During the summer, a local retailer told me that finding a smaller-sized turkey for this year’s Thanksgiving meal would be difficult. True to form, he wasn’t wrong. In fact, many Thanksgiving recipe ingredients are selling out earlier than usual, leaving last minute shoppers with empty carts. According to a survey by LendingTree, Thanksgiving is making an almost post-COVID comeback with a record number of Americans (47 percent) planning to host dinner in their homes. That’s good news; extended families can finally break bread in person. While those hosting are increasingly taking on debt to host Thanksgiving (44 percent plan to take on debt this year, compared to 27 percent in 2019), they are throwing food budgets out the window, probably due to uncertainties around supply chain shortages and despite consumer prices jumping more than 6 percent in October. Either way, it’s time we all relax and enjoy the camaraderie and festivities that have already begun.
On November 12, after a rousing version of the Star-Spangled Banner sung by an associate of The Giant Company (TGC), the ribbon was cut at a new Giant store in Philadelphia, this time in the Greater Northeast. Located at the busy intersection of Cottman and Bustleton Avenues, the 67,000 square foot store employs approximately 150 full and part-time team members. Sabita Singh, a grocery veteran with nearly 25 years of experience with her last stint at the TGC store in Stroudsburg, PA, has been appointed store manager of the newest Giant. “This store deepens The Giant Company’s commitment to serving today’s busy families within the City of Philadelphia, saving them money and time for what matters most,” said Singh. “From our farm fresh produce to the global flavors across the store, there’s something for every table. No matter how customers choose to shop with us, in-store or online, we’re simplifying the grocery experience so they can then spend more time connecting with family over a meal.” The new Cottman store features the reatailer’s signature fresh departments, with expanded product variety and new offerings. Outside vendors Saladworks and Hissho Sushi bring their expertise to TGC as part of the fresh food to go offerings. The store also includes Giant Direct and the Beer & Wine Eatery, the latter of which will be open seven days a week. The new and most interesting area TGC has come up with of late is the new section called Global Flavors. With new and expanded brands to serve customers seeking Kosher, Halal and other ethnic foods throughout all departments of the store, Global Flavors has taken the old international foods department and given it the WOW factor. It’s worth a trip just to see how it’s merchandised.
Before the end of the year, TGC plans to open three new stores: Columbus Boulevard in South Philly opening on December 3; an Heirloom Market in the Fashion District of Center City Philly opening on December 16; and a ground-up replacement store in Doylestown opening on December 10. Can’t wait to see what’s new from the TGC team at these locations.
No one should be left uncertain as to where and when they will be getting their next meal. Ever. With the knowledge that 700,000 people, many of them children, face hunger in the Greater Philadelphia area, the Mid-Atlantic Food Trade Organization (MAFTO) has again partnered with Philabundance and Small Things to serve the Delaware Valley region in the fight to end hunger. Last year, companies generously helped MAFTO’s Community Care Package program deliver 1,700 care packages to food bank volunteers and health care givers while donating $80,000 to Philabundance and other food charities. The 2021 MAFTO Community Care Package is once again being supported by a variety of national, regional and local food brands. These packages can be given as thank you gifts, corporate gifts or simply given to food pantries as a donation. In addition, for 2021, companies that order 100 or more care packages with a donation of $10,000 or more will be featured in 100 Mid-Atlantic regional billboards, courtesy of OutFront Media. That is a million or more of impressions and recognition from MAFTO, Philabundance, and Small Things for that support. The demand for food among the uncertain has grown by almost 200 percent since the onset of the pandemic. In response, MAFTO needs the help of the food industry to double its donation in 2021. With that commitment, MAFTO can continue to step up with funding to support the skyrocketing, month-to-month demand for food distribution services. Please keep in mind that for every dollar donated, Philabundance can distribute two meals to a person in need. To support this important effort, please contact Andy Marfopolous at [email protected] or go to mafto.org/fundraisers for more details. Speaking of Philabundance, their kickoff of the holiday giving season began with radio station 93.3 WMMR’s 24th annual Preston & Steve’s Camp Out for Hunger November 1-5 at the Wells Fargo Center in the stadium complex in South Philadelphia. The five-day period yielded Philabundance 2.3 million pounds of food and mor than $1 million to-date with more on the way. Congratulations!
Celebrating another trip around the sun this November are: Jim Mullen, Stop & Shop; John Saidnawey, JOH; Mike Mackin, Schmidt Baking; Joseph Talluto, Talluto’s Authentic Italian Foods; Monica Spaulding, JOH; Anthony Maglio Jr., Maglio Sausage; Bernie Ellis, retired retail industry veteran; and me, celebrating 39 again. Buon compleanno a tutti!
As you gather with family and friends to celebrate this most American (and still not back to normal) holiday, please remember to give to those who are food insecure and keep our troops at home and abroad in your prayers as they continue to sacrifice every day for our way of life. Happy Thanksgiving.
Quote of the month: “Life is good when you are happy; but much better when others are happy because of you.” Pope Francis
