Happy New Year everyone and I hope you all had a terrific holiday season and are ready to embark on 2024 with optimism and good fortune. I’m certainly looking forward to it and although there are some gloomy forecasts out there for continued struggles, we are all looking to the new year as an opportunity for new beginnings and the hope for an even better year than the last.
Lots of news on several fronts from the nation’s largest member-owned cooperative, Wakefern Food Corporation. You can turn to our front page for the full story of how new president Mike Stigers is making progress with establishing his own team. After several months of hitting the streets and visiting with every member of the cooperative, Mike is starting to establish his team and we’re looking forward to seeing what 2024 brings. As former president Joe Sheridan said at the time of Mike’s hiring, “Wakefern’s unique culture and structure is at the heart of our success. I believe Mike Stigers is the right leader who will preserve the best of who we are and at the same time continue to move Wakefern forward.”
Wakefern and all of its supermarket banners hosted hiring fairs on January 20 for candidates seeking career opportunities and retail experience. The walk-up job fairs occurred at stores in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Delaware and Maryland. Job applicants were able to visit participating ShopRite, Price Rite Marketplace, The Fresh Grocer, Gourmet Garage or Fairway Market stores to speak with a hiring representative for an immediate interview. Full-time, part-time and management positions were available depending on the locations.
Available positions, including general, perishable, front end and stocking clerks, offered flexible hours and a variety of cross-training, including via game-based app, to give employees the knowledge, skills and tools to work as a team throughout the store. Each job offered opportunities for career growth and plays a key role in the operation of the entire Wakefern organization and its retail banners and stores, as well as scholarship opportunities and entertainment and tuition discounts.
And also from Wakefern, the coop recently announced its Own Brands’ CraveCon ’24: Indulgent Snacks Summit, which will be held in May. The event is an open call to private label manufacturers to source unique, exciting, indulgent and on-trend snack products for potential addition to Wakefern’s award-winning Bowl & Basket and Wholesome Pantry store brands portfolio. Certified private label manufacturers and suppliers interested in participating in Wakefern’s CraveCon ‘24 are encouraged to submit their application through January 29. “We are excited to expand on the success of our Own Brands Supplier Summit with a fun focus this year on treats,” Wakefern said in a statement. “We’ve enjoyed success in the snack category, including with our award-winning private label Bowl & Basket potato chips, and we are excited to expand the snack category with even more delicious and decadent options.” Wakefern has invested in its private label lines Bowl & Basket and Wholesome Pantry by focusing on premium quality and innovation, with customers embracing the brands for their value and novelty. In addition, Wakefern has hosted summits in the past to source new and on-trend products for its store brands, including a recent supplier diversity summit to find diverse private label manufacturers. Those winning suppliers, which include women and minority-owned businesses, will provide new store brand sauces, spices and even restaurant-quality, frozen meals with vegetarian, plant-based, and gluten-free options. To be considered for CraveCon ‘24, certified suppliers must fill out the RangeMe application online. All applicants must be GFSI certified, pass the Dunn & Bradstreet search, have experience with private label manufacturing and the capabilities to launch with shippers or DRC. For more information and to complete an application, visit wakeferncravecon2024 [rangeme.com].
Heard from old friend Brian Todd of The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) that the NJEDA has opened up applications for supermarket operators interested in applying for the Food Desert Supermarket Initial Operating Cost Tax Credit. Interested parties are invited to participate in a walk-through of the just-released application. This tax credit is available to operators wishing to open new supermarkets as well as redevelop existing supermarkets in New Jersey Food Desert Communities (FDCs). Through this effort, the state seeks to address the food security needs in 50 such communities by providing up to $40 million per year in tax credits to develop and sustain new supermarkets and grocery stores in food deserts. The Financing Gap Tax Credit, which is available to supermarket developers, will be reviewed separately in the near future. For a single store to receive both credits, the applications must be reviewed and approved simultaneously. Tax credits may be resold for a minimum of 85 percent of the transferred credit amount.
The NJEDA grows the state’s economy and increases equitable access to opportunity by supporting high-quality job creation, catalyzing investment, and fostering vibrant, inclusive community development. NJEDA works in partnership with a diverse range of stakeholders to implement programs and initiatives that improve quality of life, enhance economic vitality and strengthen New Jersey’s long-term economic competitiveness.
You can learn more about the program, and apply for the tax credits, by going to https://www.njeda.gov/food-security-programs/.
Congratulations to Adam and Erica Shapiro on the opening of Bloomingdale Supermarket by Foodtown in Bloomingdale, NJ. The township’s name was merged with the Foodtown banner to reflect the significance of the community in which it opened. Previously, the space was occupied by an IGA supermarket and consists of 8,000 square feet. It is the second grocery store to be opened by ARS members and store co-owners Adam and Erica Shapiro. The first store the Shapiros opened was a Green Way Market in Maplewood, NJ. Many in the industry know Adam as the longtime righthand man of Jack Shakoor of Jack’s Foodtown and Adam still manages his Jack’s locations. As a member of the ARS co-op, Bloomingdale Supermarket by Foodtown will offer natural and organic choices, value-based lines, garden fresh fruits and vegetables, specialty meats and cheeses, fresh baked goods, grab-and-go meals, fresh flowers and more. “Prior to becoming an owner and operator of his own supermarkets, Adam Shapiro worked in the industry for many years, overseeing operations for some of our member stores,” said Joe Fantozzi, president and CEO of Allegiance Retail Services and Foodtown. “It is heartening to see what the Shapiro’s have accomplished in a short time, and their commitment to offering diverse and quality lines in their supermarkets.” Good luck, Adam and Erica.
Looks like another ShopRite is coming to Long Island. According to Newsday, a major revamp of the Green Acres Mall would bring a ShopRite supermarket and will feature outside dining, a modified streetscape with outdoor entrances for new tenants and other changes to the Valley Stream property. With up to 400,000 square feet of redevelopment, the project would include the construction of a freestanding 80,000 square foot ShopRite on what is now a parking area as well as demolition of the former Sears and Sears Auto stores. The ShopRite lease has been submitted to the Hempstead Industrial Development Agency for approval, he said. The IDA holds the title to the mall under a payment-in-lieu-of-taxes agreement, or PILOT, established in 2015. So, the IDA has to approve all leases at the mall. The ShopRite would be operated by Glass Gardens Inc., a family-owned business that operates 11 ShopRite stores in New Jersey and New York. “We look forward to providing a full-service supermarket experience to the greater Valley Stream community,” said Terry Glass, co-CEO and co-president of Glass Gardens.
Well, that will do it for now everyone. I hope this new year brings you success, happiness, prosperity and good health in all that you do and may it bring you closer to the people you love and cherish. I hope to see you out in the field soon and as always you can reach me at 201.250.2217 or [email protected].