Greetings all. Well, I think it’s safe to say it’s time to bring out the sweaters and cool weather clothes as we get into the thick of autumn. And with the way our Jets and Giants have started the football season and also with no post-season baseball in NYC, it will seem even colder this fall.
Krasdale Foods celebrated its 115th Anniversary Gala at Borgata Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City at the end of September and it was a three-day extravaganza! Planner extraordinaire Bridget Maloney really put together an outstanding soiree for Krasdale customers, associates, vendors and guests. More than 650 were on hand to mingle, relax, network and enjoy one of the industry’s best celebratory events. Well done to all involved!!
Kudos to the good folks at Toufayan Bakeries as the Ridgefield, NJ-based manufacturer announced its dedication to the fight against breast cancer again in 2023. Throughout the month of October, a portion of proceeds from the sale of 200,000 specially marked pink packages of their best-selling Toufayan Pita bread will be donated to the cause.
Karen Toufayan, VP of marketing at the third generation of Toufayan shares the company’s commitment, saying “Breast cancer touches the lives of countless individuals each year, including our team here at Toufayan, family and friends. Our decision to continue to support those battling breast cancer as well as survivors, research and education, is always an easy one.”
Consumers can play a pivotal role in supporting Toufayan’s noble mission by simply looking for specially marked packages of Toufayan Original Pita in grocery stores through the month of October or purchase online direct from the bakery in Toufayan’s Amazon store. The packages prominently feature pink trim and the iconic breast cancer awareness ribbon and offer a delicious way for individuals to contribute to the fight against a cause that affects so many. The program coincides with the big national program orchestrated by the Susan G. Komen organization. The 5th annual “Live Pink” helps consumers make smart, informed decisions about how they can ensure that the proceeds from their purchases are making a difference in the fight to save lives from breast cancer. The program is not just unique to the food industry but crosses over to all aspects of everyday life. For more information on the full program go to www.komen.org/livepink.
Congratulations to Jose Torres who has joined Krasdale Foods as a sales manager for the Metro New York/New Jersey market. Jose was formerly with Acosta as a business manager and will report to Cynthia Ramos, chief sales officer.
The team at Island Harvest is asking for your help. The school year is in full swing and so are Island Harvest’s programs for helping those who go to school hungry. The group is in need of contributions that will ensure they can continue with the work that they do to provide children and their families with fresh produce, non-perishable items and support services. The organization’s Our Kids Weekend Backpack Feeding Program provides children in 19 schools and more than 1,700 students with a weekly pack of nutritious food designed to feed a family of four over the weekend when school is not in session. The Youth Produce Project provides young children and their families with boxes of fresh produce and recipes and tips on how to prepare the items they receive.
More than 35 school pantries are supported across Long Island and need our help to stock their shelves with healthy food and household items for students and families in need. Through Island Harvest’s programs, children learn about each type of produce and multipole ways to prepare it. By involvi9ng the youth in the learning process, they become interested in the meal preparation and become willing to try new foods. Island Harvest president and CEO Randy Shubin Dresner says, “We want every child to be able to come to school and focus on learning and growing. Please help us ensure that children, families and all those we serve across Long Island have access to the healthy food they need to thrive. For more information go to www.islandharvest.org.
The New Jersey Food Council’s (NJFC) Mid-Atlantic 2023 Loss Prevention Conference will take place on November 2 at the Forsgate Country Club in Monroe Township, NJ. A full day of speakers, exhibitors, awards presentations and door prizes await all attendees. Albertson’s Nathan Bandries and Shane Coover will be two of the featured speakers from the food industry as will Will England of Weis Markets. Two of the food industry honorees during the day will be Mike Murphy, asset protection investigations specialist with Retail Business Services/Ahold Delhaize USA, and Dawn Roller, director of loss prevention at Brown’s Super Stores. Mike will receive the NJFC Loss Prevention Professional Award and Dawn will receive the PMFA Loss Prevention Award. For more information on attending the conference go to https://njfoodcouncil.com/2023-loss-prevention-registration.
Stew Leonard’s recently broke ground on its second New Jersey location and eight overall in the Styertowne Shopping Center on Allwood Road in Clifton. “We plan to be open in the summer of 2024” said Stew Leonard Jr., CEO and son of the founder of the supermarket chain who died in April. “We like Clifton’s diverse and dense population,” he said at the site of the new store. A large crowd was on hand at the groundbreaking event on Allwood Road to see Leonard, his extended family, their key managers, Wow the Cow, Stewie the Duck and the 356-pound pumpkin that was dropped from an excavator for even more theater. The plan calls for the new supermarket to integrate the current Stew Leonard’s Wine & Spirits store now located nearby at Clifton’s Promenade Shops on Route 3. Seasons, a large kosher supermarket chain with stores in New York and New Jersey, announced in an April 29 press release that it lost its lease in the Styertowne Shopping Center. Seasons opened the Clifton site in 2016 and has plans to open other stores including a full-size supermarket in Toms River next year.
Well, that’s a wrap for this month everyone. There are plenty of events on the calendar over the next few weeks. Check out our Trade Calendar and hopefully I see you out there. As always you can reach me at 201.250.2217 or [email protected].