As we begin a resolution free 2023, the Philadelphia Eagles are the number one seed in the NFC Conference playoffs, and Philly’s own Dietz & Watson has come up with a new “dog” to celebrate the team’s playoff run. They are introducing Philadelphia to the Bird Dog, an original hot dog recipe made with either Dietz & Watson Eagles Beef Franks or Jalapeno Cheddar Franks. The Eagles’ Franks are topped with fried onions, diced long hots and provolone, nestled into an Eagles Green roll custom made by Cacia’s Bakery. The Dietz & Watson Jalapeno Cheddar Franks carry enough heat of their own, and cheese, so they are served plain on an Eagles Green roll. A Bird Dogs food truck will be visiting different Philadelphia neighborhoods throughout the Eagles playoff run handing out free Bird Dogs ( go to www.dietzandwatson.com/BirdDogs for locations). They will also be handing out a limited number of Bird Dogs-themed apparel including t-shirts and beanies. The deeper into the playoffs the Eagles go, the more Bird Dogs the company will give out. If they make it to the NFC Championship game, there will be a Bird Dogs rally prior to the game. And if the Eagles make it to the Super Bowl (fingers crossed), Dietz & Watson will sponsor/host a watch party for the big game (details TBD). To top it off, the Phillies pitchers and catchers report for Spring Training on Valentine’s Day…how sweet! As the TSOP artists McFadden & Whitehead sang, “Ain’t no stopping us now…we’re on the move”. Yes, we are!
Even more good things are happening in Philadelphia, despite the horrendous crime rate. In late December, the Independent Grocers Alliance (IGA) announced John Hallinan, owner of The Richmond Shops IGA, as an IGA USA Retailer of the Year. The Retailer of the Year awards are the highest honors IGA bestows upon its retailer members. They are presented annually to grocers who have best provided leadership and excellence in their communities. Hallinan will be formally recognized at the IGA Awards of Excellence Ceremony on February 27 during the NGA convention in Las Vegas. IGA CEO John Ross, senior vice president retail and business development Doug Fritsch, and national retailer advisory board president and 2020 International Retailer of the Year Bob Rybick paid a visit to Hallinan and his team on January 9 to get a firsthand feel for how the retailer interacts with employees, customers, and the community (see photo on page 29 of this issue). Based on information gathered during the store visits, each IGA USA Retailer of the Year will receive additional recognition for their unique accomplishments such as innovations, community service, etc. at the IGA Awards of Excellence Ceremony. The ceremony will recognize fellow IGA Retailers of the Year from other countries in addition to select Red Oval partners and wholesalers. At the ceremony, one of the IGA USA Retailers of the Year will be named IGA USA International Retailer of the Year. The Richmond Shops IGA is a founding member of The Retail Marketing Group (RMG), which provides a complete self-funded ad program including circulars for home delivery and in-store. RMG supports independent retail members with the advertising, promotion and merchandising guidance they need to compete.
This full-service supermarket has outstanding perishable departments, in-store bakery, Best in Philly (Philadelphia Magazine) Bottle Shop, fresh Sushi and Boba Island, a full-service bank, PA Lottery, public transit passes and a bill pay solution for customers. Moreover, they carry a complete line of organic, vegan, natural foods and local products. The Richmond Shops are committed to local vendors, with Lancaster Fresh milk and eggs, Philly-brined pickles, locally-sourced raw honey, handmade pierogis, a neighborhood Urban Winery, and locally produced breads, cheeses and meats. “Getting the word out on all of these unique offerings can be a challenge for the independent,” Hallinan said. “The conventional circular has taken a back seat to a new digital world, and we have worked hard to embrace this. We run our own robust marketing program that includes a loyalty rewards program, digital coupons, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, a weekly email campaign with 10,000 recipients and a weekly commercial that reaches the entire City of Philadelphia through TV and their digital devices.” As the community supports Richmond Shops IGA, Hallinan also enjoys giving back to his community. Through the BLOCS program Richmond Shops can support four local schools in the community. “We invest in multiple neighborhood associations for spring cleanups and green space revitalization. And as an independent we take special care to look after the struggling sports clubs, veteran groups, and those that have been impacted the most in these difficult times,” Hallinan said. “The IGA name carries significant weight in certain parts of the country, and these nine Retailers of the Year have proven that without question. The relationships they have built within their stores and throughout their communities run deep with friendships and some with family legacies,” said IGA CEO John Ross. “John Hallinan and his team have established a reputation of local ownership and commitment to not only shoppers but their respective neighborhoods.” Congratulations to John, general manager Don Petzak and the entire Richmond Shops team on this well-deserved honor!
As you all know, food insecurity in the USA is a huge problem, which includes more than 13 million children. Our area hasn’t fared any better with approximately 17 percent of children going to sleep hungry. As always, our generous retailers have jumped in to help curb this problem. For the third year in a row, The Giant Company (TGC) announced the launch of its Feeding School Kids initiative and its $250,000 commitment to kick off the program. It runs from now through February 28. “Studies have shown the correlation between good nutrition and success in school, which is why we launched our Feeding School Kids program in 2021 to address the issue of childhood hunger throughout our local public school communities,” said Jessica Groves, community impact manager, TGC. Through the Feeding School Kids initiative, school districts have been able to support meal programs and address food insecurity from supplying backpacks with weekend food to clearing outstanding student lunch debt to building on-campus food pantries. For example, Centennial School District (PA) served nearly 22,000 breakfast and lunch meals to families in need throughout the summer months; and Radnor Township School District (PA) purchased kitchen equipment to improve the quality of meals served at its Middle School. Every little bit helps.
In December, Redner’s Markets announced they are providing over 200,000 meals to area food banks in the markets they serve thanks to corporate brands Minute Rice and The Original “Louisiana” Hot Sauce. “We are always looking to partner with our manufacturing partners and give back to our local community in a way that impacts the most people,” said Ryan Redner, president and CEO. “At this time of year, this donation is able to stretch from the holiday and into the months after to help put food on the table of those that need it the most. Being able to share this with food banks throughout our entire footprint (Pennsylvania/Maryland/Delaware) is especially rewarding!” Redner’s employee-owners are committed to their associates and the communities it serves. Fighting hunger is a company-wide cause Redner’s Markets engages in annually to help children, men and women facing hunger in their markets. Redner’s is working closely with Helping Harvest Fresh Food Bank, Central Pennsylvania Food Bank, Second Harvest Food Bank, Maryland Food Bank, Philabundance, Weinberg Food Bank and The Open Link in efforts to help neighbors flourish and strengthen communities. Keep up the good work.
Not to be outdone, Weis Markets announced at the end of 2022 that it donated $1 million to 17 regional food banks and two food pantries in its seven-state market area as part of the company’s 15th annual Fight Hunger program. The donation includes customer contributions made at checkout in Weis stores throughout 2022 and a substantial corporate donation. “We are grateful to our generous customers and dedicated associates for their continued support of the Fight Hunger program,” said Weis Markets senior vice president of merchandising and marketing Bob Gleeson. “As a local grocer, it’s important to Weis Markets to support food banks and pantries in the communities where we operate. These organizations continue to overcome challenging conditions to provide essential services to our neighbors in need.” As part of the campaign, Weis Markets presented significant donations to several of its largest partner food banks.
We are sad to report the death of Frank Tummarello Sr., 73, lovingly known as Killer, Dad, Pop, who unexpectedly passed away on December 28. The formal obituary is on page 16 of this issue. Frank was also my second cousin on the Maggio side. For most of his life, Frank courageously battled many diseases. As a child, he had polio. Later on, he was diagnosed with amyloidosis (which eventually led him to receive a heart transplant in 2016) and cancer. He fought relentlessly beating the odds year after year and was cancer free when I last saw him last September at the Expo East show in Philly. But it returned recently and he was gearing up for another round of treatment. He never gave up in business either, always looking for the next best thing in ice cream, frozen foods and beverages, his specialties. His daughter Lauren joined him about 12 years ago and has since taken over the business with her brother Frank Jr. joining her. Frank’s family sends sincere thanks to all of the doctors and nurses at Temple and Jefferson Hospitals who devotedly cared for Frank throughout the years. Donations in Frank’s memory can be made to the Gift of Life Donor Program at ww.donors1.org/. Rest in peace, dear cousin.
The circle of life continues as we send a big welcome to little Miss Eloise Lydia Canseco, born on January 3 to Lauren Eni Canseco, Dietz & Watson, and her husband Dr. Jose Canseco. Eloise was also welcomed by her grandparents Nina and Louis Eni Jr., big sister Avery, her two big brothers and her fur-sister Honey Ruth the Poodle. Best wishes to the entire family!
Taking another trip around the sun this January are: Linda Doherty, NJFC; Eve Gigis, Acme Markets; Gary Larkin, retired, Paul G. Nester and Co.; David Patragnoni, Silver Fern Farms; George Latella, Saint Joseph’s University; Loree D. Smith, Philabundance; Tim Musgrove, Herr Foods; Food World’s Karen Fernandez; Food Trade News alumni: Meg Major, Bob Ingram and Scott Lichterman. Buon compleanno a tutti!
Quote of the month: “Winter is a season of recovery and preparation.” – Paul Theroux
Maria can be reached at [email protected]