It’s that March Madness time of year and the frenzy is upon us. Not only are your favorite men’s and women’s basketball teams doing battle on the hardwood for collegiate supremacy, but our food industry gets ready to do battle for consumer dollars and share of stomach against all channels of trade trying to tap into our industry. Let the games begin.
I had the opportunity to go to the 2023 National Grocers Association (NGA) Show in Las Vegas and it really was one of the better food industry conferences that I have been to in a while. More than 3,300 grocery industry professionals were in attendance for networking and education, plus the show featured a sold-out expo hall with more than 300 exhibitors of products and services and the event enjoyed its largest attendance since 2017. Independent retailers, wholesalers, CPG manufacturers and many others connected to our wonderful industry were in attendance for the three-day event.
“Thank you to everyone who came. This year’s show hit new benchmarks for attendance and exhibitor participation, everyone coming together to learn, network and explore new products and services,” said NGA president and CEO Greg Ferrara. “Thanks to all the companies who invested in their future by participating in the show. We look forward to building on this success as we plan our next show for 2024.”
That’s going to be a tall order because this year there was an expanded education program with more than 40 sessions covering a variety of topics such as, creative recruiting, multicultural marketing, the next generation of fresh, smart technology, retail media networks, e-commerce, indoor vertical farming, sustainability, retail media, ESG, HBC, snacking, tax credits, store operations, pet care, functional foods, supply chain and adult beverages. An exhibit hall with over 300 exhibitors, many networking events and competitions and award presentations. Some of the award recipients included the NGA Industry Service Award, which went to Rick Brindle, VP of industry development at Mondelez International. And in the Creative Choice Awards (co-sponsored with The Kellogg Company and Unilever) which recognizes the best marketing and merchandising programs in the industry, Allegiance Retail Services (Foodtown) won for large store operator (15 or more stores) for its “$9 A Day Challenge.” The runner-up was ShopRite for its “ShopRite Well Everyday” program. Congratulations to all and I’m very much looking forward to next year’s NGA Show.
We heard from Susan McAleavey Sarlund, Eastern Produce Council (EPC) executive director, who announced the members of the organization’s 2023 Leadership Class. Twenty-six up-and-coming produce professionals will benefit from a wide array of professional development opportunities related to the produce industry. The respected program delivers growth and knowledge experiences in a variety of venues. “Through this program, participants have the opportunity to grow from experiences in both field and classroom,” said McAleavey Sarlund. “This learning environment furthers their ability to develop their career in our industry. This is the largest class we’ve had yet which underscores the value of this type of combined classroom-field program.”
The participants include: Brian Arena, Four Seasons Produce; Julie Barber, The Oppenheimer Group; Lauren Barczak, Procacci Brothers; Jack Christy, The Oppenheimer Group; Andrea Cutler, Michael Cutler Company; Tyler Davidov, Suja; Anna Fagan, AeroFarms; Michael Hill, Nature Sweet; Chris Jacobsen, Silo; Mike Kominsky, Ventura Foods; Savannah Lloyd, Farm-Wey Produce Inc.; Joshua Minton, Frank Donio Inc.; Isaac Olivas, Fowler Farms; Luke Palizay, Pacific Trellis Fruit; Max Pozzessere, Little Leaf Farms; Nicolina Rutherford, Joseph Strumolo and Nicholas Vargas, Wakefern; Jessica Sarter, Pulmuone Foods; Jerry Scherwin, Penn Rose Farms; Christopher Scotti and Eric Smith, John Vena Inc.; Karolina Sokolska, Hampton Farms; Alexis Sommers, F&S Fresh Foods; Stephanie Tramutola, A & J Produce; and Jenna Vaccaro, Sugar Foods.
The program will kick off in March with a visit to the Philadelphia Produce Wholesale Market (PWPM) followed another outing to Holt Cargo Systems at the Port of Gloucester, NJ. In April, the group will participate in a seminar on the Food Safety and Modernization Act (FSMA) at Top Golf in Edison, NJ, prior to that month’s EPC membership event.
In October, the class will enjoy field experiences at Hionis Greenhouses and Rutgers Snyder Research Farm in New Jersey, and an engaging seminar in leadership by a Rutgers University adjunct professor. The program will wrap up in December with participation in the New York Produce Show, including the Cornell University Foundational Excellence Future-Leaders-In-Produce program, the show’s opening reception, and recognition at the keynote breakfast.
Congratulations to Joe Colalillo, chairman of the board and CEO of Wakefern and president of ShopRite of Hunterdon County, as he was recognized at the Cardinal’s Business and Labor Recognition Reception in Cedar Grove, NJ, an event spearheaded by Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, Archbishop of Newark, and the Archdiocese of Newark’s Office for Youth & Young Adult Ministry. Since its inception in 1994, the annual gathering of representatives from the business sector and labor unions has raised more than $5 million to benefit the children of the Archdiocese with programs such as CYO Camp, retreats, scouting, CYO athletics, and more. Also honored at the event was Sam Ferraino Jr., President of United Food & Commercial Workers Local 360.
“As well as supporting the efforts of the youth programs, this event enables us to bring together outstanding citizens of the business and labor communities,” Cardinal Tobin said. “We are truly blessed to have two fine men who are outstanding examples of success, distinction, and moral character as our honorees.” This years event raised $312,000 for the cause. Congratulations to both honorees!
Newsweek announced the results of its 2023 Best Loyalty Programs poll and several of our area supermarkets made the cut. The rankings were based on the results of an independent survey of customers who are members of loyalty programs of retailers or service providers in the United States. Approximately 16,000 surveys were received after various loyalty programs were evaluated and the assessment criteria for these rankings included ease and enjoyment, benefit, overall satisfaction, customer support, trust and recommendation. The survey was done on retailers and service providers from 32 categories, providing results for a broad range of loyalty programs in traditional retail, online retail and service components. Seven customers from our coverage area made the list, and in order from the top, it included: Foodtown (Allegiance Retail Services), Price Chopper, Giant Food, ShopRite, Key Food, Tops and Stop & Shop. Congrats to all and keep it up!
And finally, congratulations to Mike King, director of government relations at Alpha 1 Marketing, as he was named by the Catholic Institute of the Food Industry (CIFI) as its president for 2023. Also joining Mike as officers for the coming year are: Doug Adams, C.A. Ferolie, as 1st vice president; Bob Jordan, US Salt, as 2nd vice president; John Borzumato, Alpha 1 Marketing, as 3rd vice president; Jenn Carson, Alpha 1 Marketing, as secretary; and Greg McCann, Advantage Solutions, as treasurer. The CIFI donates 100 percent of its profits from fundraising events such as its installation ceremony and its Person of the Year event, to charities such as Calvary Hospital and to individuals in need within the grocery industry.
Please check out our trade calendar for the many upcoming events in the trading area. I know I will be at most if not all of them and I hope to see you there too! As always, you can reach me at 201.250.2217 or [email protected].