I hope this finds everyone enjoying the end of the summer and the beautiful weather and heat we have been experiencing so far in the Northeast. Between all of the industry golf outings, dinners and trade shows there certainly has been ample time to get out and enjoy the season and to catch up with your friends in the industry.
Kudos once again to the team at Bozzuto’s for putting forth a spectacular three-day event with its supplier golf outing and two-day trade show held at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Ledyard, CT. When it comes to the Bozzuto’s team, nothing less than first class is ever accepted and it always shows. Shout outs to Pam Carstens, Chris Griffin and Steve Heggelke for all of the massive heavy lifting they do behind the scenes every year. And additional credit to Heggelke who shattered his old record by coordinating the distribution of more than 1,000 prizes in less than nine minutes during the raffle giveaway! Astounding!!
And speaking of shows, I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: if you have never attended a Key Food selling show you need to put the experience in your professional bucket list. For comparison sake, it’s the equivalent of “If you’ve never been to Mardi Gras, you have to go at least once to experience it.” The show always pushes the boundaries of what many of you have experienced at traditional trade events, but in a humorous, let’s-have-fun way. The bonus is that the show’s deals and networking opportunities are plentiful and Dean Janeway and George Knobloch always ensure that all of their owners and their staffs are present at the show which is what the vendor/exhibitor is really looking for. Well done to all involved.
Ran into old friend John Lombardi the “Egg Man” recently. John’s grandfather and dad were both egg farmers and John has it in his blood and has represented nearly every egg that has been around during his career, but he’s now adding something new to his resume. He is now peddling a new craft beer, Farmer’s Lager and Haze for Horses IPA by The Barn Brew Company in Groton, CT. I can vouch for the Farmer’s Lager as a seriously great tasting lager. Not too heavy, not too light (sounds like a beer commercial in there somewhere). John is rolling out in select areas around the country and if you’re interested give him a ring at 860.510.1600. Good Luck!
Congratulations to Daisy Timlin Moser of Ithaca Hummus on the birth of her first child, a little girl, Poppy. Daisy and her sister Lily Timlin of Over Easy are the daughters of an old meathead in the industry Paul Timlin, now of Coleman Natural Foods and it looks like there may be another food industry star in the making….congrats Daisy!
The Hive, a new Kosher supermarket recently opened in Airmont, NY. The site was a former Inserra supermarket on Route 59 and houses 55,000 square feet of kosher and gourmet items.
The Hive is owned by Aron Hirtz and joins Aron’s two other supermarkets, Cedar Market in Teaneck, NJ, which he co-founded and Aron’s Kissena Farms in Queens, NY. An extensive perimeter of fresh fish, butcher, produce, meals-to-go and an outstanding bakery department all enticed an overflow crowd on the opening weekend. Stop by and check it out if you’re in the area and you will be amazed. Mazel Tov, Aron!
Mark your calendars as there is still time to register for the Marcum Food & Beverage Summit on September 7 at the Convene in NYC. An in-depth discussion of AI and smart technology and how food and beverage companies can get ahead of the curve when implementing this technology are just some of points that will be touched upon. For more information go to www.marcumevents.com or contact Flo Federman at 631.414.4299.
Walmart’s commitment to investing more than $75 million over two years to update and reconfigure 11 stores in New Jersey has begun. The retailer’s Secaucus location is designated as a flagship store, of which there are only nine in the country and three in New Jersey (North Bergen, Teterboro and Secaucus). Not only does Walmart’s investment add local jobs, but the store transformations create an updated experience for customers, including expanded shopping options to help them save time and money. “I’m excited to offer New Jerseyans yet another Walmart ‘Flagship Store’ experience, adding the Secaucus store transformation to our innovative Flagship stores in Teterboro and North Bergan,” Walmart regional general manager Nico Vassol said. “I am so proud of how our associates have taken care of our customers, and each other, through the remodel experience and I am grateful for the strong leadership here and in surrounding stores.” Vassol also said Walmart’s investment adds to its free college offering for its associates through Live Better U, to sourcing $15.3 billion in products from New Jersey suppliers, to hosting free wellness events in local communities. The transformation at the Secaucus Walmart is a part of Walmart’s “Signature Experience,” which looks to inspire customers and elevate their in-store experience. Up to $10 million in corporate and insurance premiums tax credits will be auctioned through the Food Desert Relief Tax Credit Auction, according to the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA).
Beginning September 18, New Jersey corporate business tax or insurance premiums tax filers can apply to bid for tax credits at a discount of up to 15 percent. The application for the auction will close October 18. The application can be found at www.njda.gov and proceeds of the auction will fund programs aimed to improve and increase access to healthy and affordable food throughout New Jersey’s 50 food desert communities. The tax credit auction was approved by the NJEDA board in April.
“The NJEDA is committed to fighting food insecurity, and this tax credit auction will help raise funds for programs that will help ensure fresh, healthy and affordable food is accessible and available in every community across the state,” NJEDA CEO Tim Sullivan said. “Every New Jerseyan deserves access to high-quality food options, no matter their ZIP code.” In April, the board approved proposed rules for the $240 million Food Desert Relief Tax Credit Program, as well as the auction of up to $50 million of the $240 million in tax credits in 2023. Proceeds from the auction will be used to fund programs that will advance the priorities established by the Food Desert Relief Act. These future grants, loans and technical assistance initiatives will complement the Food Desert Relief Tax Credit Program, a tax credit program to support development and operation of new supermarkets in FDCs, by supporting small and midsized food retailers and other entities involved in strengthening food security.
Congratulations to Suzanne “Suzy” Strassburger who has been named to the Forbes 50 over 50 in the lifestyle category. Suzy is the CEO and owner of Strassburger Meats & Suzy Sirloin, the family steak purveyor she took over in 2002. A fifth-generation Strassburger, she is the first woman to run the company. She added the Suzy Sirloin company to the mix in 2010 when she added her own beef, pork and veal product. In 2015, she was named to the board of the North American Meat Institute, quite an achievement given the male-dominated nature of the meat industry. A week after she turned 50, she enrolled in Harvard Business School’s executive management program and has used the training to diversify and grow Strassburger and Suzy Sirloin. She says she was three years old when she first decided to take over the family business. As a kid, she eschewed selling Girl Scout cookies and instead learned to cook steak for her friends. As the Forbes article states, “Age can be your superpower and this list of honorees are changing the world.”
And last but not least, I wish nothing but the best to old friend Joe Fantozzi, the recently named interim president of Allegiance Retail Services. (see lead story on page 1) I can’t think of a better human being out there who is more ably suited than Joe to fill in for outgoing John Derderian and lead ARS to its pinnacle. Best wishes Joe!!
Well, I hope you all enjoy what is left of the summer and I look forward to seeing you out in the trade in the coming weeks. As we get ready to go on the press with this issue, I will be attending the NSA Ttade show and we will have a full recap in our next issue. Have a terrific Labor Day weekend and, as always, you can reach me at 201.250.2217 or [email protected].