Once again Punxatawney Phil saw his shadow on Groundhog Day indicating six more weeks of winter; but I’m not so sure he got it right. So far this month, we’ve been going from winter to spring every week! For the most part this part of the country has been spared a harsh winter. There’s only a month until spring arrives with signs of hope and renewal and fingers crossed that we will soon be able to put the pandemic behind us and gather at the many events we all enjoy attending.
The beginning of 2022 has brought busy times to the New Jersey Food Council (NJFC). On February 4, they inducted a new chairman of the board, new officers and members of the board of directors at Forsgate Country Club (photos on pages 8 and 9 of this issue). In January of 2020, Joe Sofia accepted the role as the 20th chairman of the statewide trade organization. Sofia, SVP/division manager for New Jersey and Metro New York of Wegmans Food Markets, was prepared to accept a challenge. But he had no idea what was about to unfold, as the pandemic underscored, yet again, the food industry’s critical importance in New Jersey.
“There was no shortage of pressing issues and industry crisis to which the NJFC didn’t rise to the occasion,” Sofia said. “From offering a hybrid calendar of events, to supporting employment legislation that provides much needed relief to members and engaging in important committee work to set our focus and policies, NJFC and our members have never ceased to amaze me in their vision and perseverance.”
NJFC members lauded Sofia’s leadership for ensuring the NJFC weathered the storm of COVID-19, maintaining strong membership levels, revenue and sponsorships. Specific achievements under Sofia’s careful stewardship include: the roll-out of the BagUpNJ campaign (a partnership with the New Jersey Clean Communities Council to educate residents about the May 4, 2022 ban on paper and plastic shopping bags); tackled and managed vaccine and booster distribution, provided guidance on ever-changing COVID restrictions; supported several youth employment laws; grew its scholarship fund; and received a $150,000 state grant to fund a Food Council Food Safety Training program.
Sofia has handed the gavel to Andrew Kent, EVP of Glass Gardens ShopRites, who becomes the 21st NJFC chairman. Kent is a graduate of NJFC’s first Leadership Development Class in 2014. Recently, he was named by the NJBiz business publication as a next generation business leader in New Jersey.
“It is my intention to follow the path Joe has built and continue to instill the values and principles that have endured from the past 20 chairs before me over the course of the last 53 years,” Kent said.
“Joe is a thoughtful, genuine, and determined leader of the food council and he has served as a remarkable ambassador,” added Linda Doherty, NJFC president and CEO. “It is evident in all the pressing issues we have tackled over the last two years during this unscripted global pandemic. Joe united our board during our toughest days, and we are grateful for his steadfast leadership and heartfelt passion for our business, our associates and the communities we serve. Personally, having worked side by side with Joe for the last two years, I am grateful for his insight, calm demeanor, curiosity to understand the policy, emotional intellect and his ability to rally our Board through uncharted times.”
In addition to Kent and Doherty, the 2022 slate of officers sworn in by NJ Assemblyman Dan Benson (D-14) included vice chair Suzanne DelVecchio of QuickChek, secretary Mike Styer of Albertsons Cos., treasurer Mike Rothwell of Pennington Quality Market, and associate vice chair Mike Biase of Mission Foods.
Along with a new slate of directors, the NJFC announced it is accepting applications from eligible college students for the 2022 NJFC Scholarship Program. This year, NJFC will be offering 28 scholarships totaling $92,500. The scholarship amount has increased this year by $20,500 due to the addition of four Glass Gardens ShopRite scholarships of $2,500 each, the Ben and Abe Glass Memorial Scholarships of $5,000 each, and an increase of $500 to the QuickChek Corporation Scholarship.
“A goal of the New Jersey Food Council is to provide scholarships to students, employees and families of NJFC member companies and staff. This program will provide member benefit investment in the future of the food industry and families of NJFC,” said Doherty.
Each scholarship has different requirements, so it is best to review all before making a choice. All applications are due no later than April 18, 2022. Applications for the scholarships must be made online at ww.njfoodcouncil.com. Selection committees evaluate applications based on applicant’s grades, written essay, letter of recommendation and financial need. In 2021, 21 students received a total of $62,000 through the program. Since its inception 11 years ago, 149 students received scholarships totaling $453,500 and this year that number will increase to 177 students for a total of $546,000.
Next up for the NJFC is the Trade Relations Conference on March 30, at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City. The topic of this event is “Better for You,” a conversation about health and wellness in a post-COVID world. Keynote speaker will be Stew Leonard Jr. of Stew Leonard’s and the Jimmy Ostling Trade Relations award will be given to Gary Rosenthal of JOH. The Trade Relations golf outing will be held the next day. For information and to register, go to www.njfoofcouncil.com.
Shout out to Larry Walker at Balford Foods on the addition of CEO to his president title. Larry has made the food industry his home for the last 20 years after graduating from Saint Joseph’s University with a BS in food marketing. He joined Balford in 2015 as SVP of sales and was named president in 2018. Congrats, Larry!
The circle of life took another lifetime food industry member, Joseph Muratore, on January 26. He was 89 years old. Born and raised in Philadelphia, Joe served his country in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He was in sales for many years working for Dolly Madison Ice Cream, Farmer’s Choice, Maggio Cheese Company, and finally retiring from Crowley Foods some years after they purchased Maggio’s. Many of you may not remember him, but he was very dear to me and to my family, in fact he became like family. I worked for him at Farmer’s Choice, retail dairy, deli and produce stores we had throughout Philly while I was at St. Joe’s. A few years later, he came to Maggio’s and was our sales manager, helping me form the best retail sales team in the DSD business. A longtime fan of all the Philadelphia sports teams, Joe spent 10 years working with his favorite, the Phillies Baseball Organization, until he retired just a few years ago. Joe was a celebrated youth coach and co-founded the Westbrook Park Boys Club. He was a Third-Degree Member of the former Knights of Columbus De LaSalle Council. A man whose greatest joy was his family, Joe is survived by his loving wife of 66 years, Phyllis (Mimi) A. (Gaeto) Muratore; son Robert L. (Carmel) Muratore, step-brother Carl Spadiccini and many nieces and nephews. Rest in peace, my dear friend.
Taking another trip around the sun this heartfelt month of February: Guy Giordano, Vincent Giordano Company; Ed Symbouras, Specialty Fabricators; Judy Spires, InSpire Inc. Consulting; Bill Schlosky, Utz Snacks; Sandra Sage, Clemens Food Group; Neil Brassell, NEB Consulting, LLC; Emilio Mignucci, DiBruno Brothers; Kevin Gallagher, Food Trade News; and special birthday hugs to my daughter, Rosalie Marfuggi, Atalanta Corporation. Buon compleanno a tutti!
Quote of the month: “It matters not who you love, where you love, why you love, when you love or how you love; it matters only that you love.” John Lennon
Maria can be reached at [email protected]