Red October is over for the Phillies. Their bats went cold and there were too many strike outs to beat the Arizona Diamondbacks who went on to lose the World Series. We thank the Phillies for an outstanding season and look forward to more in 2024! Even though the City of Brotherly Love didn’t win on the field, Philabundance did win off the field, facing off against Feeding America partner, St. Mary’s Food Bank, in Phoenix, AZ. During this year’s NLCS playoff run, Philabundance launched a friendly competition to raise funds for hunger relief while bringing awareness to food insecurity in each region. Both cities came out swinging. Philabundance raised more than $37,000 and St. Mary’s raised over $31,000. Kudos to all the supporters for helping to fight hunger now and end hunger for good.
So, let’s talk turkey for a minute. Is Thanksgiving dinner really about the bird or the sides? In their annual survey, Campbell’s “State of the Sides” report revealed that indeed, more than two thirds of Americans prefer sides to the entrée and over half would be happy with just sides on their plate. But which sides do Americans prefer? Well, that varies by state and the top five have had a bit of a shake up this year. The new number one is mashed potatoes, followed by (ousted) stuffing, mac and cheese (new to the list), sweet potatoes/yams and green bean casserole, which, by the way, was invented in 1955 by Dorcas Reilly and her team, in the Campbell’s test kitchen. Friendsgiving is becoming more popular each year with more creative sides and many recipes coming from influencers and celebrities. With an average of five sides at each Thanksgiving table mainly made from scratch, there’s something for everyone. And don’t forget to leave room for dessert!
The mojo is back! Just after our October issue went to press, Wegmans opened their first store in Manhattan at Astor Place in the City’s East Village. As usual, Wegmaniacs (a name given to Wegmans fanatics) were lined up from 4:00 a.m., wrapped around the store waiting for the doors to open. Danny Wegman along with his wife Paula and daughters Colleen and Nicole received guests and employees as is their custom, greeting each person individually and engaging with their employees. Under the supervision of long time Wegmans leader, Matthew Dailor, this urban store will be the showstopper by which all new retail outlets will be measured for many years to come. “Wegmans is a celebration of food and people, and we can’t wait to open the doors on October 18 to our community here in the East Village,” said Dailor prior to the opening. More than 600 newly hired employees are helping to create a one-of-a-kind shopping experience in the store’s warm and welcoming atmosphere that reflects the original architecture of the historic Wannamaker building. At 87,500 square feet on two levels, this store is spectacular. Customers enter and exit through one set of doors. Hopefully it will detract from retail organized crime which is rampant in large cities including Manhattan. The main floor is essentially a food hall with architectural details that contribute to the magical atmosphere, aka, the mojo. Wegmans’ extensive restaurant foods selections, prepared by executive chef David Lopatynski and his culinary staff, include fresh sushi, poke bowls, fresh-made salads, sandwiches, hot sandwiches, soups, pizza, and wings, as well as hot Asian cuisine options.
The ready-to-eat and ready-to-heat options feature a wide selection of entrees and sides in both single serve and family packs that we all know and love in the other Wegmans. Also available are made-to-order and packaged Mezze options, inspired by a Mediterranean diet. As you head downstairs on the escalator/ cartolator, the lower level opens to a beautiful produce display. Unique to this store is Sakanaya (“fish market” in Japanese) with fish flown in daily from Japan that comes complete with a fish monger calling out the offerings with a microphone. Included are many species from Tokyo’s world-famous Toyosu Fish Market, as well as domestic seafood options from along the East Coast. Wegmans fishmongers are expanding their knowledge and skills by working side-by-side with embedded teachers from Japan. The store will also be home to a 94-seat seafood restaurant with a Champagne and oyster bar plus a sushi counter scheduled to open in the first half of 2024. The Astor Place Wegmans is open from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. every day. Welcome to Manhattan!
More news from Wegmans as they recently became the Official Grocer of the Philadelphia Flyers. They signed a multi-year deal which includes several unique activation points across the Flyers portfolio including with the Flyers and Flyers Charities. Through the partnership, Wegmans and the Flyers will create a new program called Food & Fridges which will provide a new branded refrigerator and snacks to a local school where students participating in sports can access healthy snacks. The first school in the program is Penn Wood High School in Lansdowne, PA. Wegmans will also become the presenting partner for the Flyers Recess program which launched last season. Flyers Recess is a free school assembly program designed to help local kids stay healthy and active while learning important life skills like teamwork and determination. Kids participate in an interactive, gameshow-style assembly where they get to practice hockey skills with new, Flyers-themed equipment donated by the Flyers organization. Last year the program reached 6,500 students across 16 schools and plans to increase its reach this season. Wegmans will also have a presence at the upcoming Gritty 5K, one of Flyers Charities marquee fundraising events. Wegmans will be providing all cakes used at the Gritty “Caking” station and will supply Wegmans Wholesum bars for all participants. Maybe Gritty will be a guest sampler at some of the stores in the future…
The Mid Atlantic Food Trade Organization (MAFTO) held its inaugural Night of Recognition honoring The Giant Company (TGC) president John Ruane on November 2 at the Sheraton Valley Forge. This has been quite a year for TGC as they celebrate their 100th birthday. Over 200 industry glitterati came from all corners of the northeast to honor John and his long and successful career. His acceptance speech was humble and spoken from the heart, at the same time offering his view on what it takes to be successful. Some of the ten points he mentioned: you have to do the work; persevere – most people give up; 90 percent of the world’s problems stem from a failure to communicate; an unvetted plan can ruin a company and my favorite; in a world of limits, every choice you make precludes another. Well said! MAFTO president Jennifer Bergman of Advantage and her team have reimagined the Gala Weekend held for many years in Atlantic City. Times change and the Night of Recognition is an excellent alternative to an event that had had worn out its welcome. Congratulations all around with a second congrats to John for being awarded the Pete Manos Retail Executive of the Year. He was given the award at a breakfast meeting held November 8 at Martin’s West in Baltimore by the Maryland Retailer Association.
A tip of the hat to Sean McMenamin, McMenamin Family Markets, as he succeeds Joe Colalillo as chairman of Wakefern Food Corp. Also at the annual meeting, Sandy Brown, chairwoman of Brown’s Super Stores was named to the Wakefern board of directors. Congratulations!
November is Diabetes Awareness Month and to that point, I want to send a huge shout out to Wawa and the Wawa Foundation, for sponsoring the JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation) Greater Delaware Valley Chapter’s One Walk to Cure Type 1 Diabetes on November 12 at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia. The Walk raised over $1 million. Of course, Wally the Wawa Goose and the Phillie Phanatic were on hand to help the walkers warm up and lead the parade of the T1D “superheroes” as they made their way to the starting gate. For those who do not know, JDRF is the leading global organization funding type 1 diabetes (T1D) research. Their vision is a world without T1D and their mission is to improve lives today and tomorrow by accelerating life-changing breakthroughs to cure, prevent and treat T1D and its complications. Volunteering at this event gives me hope for all the “superheroes”, including my son Gino, who live with this chronic, difficult disease. Thank you Wawa!
Celebrating birthdays this grateful month of November are: Gary Michael Redner, Redner’s Fresh Markets; Jim Mullen, Giant Direct; Joe Pace III, Pace Target Brokerage; Mike Mackin, Schmidt Baking; Joseph Talluto, Talluto’s Authentic Italian Foods; Anthony Maglio Jr., Maglio Sausage; and me…still crazy after all these years! Buon compleanno a tutti!
As I remind you all each year, while celebrating this most American holiday with family and friends, please remember to give to those who are food insecure and keep our troops at home and abroad in your prayers during these very difficult times as they continue to sacrifice for our way of life. Happy Thanksgiving.
Quote of the month: “Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all the others.” Marcus Tullius Cicero
Maria can be reached at [email protected] or 443-631-0172