We are officially in the dog days of summer with the third heat wave of 2022 in full swing. There’s not much relief in sight, so stay hydrated (especially when on the golf course) and remember these days when there is a foot of snow on the ground next winter!
As part of its strategic growth plan within the Greater Delaware Valley, much of it in the City of Philadelphia, The Giant Company (TGC) opened two ground-up new stores in the early days of summer. The City of Philadelphia’s newest Giant at North Broad and Spring Garden Streets, just above of Center City, opened June 24. At 50,700 square feet, the new store operates from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., seven days a week, and employs approximately 150 full-and part-time team members. Giant’s signature fresh departments will feature the variety just perfect for the Center City customer. Other convenient offerings include Starbucks, sushi made in-store, a hot foods section with smoked meats, and a Beer & Wine Eatery with slushie options. Customers will also be able to take advantage of an underground parking garage while shopping at the store as parking in the area is at a premium.
The following week, on the site of the old Murray’s Richboro Market at Second Street Pike in Richboro, another new ground-up Giant opened just in time for the Fourth of July celebrations. During the ribbon cutting remarks, TGC president Nicholas Bertram commented that the Richboro store is their 20th in Bucks County. At 49,800 square feet, the store operates from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., seven days a week, and employs 170 full- and part-time team members. Richboro customers will find the addition of a new Beer & Wine eatery offering slushie options, specialty cheese section and an artisan bread case with self-serve loaf slicing. For today’s busy families, the Richboro store features a hot foods bar with smoked meats and sushi made in-store. Both stores will offer Giant Direct at www.giantdirect.com. “As a company, we are committed to helping connect families over a meal by offering convenient, time-saving and fresh meal solutions, whether in-store or online,” said Manuel Haro, divisional VP of Greater Philadelphia for TGC. “Our new North Broad and Richboro stores reinforce that commitment to our customers while also continuing our growth strategy within the City of Philadelphia and the surrounding communities.” These two new stores add to TGC’s significant growth in the Greater Philadelphia area over the past year. To review: in 2021, TGC opened four new stores in Philly with the highlight being its urban flagship store Giant at Riverwalk along the Schuylkill River in Center City. The other new Giant stores are on Cottman Avenue in the Northeast, S. Christopher Columbus Boulevard in South Philly, and a Giant Heirloom Market on 8th and Market Streets in the fashion district of Center City. The company also opened a brand-new store in Doylestown. Finally, to meet the growing demand for online grocery shopping across the city and in southern New Jersey, the company also opened a state-of-the-art Giant Direct E-Commerce Fulfillment Center on Island Avenue in Philadelphia. And they’re not done yet!
During the pandemic, food insecurity levels reached new highs throughout the country. When schools shut down and went to remote learning, many children who received the greater part of their daily food intake at school went to bed hungry. Although school is back in-person, summer remains an especially difficult time for many families. Children who are out of school often miss both the breakfast and lunch that they receive in school. Only 16 percent of the 22 million children who rely on free or reduced lunch are receiving summer meals. That’s unacceptable. So, the good folks at Philabundance brainstormed and came up with a summer meal kit program called “Let’s Eat!” Over an eight-week period, 2,000 meal kits (125,000 meals) are being distributed to the food insecure. Each meal kit features two recipes: one created by a local and acclaimed chef, the other by the team at the Philabundance Community Kitchen. Kits will also include resources for children and families plus nutrition education and cooking tips. “Let’s Eat” is a collaborative effort. To reach as many people as possible, they are partnering with local community-based agencies in Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey for meal kit distribution. Meal kits are distributed twice a week on a first come first serve basis. If any of our readers have an interest in donating food or participating in any of the programs Philabundance promotes, check out the donation guidelines to find out if your product meets the Philabundance food safety standards. They accept donations of produce, meat, dairy, dry goods and other frozen and refrigerated items at their warehouse locations. To donate today, contact [email protected].
Taking a walk into the sunset and hanging up his bags of tortillas is Mike Biase of Mission Foods. Mike went into the food business directly after high school and completed college at William Patterson College while working in New Jersey at Joyce Beverage/RC Cola as an independent operator. In 1985, he moved to Coca Cola NY as a division manager where he remained for six years. Wise Snacks came calling so Mike went with them in chain store sales. In 2005, Mike moved to Mission Foods as division manager of refrigerated products from Delaware to Maine, then set up the DSD network where he grew his team from three to 50 people. That adds up to a 48-year career in the food industry. Mike will be best remembered as a gentleman and all-around good guy; and for his time spent at the New Jersey Food Council (NJFC). He sat on the board of directors for 15 years. During that time, he served as an officer for six years as assistant vice president and was chairman of the trade relations committee and the Night of Distinction committee. Mike plans to spend his retirement enjoying time with his wife Wendy and his grandchildren. Happy Trails, Mike!
A tip of the hat to Jennifer Bertram, wife of TGC president Nicholas Bertram and mother of their four sons, on the publication of her first children’s book titled “Little Lion’s Big Move.” According to the publisher’s website, “Little Lion’s family is making a BIG move. He has a lot of questions about all the changes happening around the house and he has a big imagination. Learn with Little Lion as he goes from scared to excited about their big move.” Jennifer is a pediatric occupational therapist who has had extensive experience helping children deal with their emotions. She has always had a love of writing and reading, and this book is the fruition of a lifelong dream. Congratulations, Jennifer!
Are you having FOMO because you haven’t seen the Food Trade News 2022 Annual Market Study? No worries, the Market Study is available throughout the year online at www.foodtradenews.com or you can contact me at [email protected] and one will be mailed to you.
Celebrating another trip around the sun this patriotic month of July are: Mike Rothwell, Pennington Market; Joe Fantozzi, Allegiance Retail Services; Jim McCaffrey III, McCaffrey’s Markets; Maurice Christino, Cento Foods; Wayne Couts, Advantage Sales and Marketing; Steve Bushinski, Utz; Dr. Joe D’Angelo, SJU; and special birthday wishes to my son Gino Marfuggi. Buon compleanno a tutti!
Quote of the month: “Live in the sunshine, swim in the sea, drink in the wild air.” Ralph Waldo Emerson
Maria can be reached at 443.631.0172
