending time with his family. In his free time, he loved to golf, travel with his wife, attended Super Bowl games, and spend time with friends. In addition to his wife, Pete is survived by his children: Lisa A. Tyson (Lance), Peter J. Marino, Jr. (Ellen), Dana Dixon (Derek), 11 grandchildren and one great grandchild; brother, Joseph Marino (Brenda), and many nieces, nephews, and friends. Pete left such a loving impression on the hearts of all he met. He will be deeply missed by all who treasured him. Donations in Pete’s memory can be made to Breast Cancer Awareness at https://breastcancernow.org/get-involved/breast-cancer-awareness-month.
Pat Ferguson was an integral part of Redner’s, working for “The Chief” from when he had only a few stores. He was fun to call on (with Gary and Jan from Nester & Co., of course). I always enjoyed seeing him at the Redner’s golf outing over the last 10 years. To both of them, life-long food industry members, rest in peace. You will be missed.
In addition, the Philly food scene lost another lifetime career member, Mike Brennan. Mike passed on New Year’s Eve from complications of the COVID-19 virus. He was 65 years old. A graduate of LaSalle University, Mike began his food industry career at Oscar Mayer. After stints at ShopRite and Fleming Foods, Mike landed at Dietz & Watson for close to 20 years in various positions. Post Dietz & Watson, he worked at Tasty Baking and Acosta before going with Hormel where he was employed when he passed. He was a Eucharistic Minister at the Church of St. Veronica, Howell, NJ and was a Fourth Degree Knight of Columbus Council #6201. Mike loved bass fishing and volunteering his time to those in need. His greatest joy was spending quality time with his family and being a devoted husband, father, and brother. Mike is survived by his beloved wife of 29 years Catherine Brennan who works for JOH in the Metro NY division; son Michael Brennan Jr.; siblings Joseph (Maureen) Brennan, Kathleen (Dr. John) Waldron, John (Teresa) Brennan, and Rosemary (John) McGonigle; many loving nieces and nephews; and mother-in-law Catherine DePaulo. Donations in his memory can be made to the Church of St. Veronica, 4215 U.S. 9, Howell Township, NJ 07731. Rest in peace, Mike.
Celebrating another trip around the sun this month are: Linda Doherty, NJFC; Eve Gigis, Acme Markets; Gary Larkin, retired, Paul G. Nester Co.; David Patragnoni, The Lamb Company; George Latella, Saint Joseph’s University; Loree D. Jones, Philabundance; Tim Musgrove, Herr Foods; Karen Fernandez, Food World/Food Trade News; and our FTN alumni Meg Major, Bob Ingram and Scott Lichterman. Buon compleanno a tutti!
Quote of the month: “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is ‘what are you doing for others?’” Martin Luther King Jr.
Maria can be reached at [email protected]
