The frost isn’t quite on the pumpkin and the hay is still out in the fields, but fall has definitely arrived, bringing with it the beautiful colors that make us yearn for comfort foods and apple cider donuts. I hope you all find time to get outdoors and enjoy the fun events this season brings.
Natural Products Expo East held its show in Philadelphia for the first time September 23-25 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. The show was canceled last year due to COVID, so there was much anticipation for this show to be in person. Unfortunately, many exhibitors pulled out at the last minute and the show was a shell of what could have been an excellent exhibition. But let’s talk about the good parts. The convention center is on one floor and exhibit space was plentiful with many places to sit and recharge, and the show organizers did a good job making sure all the COVID protocols were in place. The only real downfall, other than empty booths, was the badge situation in which all attendees had the option of not wearing a physical badge. Those of us who attend various trade shows know that we want and need to know with whom we are speaking so we can form our conversations accordingly, and the “no badge” option left many exhibitors without that knowledge. In the post-show survey many questions revolved around the badge issue. The 2022 Expo East is scheduled for September 29-October 1 in Philly. Hopefully, the pandemic will be behind us and we will be able to enjoy more of what organic and natural companies have to offer.
In mid-September, the Fund for the School District of Philadelphia and Bimbo Bakeries USA announced an update on Bimbo Bakeries USA’s $75,000 commitment to help the School District of Philadelphia (SDP) advance its Culinary and Baking and Pastry Arts Programs. Through this funding, the SDP has awarded scholarships to 10 students pursuing culinary and baking careers, provided a four-week summer culinary job training program and provided enhancements to the career and technical education learning environments. The students who received college scholarships totaling $40,000 from Bimbo were selected after completing an application and interview process. Bimbo also partnered with the SDP to sponsor a program hosted by the Careers through Culinary Arts Program (C-CAP). This partnership trained 10 culinary students through hands-on work with leading chefs throughout Philadelphia, including Chopped champion Chef Clara Park, James Beard semi-finalist Ange Branca (Kampar Kitchen), James Beard semi-finalist Tova du Plessis (Essen Bakery), and Pastry Chef Monica Glass. Students also participated in mock job interviews, workshops and a mini resume-building workshop.
The SDP’s Culinary Arts program is designed to prepare students to pursue post-secondary education and/or careers in culinary or the hospitality field. Students receive both instructional and specialized learning experiences that prepare them for jobs in institutional, commercial or self-owned food establishments, and other food industry occupations. Bimbo Bakeries USA will continue supporting the district for the 2021-2022 school year, providing students with resume and interview prep, as well as field trips to its offices and facilities for additional exposure to the industry.
The International Dairy Deli Bakery Association (IDDBA) has launched Integrated Fresh Data, powered by IRI’s unify platform. This new partnership is meant to provide the value-added benefit to IDDBA members of complimentary access to IRI data. IDDBA represents member companies of all sizes, some with more challenged market research budgets, which is why they want to give members access to the latest market data and analysis tools that are often otherwise accessible only to those with larger budgets. “This comprehensive data stack is game changing for our members,” said Angela Bozo, IDDBA’s education director. The partnership with IRI provides data on dairy, deli and bakery sales, including department, aisle and category performance across multiple time periods, measures and product selection. Data is updated every 30 days and gives all IDDBA members free market data and analysis tools that would be prohibitively expensive for many members to purchase individually. IDDBA Integrated Fresh is available through the IDDBA member portal on iddba.org. For more information go to [email protected].
Congrats to this year’s winners of the National Frozen and Refrigerated Foods Association’s (NFRA) Golden Penguin Awards, which in our market include, for a variety of awards: JOH, Albertsons Mid-Atlantic, Acme Markets, Kings Food Markets, B&G Foods Inc., Green Giant, Mrs. T’s Pierogies, Integrity/ESM Mid-Atlantic, Weis Markets, Douglas Sales, ShopRite and HP Hood. Good job, all!
A tip of the hat to Philabundance CEO Loree D. Jones on her Global Philadelphia Association award for Community Leadership (GLOBY), the leading distinguished occasion where outstanding individual accomplishments with international implications are recognized in numerous categories of which community service is one. Loree came to Philabundance in the middle of the pandemic and has worked nonstop to eradicate hunger in the Delaware Valley.
The National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS) recently announced members of its legislative committee, welcoming Alex Baloga, president and CEO of the Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association, to serve for the new term. “It’s an honor to be asked to serve on committee for an organization that holds such a high reputation,” Baloga said. “The PA Food Merchants Association represents hundreds of conveniences stores in the state and values the support NACS provides to our members.”
Wedding bells rang out for some industry friends this month. Alex Brown, son of Sandy and Jeff Brown of Brown’s ShopRites, and Rebecca Peress were married on October 9 at the Waterworks in Philadelphia. Also tying the knot were Gabrielle Procacci, daughter of J.M. and Jennifer Procacci, Procacci Brothers Produce, and William Sumfest, who celebrated their marriage on October 2 at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Love, good health and happiness to the newlyweds.
The circle of life continues as we send condolences to the family of Diane M. Buchanan, nee Grzyminski, wife of retired food industry veteran Doug Buchanan, who passed away surrounded by her family on September 16 after a six-year battle with cancer. Diane was 65 years young. Born in Philadelphia, she was the daughter of the late Maryon Grzyminski and Cathryn “Kay” Archinal. She graduated in 1973 from Archbishop Ryan High School. Diane owned and operated “The Wizard of Ice” ice-cream shop in Feasterville, PA for more than 20 years. She also worked at Acme Markets many years ago. Diane enjoyed spending time at the family beach house in Ocean City, NJ where she also volunteered at St. Damien Thrift Shop. She was a wonderful Mimi to her five grandchildren and loved making memories with them. She is survived by her husband of 46 years; sons Douglas Jr. (Karyn) and Nicholas (Laura); grandchildren Sarah, Luke, Quinn, Logan and Elliot; and many friends and family members. The family requests that donations in Diane’s name be made to the following organizations: Fox Chase Cancer Center, 333 Cottman Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19111 – www.foxchase.org; BCan, Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network – www.bcan.org; or St. Teresa of Calcutta Roman Catholic Church, 256 Swamp Pike, Schwenksville PA 19473. Rest in peace, my friend.
Celebrating another trip around the sun this month are: Chad Vilotti, Liscio’s Bakery; Frank Nardi, retired from Wakefern; Ray Nemeth, Snyder’s/Lance; Justine Giordano, Vincent Giordano Corp.; and Nina Weiland, FTN alumna. Buon compleanno a tutti!
Quote of the month: “The trees are about to show us how lovely it is to let things go.” Unknown
Maria can be reached at [email protected] or 443.631.0172