Greetings to all and I hope the start of the autumn season has been good for everyone. There have been more trade functions starting to kick in again and more on the agenda over the next several weeks. I certainly hope to see you out at the various events and please feel free to come up and say hello if you see me.
Krasdale Foods recently held a spectacular Gala to celebrate their 113th Anniversary. The event was held at the breathtaking Gotham Hall in midtown Manhattan and the Gatsby themed evening had all of the attendees decked out in their finest duds. Check out the photos of page 23 this issue of Food Trade News. A big shout out to Bridget Maloney of Krasdale Foods who was instrumental in ensuring it all came together. Speaking of Krasdale, a tip of the hat to the big wholesaler for its Comida Para La Comunidad initiative (Food for the Community). At the C-Town market in Washington Heights, NY and at a Brooklyn-based Bravo supermarket, Krasdale Foods helped hand out more than 2,500 reusable grocery bags stuffed with more than $25 of groceries and goodies. The initiative helps to provide hunger relief to New York City families in need and continues Krasdale’s 113 history of giving back to the local communities they serve. Well done!
Congratulations to Stan Barrasso, SVP Northeast operations lead, and his team at Acosta Sales & Marketing as they held the firm’s inaugural Acosta/MDA Charity Golf outing at the Glen Ridge Country Club in Glen Ridge, NJ. With Dean Nesto, Acosta, coordinating and leading the way, the spectacular day brought together customers from around the Metro New York/New Jersey market as well as vendors for a fun-filled day of golf, dinner and networking. Several thousand dollars was raised for MDA and by all accounts the outing was a huge success. I’m told that everyone is eagerly looking forward to the second annual event.
Kudos to Linda Doherty and the team at the New Jersey Food Council (NJFC) on navigating another event that had to go virtual. While usually held at the Forsgate C.C. in Jamesburg, NJ, this year’s Food Council Committee for Good Government’s (FCCfGG) 47th annual good government presentation featured Democrat Governor Phil Murphy and Republican gubernatorial candidate Jack Ciattarelli. Participants were updated about the statewide roll-out of the “Bag Up NJ” campaign, developed by NJFC and the New Jersey Clean Communities Council (NJCCC). The new state law that takes effect next May will ban plastic and paper shopping bags and encourage consumers to use their own reusable bags. The day also saluted four honorees in business and government who are making an impact in the state’s food industry. Amanda De Palma, Saker ShopRite, received the “Good Government Award,” the highest honor received by food industry members who actively participate in advocacy efforts for policies that help New Jersey’s food industry thrive. Melanie Willoughby, New Jersey Business Action Center, earned the Thomas W. Kelly Government Service Award for her work with state and local levels of government as an advocate for businesses of all sizes.
State Senator Kristin Corrado (R-40th Dist.), who was named the “Outstanding Legislator Award.” Serving as the Republican Conference Leader in the State Senate, Corrado is a small business owner and a partner in the law firm of Corrado & Corrado with her father, Robert E. Corrado. She represented the Borough of Totowa as municipal attorney for 10 years before serving as Passaic County Clerk for seven years. “It is vital for our industry to work with lawmakers who are willing to consider our views to support a strong state economy and create job growth,” said Andrew Kent of Glass Gardens ShopRite and NJFC vice chair. “Senator Corrado has remained open minded on many issues affecting the food industry and business community and is a thoughtful and knowledgeable legislator who is focused on serving the people of New Jersey. Putting people before politics is one of the many reasons we are proud to present this award to the senator.”
Assemblyman John McKeon (D-27th Dist.)  received the “Outstanding Legislator Award”for being one of the state’s leading legislative advocates for protecting New Jersey’s environment while balancing the needs of the food industry. McKeon has been a leader in the Bag Up NJ movement and a key lawmaker who was instrumental in the passage of the bag ban law. “We are grateful for Assemblyman McKeon and his eloquent representation of the Food Council’s position on the floor of the New Jersey General Assembly when the Plastic Bag Ban bill was debated,” Kent said. “His persistent and articulate perspective helped push the deciding favorable vote. And today, his action will propel New Jersey with the strongest plastic and paper bag ban in the country.”
And speaking of the NJFC, Mary Ellen Peppard, VP-Government Relations, was a featured guest on the New Jersey Food Processors Association (NJFPA) Food Forum’s season 2 episode 1 podcast. The NJFPA kicked off its second season of podcasts with Mary Ellen who touched on NJFC’s efforts around workforce development, policymaking, connections within the Departments of Labor and Human Services, and more, as well as her role in translating the effects and challenges of different policies to lawmakers. Upcoming packaging use laws going into effect soon, balancing all the players, exceptions, and details of the industry. News on the “Bag Up New Jersey” public education campaign and tips to build relationships with your community and legislators before an issue arises. To listen to the podcast and hear Mary Ellen’s insight go to www.njfoodprocessors.libsyn.com/website.
Mike Waldon of Empire Food Marketing sits on the board of a wonderful charitable foundation, Embrace Kids, which helps families with children who have cancer, sickle cell disease or other blood disorders. The foundation is committed to enhancing the quality of life of the children and to relieving families of emotional and financial pressures. Embrace Kids supports families throughout the greater New Jersey/New York area and offers such programs as the Embrace Kids Learning Center, emergency financial assistance, family services, inspirational events, social services and counseling, The Edith and Martin Stein Building of Hope and the David E. Zullo PACCT Program. At the organization’s 30th anniversary gala being held on October 28, Joe Sheridan, president and COO of Wakefern Food Corp,. (and a former board member of the foundaiton) and his wife Joan will be honored with a lifetime achievement award. The event will be held at the Pines Manor in Edison, NJ and if you would like to support Embrace Kids you can contact Mike Waldon or Joe Sheridan or go to www.embracekids.org. Great Job all!
Heard about a couple of industry veterans who are hanging up their food lanyards. Erwin Koening who most recently was with Fairway and had a stint at Rite Aid, was really known for his 25 years at Pathmark as an SVP, is calling it a career. As Erwin posted on his Linkedin page, “I have ‘officially’ RETIRED! I want to say a special THANK YOU to all my friends and colleagues that I have had the chance to work with and meet during my career in the Supermarket and Drug Store Industries. You have made it a great run. THANK YOU. Now it is time to make every day… MY DAY!” Well stated, Erwin, and enjoy the retirement. Also, Ron “Campo” Camporeale of Acosta is closing the curtain on his food industry career. After nearly 40 years in the CPG and brokerage side of the business, with a little bit of teaching at St. Peter’s College, Ron will dedicate a little more time to family, friends and loved ones and is eagerly looking forward to it! Best wishes, Ron!
And congratulations to old friend Ray Aguila, who has joined La Flor Spices as an area coordinator.
Ray will be working with the Latorre family in drumming up business opportunities for the Long Island-based spice company. Ray brings a wealth of business knowledge and expertise to La Flor from his years of running his own company, Puerto Rico USA and building Latino brands for over four decades. Good luck, Ray!
Well, that will do it for this month. I do hope you all remain well and stay safe, and I look forward to seeing and meeting you in-person at one of the upcoming trade events. As always you can reach me at 201.250.2217 or [email protected].
