As we go to press, the E-A-G-L-E-S are 5-0 and for the second year in a row, our Phillies slaughtered the much-touted best team in baseball, the Atlanta Braves, to advance to the NLCS and secure home field advantage against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Post season MLB history was made by right fielder Nick Castellanos with his multiple home runs in back-to-back games. Fuel was added to the fire when Braves pitcher Spencer Strider told the fans to be quiet …they’re too loud (yeah, right)! Castellanos replied with a “no way” which made the noise level at Citizens Bank Park during game 4 even higher. In true Philly fashion, fans wore t-shirts and held signs saying, “Is This Too Loud For You Spencer?” It’s been a great month for us Philadelphia sports fans!
After many delays, the highly anticipated McCaffrey’s Fresh Markets in Gladwyne, PA made its grand entrance on the Main Line on September 21. The 25,000 square foot state-of-the-art new store, almost an exact replica of the New Hope store, will be staffed by food experts and offer what McCaffrey’s is famous for: exceptional produce, meat, seafood, gourmet cheese, deli, bakery and floral, along with chef-inspired, gourmet prepared foods. Some highlights of the store include: beer and wine, a gourmet sandwich station, hundreds of cheeses from around the globe, extensive specialty grocery selection, hundreds of organic and exotic product offerings, custom cakes, and, of course, Java Jim’s coffee bar with a comfortable, intimate indoor seating area. The response has been excellent. One of my friends who lives on the Main Line actually texted me a photo of the produce department oohing and ahh-ing at how beautiful it was. This is the perfect location for a McCaffrey’s, and for those who didn’t know the name before they landed on the Main Line, they will certainly know it soon. Congratulations!
The Giant Company celebrated its official 100th birthday on October 4. During that celebration, The Giant Company (TGC) awarded a total of $500,000 to 20 local non-profits as part of its Make a Difference Challenge. The challenge was designed to honor TGC’s legacy of giving back by supporting non-profit organizations whose work has a direct impact on creating a future that promotes healthier people and a healthier planet. “Our community partners have always played a crucial role in making a difference in the local communities The Giant Company has served for the past 100 years,” said John Ruane, president, TGC. “To recognize and to help move their projects forward is truly an honor, as together, we can help create healthier communities. Congratulations to the Make a Difference Challenge recipients, we can’t wait to see your aspirations become reality!” More than 75 non-profit organizations located in TGC’s footprint submitted proposals outlining how their unique program would enhance their community and lives of those they serve. The final monetary awards were determined from a mix of online voting and live presentations to a panel of judges. Congratulations all around!
In other TGC news, the company recently hosted its annual floral seminar, bringing together more than 200 floral team members for a day of professional development centered around industry trends, preparing for the holidays, and best practices. In addition, 12 team members were recognized as top performers from each region. “Whether it’s a holiday, significant milestone, or just a bouquet to brighten your day, our floral team members always go above and beyond to make any moment special for our customers,” said Kevin Prill, category manager, floral, TGC. “As we gear up for the busy holiday season, it’s important to recognize our floral leads who provide excellent customer service by staying ahead of the floral trends and delivering professional, eye-catching designs that make a lasting impression. The success of their respective floral departments is the direct result of this dedication to their craft.” In addition, TGC recognized three vendor partners who go above and beyond in helping to deliver customer promises. Rainforest Farms & Bouquets and Syndicate Sales were each awarded Best Category Support and Balloons Everywhere received the Vendor Recognition Award. Congratulations to all…flowers always make people smile!
Late last month, Pennsylvania Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding visited the Eat Real Food Mobile Market at Paxinosa Elementary School in Easton to announce the theme for the 108th Pennsylvania Farm Show: Connecting Our Communities. The 2024 PA Farm Show, Pennsylvania’s State Fair, will run from January 6 through January 13 at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex and Expo Center in Harrisburg. “The Pennsylvania Farm Show is a living story of Pennsylvania agriculture, connecting those who are fed, nourished, and enriched by our industry to those whose lives and livelihoods depend on it,” Secretary Redding said. “Agriculture unites us. It is the food, fuel, and fiber we rely on for our quality of life and our economy. Food helps define our cultures and our identities.” The Kellyn Foundation’s Eat Real Food Mobile Market visits multiple sites on a regular weekly schedule and includes sampling, nutritional education, and recipes. Eat Real Food provides healthy, local food access at an affordable price, providing opportunities for families to connect with nutritious foods. This market grew out of a multi-industry partnership of the Kellyn Foundation, the Bethlehem Area School District, the Lehigh Valley Health Network, Penn State Extension, Rodale Institute, the Bethlehem Food Co-Op, Meals on Wheels and Second Harvest Food Bank. These organizations joined forces to support a stronger local food system, ensuring locally grown food production can flourish through the development and expansion of local food infrastructure. This effort includes farmers, manufacturers, processors, distributors, institutional buyers, neighborhoods, and individual consumers, along with the support of governmental, non-profit and for-profit entities. Together, they are creating jobs, supporting the environment, championing the health of their community, and reducing food insecurity.
The 2024 Farm Show will feature fan-favorites like the 1,000-pound butter sculpture, famous Farm Show Food Court, youth showmanship, and sheep shearing competitions (among hundreds of other competitive agricultural events), cooking demonstrations at the PA Preferred Culinary Connection, and more than one million square feet of hands-on agriculture education opportunities and chances to engage with the people who power Pennsylvania’s $132.5 billion agriculture industry. And don’t forget to have the famous milkshakes made by the PA Dairymen’s Association; a staple at the PA Farm Show since 1953.
The critical and ongoing connection between state lawmakers and New Jersey’s food retailers was heralded during the Food Council Committee for Good Government’s (FCCfGG) 49th Annual Good Government Breakfast held October 4 at Forsgate Country Club. “The global pandemic taught us many things, especially that our food distribution industry is ‘Beyond Essential’ and serves as the cornerstone of New Jersey communities,” said Linda Doherty, FCCfGG treasurer, as well as president and CEO of the New Jersey Food Council (NJFC). “While our industry still faces challenges and food inflation is having an impact on the pocketbook of today’s shoppers, our friends in Trenton understand that food council members are resilient and reliable,” Doherty said. “New Jersey residents depend on our members for health and wellness, for their generous charitable giving and support of foodbanks and civic groups, for being a dependable source of employment and for our community assistance during emergencies.” About 60 state legislators and policy makers joined food industry representatives at the breakfast. Lawmakers, key government officials and business leaders were provided with a state legislative election perspective from both political parties represented by Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin (D-19th Dist.) and Senate Republican Leader Anthony Bucco (R-25th Dist.). New Jersey food retailers provided information about several priority issues for the food industry, including the threat of organized retail theft, the ongoing success of the single-use bag ban, the detrimental decision by the New Jersey Lottery Commission to become an agent for online lottery sales, burdensome packaging/labeling mandates, the need for liquor license reform and the dangers of suggested bottle deposit legislation, dubbed the “bottle bill.”
Heaven truly gained another angel on September 24 when Marianne Santo, a valued member of the produce team at Wakefern passed away suddenly at the age of 61. I remember the first time I met Marianne many years ago at an Eastern Produce Council Women’s Committee meeting. She was definitely in charge, glasses on her head, red nail polish and a huge smile. All signatures we will not soon forget. Marianne had a brilliant mind, sparkling quick wit to go with her smile, and was truly a good human. A philanthropist, she was devoted to causes such as Dress for Success, the Food Bank, and God’s Love We Deliver. Her life’s mission was to help others and provide for those in need. The Eastern Produce Council released a statement from Susan McAlevey Sarlund and Theresa Lowden, JOH: “Marianne was so passionate about the produce industry and its people, was a mentor to so many, and lifted everyone up whenever she had the opportunity. While it is difficult to see through the sorrow, Marianne’s giving heart, light and passion for this industry and life will continue to shine through everyone she has touched, mentored and led.” Indeed, that will be her legacy. She contributed more to the future of the produce industry than anyone I know. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Marianne’s memory to World Central Kitchen (wck.org) or God’s Love We Deliver (www.glwd.org) Rest in peace, my friend.
Taking another trip around the sun this October are: Chad Vilotti, Liscio’s Bakery; Ray Nemeth, Snyder’s/Lance; Justine Giordano, Vincent Giordano Corp.; Nina Weiland, FTN alumna; and special wishes go to Frank Nardi, retired from Wakefern, who celebrated his 100th birthday earlier this month with four generations of his family gathered for a grand celebration. Cent’anni, Frank…you made it! Buon compleanno a tutti!
Quote of the month: “The heat of autumn is different from the heat of summer. One ripens apples, the other turns them to cider.” Jane Hirshfield
Maria can be reached at 443.631.0172