I recently saw a meme that said, “January was a tough year, but we made it.” My sentiments exactly. Thankfully, February seems much calmer despite the recent snowfall. The best news is that by the time you read this, the Phillies will be prepping for their spring training opener against the Toronto Blue Jays on February 24. Travis and Taylor are a cute couple, but football is over…now let’s play some baseball!
It’s been a while since we’ve been to an Acme event, but they have been hard at work updating stores as was evidenced at the reopening of the Acme, College Park in Newark, DE on February 9. This store was a Pathmark in its former life in a rundown shopping center near the University of Delaware. Now, it’s part of a “town center” one of many popping up all over our area that boast apartments, retail spaces, restaurants and other amenities potential residents are looking for these days.
Acme was up to the task, doing a major renovation (including brand new, energy saving cases and fixtures in all departments) that combined some traditional features including the deli, bakery, meat, seafood, pharmacy and produce departments with some expanded and new features. The store now offers busy shoppers time-saving amenities including Drive Up & Go curbside pickup and acmemarkets.com home delivery. There is also a beautiful full-service floral department that was a staging area for dry grocery weekly sale items and a new “Ready Meals” section which has already been a huge success with both seniors and college students (neither like to cook). The produce department has been upgraded with an expanded selection of fresh cut fruits and vegetables; and the bakery has added artisan bread, rolls and pastries, as well as frozen cakes with more gluten-free and sugar-free options. They also expanded the seasonal/holiday section.
Acme district manager Kevin Reger commented that the store’s biggest asset is the people who work there and how their efforts have helped with the store’s success and attain 5.6 percent of the store’s total volume in ecommerce sales. On hand to welcome representatives from local organizations were Acme president Tom Lofland and some of the executive team: Jay Habben, Sherry Caldwell and Mike Styer. Receiving donations from Acme at the ribbon cutting were the Food Bank of Delaware from funds generated from Holiday Food Drive, $11,000; Christina School District, $1,000; and the Police Athletic League of Delaware, $1,000. Nice job, Acme!
Once again, an independent retailer in the Philadelphia market has been honored by the Independent Grocers Alliance (IGA) as a 2024 U.S. Retailer of the Year. Just before the Christmas holidays they announced that John and Chad Cropper of Crop’s Fresh Market received the honor along with eight other IGA member retailers from around the country. These visionary grocery store operators and their teams are driving progress in the independent grocery industry.
Nominated by their wholesalers (in Crop’s case, Bozzuto’s) as the top retailers, they stand out among the premier establishments within the extensive network of 30,000 independent grocers, 2,000 of which are IGA stores, in the USA. The Retailer of the Year awards are the highest honors IGA bestows upon its retailer members. They are presented annually to grocers who have best provided leadership and excellence in their communities.
“The 2024 Retailers of the Year showcase excellence across every dimension of a thriving community grocer, offering a diverse range of local and fresh products,” said IGA CEO John Ross. “These outstanding retailers not only foster meaningful connections within their communities but also demonstrate exemplary leadership as employers, embodying the spirit of success in independent grocery enterprises.”
Ross, who was accompanied by Steve Capanna and Michael Fraioli from Bozzuto’s, spoke to the department heads and office staff of Crop’s in attendance during his visit on January 26. He explained to the group that in addition to the almost 2,000 stores (whose numbers have doubled in the past four years) in the USA, there are 6,500 markets globally. Ross also gave the store a check so they could have a party to celebrate their award. Based on information gathered during the IGA’s store visits, each IGA USA Retailer of the Year will receive additional recognition for their unique accomplishments such as innovations, community service, and more on stage at the IGA Awards of Excellence Ceremony on March 11 held in Las Vegas during the NGA Show. The Awards of Excellence Ceremony will recognize fellow IGA Retailers of the Year from other countries in addition to select Red Oval partners and wholesalers. At the ceremony, one of the IGA USA Retailers of the Year will be named IGA USA International Retailer of the Year. Congratulations to the Cropper family!
The New Jersey Food Council (NJFC) began the year on a good note at their annual meeting on January 23 at the Forsgate Country Club in Monroe. They set some new record numbers for 2024: a total of 47 sponsors and a resounding 25 new members. Over 210 guests were present to network and witness the 2024 officers’ induction by Tenafly Mayor Mark Zinna. U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) was the guest speaker with the event concluding on a high note with an inspiring address from NJFC chairman Andrew Kent, Glass Gardens ShopRite.
Linda Doherty, president and CEO, NJFC, also made some comments. “Let me express my heartfelt gratitude to all of the members who unselfishly volunteered their talent, time and expertise to help strengthen and grow the New Jersey Food Council over the past year,” Doherty said. “I’m impressed by the way the board and our members united and for all we accomplished in 2023. I am highly optimistic for the future as we advance our impressive agenda.”
Another highlight of the meeting was the introduction of the three new members of the board of directors: Shawn Rinnier, Save Philly Stores; Joe Donato Jr., business development, UNFI; and Jennifer Sweeney, Campbell Soup Company. Finally, the new leadership class was introduced to the NJFC membership. Next up for the NJFC is the Trade Relations Conference on April 9 at a new location, Caesars Atlantic City, beginning at 3:00 p.m. The conference will feature a fireside chat with Wakefern president and CEO Michael Stigers and Nick Brown of KraftHeinz will be honored with the Jimmy Ostling Trade Relations Award.
So, recently you may have heard of a report about the single use bag ban in New Jersey saying that the ban was a flop and more single use bags were being used now than prior to the ban. Don’t believe it. Truth be told, that report was commissioned by the American Recyclable Plastic Bag Alliance (ARPBA), which notes on its website that it “represents the interests of U.S.-based manufacturers and recyclers of plastic bags” and done by Ohio-based market researcher The Freedonia Group which released their findings at the end of December 2023. Then there’s a more accurate study by publicinterestnetwork.org aptly titled, Plastic Bag Ban Works, a 19-page study on the effectiveness of banning single use plastic bags. Indeed, the ban does work and there is so much information out there to back up that claim. The website litterfreenj.com is a good resource for NJ residents educating them on how to be better at recycling, etc.
NJFC president Doherty directed me to a website called environmentAmerica.org which offers a Single-use Plastic Bag Ban Waste Reduction Calculator. It’s eye opening. For example, I used to live in Montgomery Township, NJ. With a population of just over 23,000, each year with a bag ban would save almost 7 million single use plastic bags and would eliminate over 35,000 gallons of oil needed to produce them. Wow! Do the research and those single use bags will be gone from your lives forever!
Since we’re on the topic of sustainability and recycling, by now you all know about my affinity for reusable shopping bags…the trunk of my car is overrun with them. And, yes, I use them more than three times each. Now I have more recyclables to collect. I was recently gifted some recycled household products from a company called Maple Origins. The company is family owned and has been in operation for over 50 years. Products include brightly and earth tone colored bowls in many sizes, for food prep and eating, plates, utensils, and trays, all of which are top shelf dishwasher safe and are made from a combination of recycled maple wood and food-safe plastic, called wood-plastic composite – all sturdy, and responsibly made in Connecticut. An added feature is that they’re reasonably priced. I can’t wait to use them when the weather breaks for outdoor dining!
Heaven gained another angel this past month when the last of the five Genuardi brothers who together built a supermarket dynasty, Dominic (Tom) Genuardi Sr. passed away on January 24 at the age of 100. His full obituary is on page 2. He leaves behind a large family and a huge legacy. He was married to his wife Gloria for 54 years this month. She was a strong influence on his longevity, keeping Tom healthy by adhering to the Mediterranean diet. According to the folks at the Genuardi Family Foundation, despite his advanced age, he was still coming into the office with the help of one of his sons until a month before he passed, and they miss his presence.
His son Tom Genuardi Jr., said, “My father was the last Genuardi Brother to pass away. It’s amazing the dynasty Dad and his brothers were able to build from a dream, hard work, integrity and their commitment to family, their employees, the trade and their customers.”
Like his brothers, Tom never forgot where he came from and was always willing to do whatever it took to get the job done. He had many longtime friends from the Norristown area as well as the food industry and Cedarbrook CC. In particular, Larry Rothwell (until his passing) and Tom Furia remained close friends. A life well lived. Rest in peace, Tom.
I want to send a shoutout to Isgro’s Bakery, who has been named as one of 20 James Beard Foundation semifinalists for outstanding bakery for 2024. Mario Isgro, a Sicilian immigrant founded the bakery 120 years ago on Christian Street between 10th and 11th Streets in South Philadelphia and the bakery and store remain there today. His great grandsons, AJ and Michael Sarno are continuing the family legacy and are running the business now. Isgro’s is known for the best cannoli, but the Cassata, a Sicilian rum cake is also top notch.
could go on for hours about this bakery. After all, they used Maggio Ricotta to fill every cannoli they made and they made my parents’ wedding cake, delivering it to the Essex House in Newark and decorating it there. I have fond memories as a child of going in the back of the store to the kitchen with my father and watching Mrs. Isgro make the marzipan lambs for Easter. Those same molds are still used today, and I buy one every year for my Easter table. Fingers crossed that they take the prize. But they are already winners in my book…and to many other customers across the country. They ship nationwide. You can order online www.isgropastries.com. You won’t be sorry.
Celebrating another trip around the sun this wintery month of February are: Dennis Hickey, Krasdale; Sandra Sage, Clemens Food Group; Guy Giordano, Vincent Giordano Corp.; Emilio Mignucci, DiBruno Brothers; Neil Brassell, NEB Consulting, LLC; Bill Schlosky, Utz Snacks; Jim Ostling, Ostling and Associates; my partner in schmooze, Kevin Gallagher, Food Trade News; and special birthday hugs for my daughter, Rosalie Marfuggi, Atalanta Corporation. Buon compleanno a tutti!
Quote of the month: “Music can reach those places where words alone can’t go.” Arianna Huffington