The Philadelphia sports scene was a little more active than expected this fall, with the Phillies making it to the World Series, losing in 6 to the cheatin’ Houston Astros, and the Philadelphia Union soccer team getting all the way to the finals only to lose the MLS Cup to the LAFC. Even the Eagles are having a fabulous season with only one loss so far. Is a Super Bowl appearance in the forecast? Let’s hope so, but first we have to get past the passionate fans booing Santa Claus if we lose any more games. Hohoho!
Part of the fun of playoffs is the spirit of friendly competition outside of the ballpark. As the Phillies took on the Padres to secure the National League Championship, Philabundance went up to bat against Feeding San Diego to Strike Out Hunger! Philabundance challenged Feeding San Diego to see who could raise the most funds in support of their respective communities. Philabundance followed in the footsteps of the Phillies to victory bringing in almost $17,000 while Feeding San Diego raised just over $7,700. They repeated the friendly competition with Houston Food Bank during the World Series. “In Philadelphia, we know what it is like to be an underdog,” said Loree D. Jones Brown, Philabundance CEO. “When it’s not expected for us to win, our teams do.” We all know the unfortunate outcome of that series, so Loree had to wear the gear of the Houston Food Bank for a day. Did you see Mayor Kenney participate? Me either. During this unexpected post season, Wawa was so inspired by the on-field actions of the Phillies’ Kyle Schwarber, they brought out deals usually offered only during their annual Hoagiefest and named it Schwarberfest! Going one step further, Wawa donated $25,000 to Philabundance in honor of this promotion and then tacked on an additional $25,000 donation to continue Schwarberfest through the World Series! All’s well that ends well and the real winners were the underserved in our city and surrounding area.
The holiday season stretching from November 1 to Christmas is the time of year when giving becomes the focus of nearly everyone. Preston & Steve’s Camp Out For Hunger returned for its 25th consecutive year at Xfinity Live!, inside the Wells Fargo Center Complex in Philly from November 7-11. But first on Sunday, November 6, the Porsche Club of America hosted the fourth annual Phil-a-Trunk food drive and car show in the parking lots near the Wells Fargo Center. For this literal food drive, car club members filled their trunks with non-perishable food to benefit Philabundance. This year, more than 140,000 pounds of food was donated in one day! That’s a lot of trunks! Overall, Camp Out for Hunger raised more than $1 million and 2.75 million pounds of food. The Camp Out for Hunger Games generated an additional 10,000 pounds of food from Bimbo Bakeries USA on top of the 6,000 pounds of products they donated throughout the week. More than 550,000 people in our region face food insecurity, meaning they do not have enough food for an active and healthy life. What are you doing this holiday season to help “beet hunger”?
Redner’s Markets has announced a donation to Project HOPE via a recent in-store, round-up campaign. During July and August, Redner’s Markets and Quick Shoppes engaged in a round-up, fundraising effort to raise funds for the humanitarian relief efforts in Ukraine conducted by Project HOPE. From the outset of the program, Redner’s pledged to match funding up to $25,000 dollars of that collected within stores. Through the outpouring of support from its guests, Redner’s, was able to issue $65,000 to Project HOPE. “We (along with the rest of the world) were aware of the massive humanitarian relief efforts needed in Ukraine and through a partnership with the National Grocer’s Association (NGA) we were able to connect with Project HOPE. While the world is aware of the conflict in Ukraine, the most heartbreaking is the need for basic medical and sanitary needs for women and children. Project HOPE and their efforts provides the peace of mind that this donation is providing direct relief to these vulnerable populations,” said Redner’s COO Gary M. Redner. Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February of 2022, Project HOPE launched a highly coordinated, comprehensive humanitarian intervention. Since then, Project HOPE has been working in Ukraine and the neighboring countries of Moldova, Poland and Romania to support health facilities, provide essential medical equipment, pharmaceuticals, and supplies; and to meet the needs of Ukrainian refugees, including primary health, mental health and psychosocial support, and protection.
It seems that we’ve now made it through a full year of in-person conferences and shows without cancelations. The International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) held its first annual Global Produce and Floral Show in Orlando at the end of October, and it didn’t disappoint. With just over one buyer for every three attendees, the show offered the opportunity to make connections and create new partnerships. There were attendees from approximately 40 countries, with a record breaking 217 first-time exhibitors sharing their products with the industry.
IFPA CEO Cathy Burns gave an impassioned state of the industry update, reminding the produce professionals in attendance that the group was back together with purpose and “the time is now for produce.” She urged guests to capitalize on the moment and momentum around fresh produce and floral as products that give rise to life to consumers the world over. “What we do is not for the faint at heart and it’s not only for our prosperity,” Burns said. “What we do is produce products that impact the health and well-being of every human on the planet. I’ve never felt more certain that time and purpose are linked to creating and leading what happens next for our industry.” This was the inaugural State of the Industry session at IFPA. One of the key takeaways that will have a lasting impact on humanity is food as medicine. “We cannot medicate our way out of diseases,” Burns said. “Health is not found in pharm, rather on the farm as plant-based diets continue to grow.” From medically-tailored meals to precision nutrition to produce prescriptions, fresh fruits and vegetables are poised to lead meaningful changes in global consumer health. “We have all seen the statistic: only 1 in 10 Americans consumes the recommended number of fruits and vegetables a day. Meanwhile, we are spending a trillion dollars of our national debt each year treating diet-driven diseases – diseases that can be addressed by changing what’s at the end of your fork,” she noted. “More American adults are walking around metabolically sick than healthy, and it’s even worse among teenagers. This must change. We have an opportunity and an obligation,” Burns said. “As an organization, it is our duty to champion the data, insights, and messages that create lasting change in consumption so that the world knows fresh produce truly is the secret to vitality and vibrancy. IFPA is not in this to simply change the game. We are in this to change the world. And together with you – our members – we will. Because our time is now, right now. We cannot miss this moment.” The emotion was palpable, and the attendees were left newly invigorated by Burns’ call to action to go out and make a difference; make the world a better place through produce. Congratulations on a job well done, IFPA!
Industry leaders and key government insiders shared their insight on everything from holiday trends to inflation challenges to the potential impact of upcoming elections with members of the Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association (PFMA) last month in Hershey, PA. The two-day fall legislative conference delivered panels and discussions focused on a range of opportunities and challenges food retailers can anticipate in 2023. “It’s always a pleasure to connect with our members and hear from industry experts on trends and challenges facing the industry,” said Alex Baloga, president and CEO of PFMA. “This is a particularly special year for PFMA as we celebrate 70 years as an association. We are able to accomplish what we do because we have an incredibly supportive and active membership. The conference provides an opportunity to prepare for future challenges we’ll face together as an industry. During dinner, PA State Representative Sheryl Delozier also recognized PFMA’s 70 years serving and supporting the food retail industry by presenting the association with an anniversary citation. The PFMA annual meeting will be held on May 9-10, 2023 at the Marriott, Lancaster, PA.
It’s official, Jeff Brown is running for mayor of Philadelphia. He announced his candidacy on November 16 in West Philadelphia with his family and many loyal supporters in attendance. He pledged to be the problem solver Philadelphia needs. Sandy Brown introduced her husband noting that “things in Philadelphia are getting worse and Jeff Brown has a plan to tackle violence, homelessness and education, focusing on transformational ideas that will transform the trajectory of the City of Philadelphia. Jeff Brown is not just the right choice for mayor of the City of Philadelphia, he is the only choice.” Good luck, Jeff! If anyone can foster change in our city, it’s you!
A tip of the hat to the members of the Mid-Atlantic Food Trade Organization (MAFTO) as they feted the Advantage Marketing Group at Resorts Casino and Hotel in Atlantic City on November 4-6. Back in person for the first time in three years, a crowd of more than 250 industry well-wishers partied the weekend away with honorees Jim McCaffrey III and Jim McCaffrey IV of McCaffrey’s Markets, Ron Murphy of Murphy’s Markets, Rob Henning of Henning’s Supermarket and Bryan Graul of Graul’s Markets. John Brennan, JJ Brennan Company and president of MAFTO, and his committee did an outstanding job making sure the weekend came off without a hitch. Congratulations!
A shout-out to George Knobloch of Key Food on his being the next chairman of the board of the Saint Joseph’s University Academy of Food Marketing. The announcement was made at the second annual Future Food Industry Leaders networking reception on November 2. This newly-created event’s goal is to mentor and provide valuable connections for the food marketing students at the university. Students, retailers, brokers, distributors and CPGs had the opportunity to meet and discuss employment opportunities in a relaxed setting. More than 50 students attended, resumes in hand for on-the-spot interviews. Kudos to Alison Nolan, Joe Bivona and their staff for putting together a first class event. THWND!
Taking another trip around the sun this month are: Gary Michael Redner, Redner’s Markets; Jim Mullen, Giant Direct; John Saidnawey and Monica Spaulding, JOH; Mike Mackin, Schmidt Baking; Joseph Talluto, Talluto’s Authentic Italian Foods; Anthony Maglio Jr., Maglio Sausage; and me, aging like fine wine. Buon compleanno a tutti!
As I remind you all each year, while celebrating this most American 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: “It is better to give than to receive.” Mario Maggio
Maria can be reached at [email protected] or 443.631.0172