So, Super Bowl XVII has been played and our beloved Philadelphia Eagles fell prey to the Kansas City Chiefs with some excellent playing and coaching but really bad referee calls. Philly fans, the most passionate and opinionated in the country, let that be known by their rambunctious post-game behavior. Fans still climbed the greased poles, but they also did damage, and we’re better than that. The best team won, and our Eagles had an awesome season all the way to the end. It was a great game, said to be in the top three Super Bowls in history. We have every reason to hold our heads high. Eagles fans will have to wait for next season to support our team on their journey to the Super Bowl LVIII. We have a capable young quarterback, an inspiring coach, a solid brotherhood of a team and the best fans in the USA. We’ll be back!
Inspired by the excitement of the big game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs, Philabundance challenged Harvesters, The Community Food Network to take part in the Huddle to End Hunger Campaign to see who could raise more funds to help feed our communities. Both cities face high rates of hunger. The challenge: Which food bank, Philabundance or Harvesters, could raise more funding for their critical work between Saturday, February 4 and midnight of Sunday February 12, when a Superbowl champion would be announced. “We are so grateful for any and all support of a serious issue: hunger in our communities,” said Loree Jones Brown, Philabundance CEO. “Every donation helps Philabundance meet the growing need for food and nutrition. The real winner here will be the communities we serve.” The food bank that raises the most money to support their area residents living with food insecurity wins the challenge and will send some of their branded gear like hats and t-shirts to the losing food bank that their CEO will have to wear.
“We are pleased to accept this challenge from Philabundance,” said Stephen Davis, Harvesters president and CEO. “Whenever we can raise awareness about hunger and help raise much- needed money to feed our neighbors facing food insecurity, it’s a win for everyone. Chiefs Kingdom is known for their generosity, so I’m hopeful I will not be wearing Eagles green after the Super Bowl!”
As it turns out, Philabundance won the challenge. Thanks to more than 500 generous donors, they raised nearly $116,000 in donations that will allow them to provide even more nutritious meals to the Southeastern Pennsylvania and Southern New Jersey communities they serve. Harvesters collected more than $42,000. Through these efforts, there is much gratitude for the outpouring of support in the City of Brotherly Love! Did Mayor Kenney take part in a challenge with Kansas City’s mayor? Nope. Kenney doesn’t like us; we don’t care.
The New Jersey Food Council (NJFC) began 2023 with their very busy annual meeting held January 31 at the Park Chateau Estate and Gardens in East Brunswick, NJ. New to the NJFC, a theme for 2023 was created during a recent board strategy planning session called “Beyond Essential.”
“The COVID pandemic fully recognized our food industry now as something we have always known: we are a lifeline and cornerstone of the community,” said Linda Doherty, president and CEO of NJFC. The board also welcomed two new board members: Todd Ferrera, Wegmans Food Markets, and Pete Contino, Weis Markets. During the event, NJFC members elected the 2023 officers who will lead the association this year: beginning with his second term as chairman of the board is Andrew Kent of Glass Gardens ShopRite. He was applauded as a thoughtful, genuine and determined leader, navigating NJFC’s promotion of the statewide bag ban. Since the law went into effect on May 4 of last year, NJFC members have saved more than 4.8 billion plastic bags and 96 million paper bags from entering the waste cycle. “I would like to express a heartfelt thank you to all of the members who unselfishly volunteered their time, talent and expertise to help strengthen the New Jersey Food Council over the past year,” Kent said. “I am impressed by the way the board and members united for all we accomplished in 2022. I am optimistic as we have set a strong agenda through our Strategic Plan for 2023.”
Sworn in by former Gov. Donald DiFransesco, the officers are: Andrew Kent, Glass Gardens ShopRite, chairman; Suzanne Delveccio, QuickChek, vice chairwoman; Nicholas Brown, KraftHeinz Company, associate vice chairman; Michael Rothwell, Pennington Quality Market, treasurer; Michael Styer, Acme Markets, secretary; and Linda Doherty, NJ Food Council president and CEO.
The start of the 2023 Education Scholarship Program, with the NJFC offering 30 scholarship awards totaling $97,500 this year is now open with an application deadline of April 17. Announcements were made regarding the two major events of 2023. First up is the NJFC Trade Relations Conference on March 28 and 29 at the Hard Rock Hotel in Atlantic City. Keynote speaker Jim Dorey, president, Inserra ShopRites, will speak to the trade on the topic of “Navigating the Impact of Inflation.” The panel discussion following will include: Bryce Daigle, Instacart; Don Leech, QuickChek; Paul Westra, Capital One; and Donna Zambo, Allegiance Retail Services. During the conference, the Jim Ostling Trade Relations Award for 2023 will be given to Mike Tarloff, VP/general manager, C&S Wholesale Grocers. The curtain closer golf outing will take place the next morning at the Galloway National Golf Club. Following the Trade Relations Conference is the NJFC Night of Distinction on May 17 at The Palace at Somerset, Somerset, NJ. Being feted that evening are Steve Henig, chief customer officer, Wakefern Food Corporation; Jim Perkins, president, Albertsons Mid Atlantic Division; Jason Read, director of store operations, Wawa; and Nicole Davia Wescoe, Northeast region president, Whole Foods Market. These events are sure to be sellouts so register early at www.njfoodcouncli.com.
This year marks the National Frozen & Refrigerated Foods Association (NFRA)’s 40th annual celebration of March Frozen Food Month! Murray Lender, founder of Lender’s Bagels, was instrumental in developing the first promotion in 1984 as an initiative to increase frozen food sales. The promotion is now nationally recognized and continues to promote the benefits and importance of engaging shoppers and encouraging the purchase of frozen foods. NFRA has sponsored March Frozen Food Month since its inception and continues to promote the frozen food aisles to consumers by sharing resources with its members throughout the month, including recipes, point-of-sale materials, social content, helpful tips and more. NFRA also administers the Golden Penguin Awards competition, which honors the best marketing and merchandising in the industry during promotional periods. This national competition is open to organizations of all sizes, including retailers, wholesalers, manufacturers, sales agents, and associations promoting March Frozen Food Month. The Golden Penguin Awards provide an exceptional opportunity for companies from any segment of the industry to be nationally recognized for excellence in merchandising and marketing frozen foods. Judged by a panel of distinguished marketing professionals and based on final entry scores, winners receive a gold or silver award and will be honored for their outstanding work at the NFRA Convention, taking place October 6-10 in San Diego. A segment of the highest scoring winners will be named Top Marketers, which is unveiled during the awards luncheon at the NFRA Convention. This awards competition is an exciting opportunity for companies of any size to be awarded for their hard work in promoting March Frozen Food Month, whether in-store, in the community or through various social/digital marketing and other merchandising programs. Entrants can submit their supporting documentation online starting in March and can enter any category applicable to their business by May 5. Companies can also participate in the competition for NFRA’s other annual promotions including June Dairy Month and Summer Favorites Ice Cream & Novelties. To learn more about the competition and the 2023 conference, please visit www.NFRAweb.org.
Heaven gained another angel this month when legendary DJ, Jerry Blavat, also known as the “Geator with the Heater” and the “Big Boss with the Hot Sauce” passed away after a battle with myasthenia gravis. He was 82 years young. Half Sicilian and half Jewish, Jerry was raised in South Philadelphia and was a 1958 graduate of Bishop Neumann High School. He began his iconic career by spinning records at clubs in Philadelphia and South Jersey. He danced on American Bandstand, even though he was underage. His career was varied and successful. The Geator produced and hosted a weekly television show in Philadelphia called The Discophonic Scene. He was also a co-owner of Record Museum, a small chain of local Philly stores selling vinyl albums and 45s. He even had a TV career guest-starring on The Mod Squad; The Monkees; The Tonight Show; and The Joey Bishop Show (another South Philly native). He also appeared in a few movies. But nothing compared to the purchase he made in 1972, a nightclub in Margate at the Jersey Shore that he named “Memories.” Indeed, many memories were made there. He played oldies four to five times a week until last year. In 1998, Jerry was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. His best-selling autobiography, You Only Rock Once: My Life in Music, was published in 2011. I hear it is being made into a movie. His family said in a statement: “So he lived life to the fullest and enjoyed sharing life with all of you. His love for Philadelphia only superseded his love of music. He was proud of this great city, and nothing made him prouder than the impact the music from Philadelphia made on the world.” What could be better than that. Jerry is survived by his daughters Kathi Furia (Robert), Geraldine Blavat, Stacy Braglia and Deserie Downey, five grandchildren as well as five great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his devoted partner of more than 30 years, Rosalie (Keely) Stahl. Rest in peace, Jerry.
Celebrating another trip around the sun this month are: Sandra Sage, Clemens Food Group; Guy Giordano, Vincent Giordano Corp.; Judy Spires, InSpire Inc. Consulting; Emilio Mignucci, DiBruno Brothers; Neil Brassell, NEB Consulting, LLC; Jim Ostling, Ostling and Associates; Bill Schlosky, Utz Snacks; Ed Symbouras, Specialty Fabricators; my Food Trade News partner in schmooze, Kevin Gallagher; and special birthday wishes to my daughter, Rosalie Marfuggi, Atalanta Corporation. Buon compleanno a tutti!
Quote of the month: “Youth is a gift of nature. Age is a work of art.” Jerry Blavat