Bring on those lazy hazy crazy days of summer under the boardwalk; then we’re on our way to Cape May so we don’t have to spend the summer in the city and we’ll see you in September! Summer music certainly lingers for years and brings back memories no matter what generation we are from. This summer has been extremely hot with three heatwaves already. There’s not much relief in sight, so stay hydrated (especially when on the golf course) and remember these days when there is a foot of snow on the ground next winter!
During the dog days of summer, it’s the best time to think about things that keep us cool. To that point, The National Frozen & Refrigerated Foods Association (NFRA) has opened registration for this year’s highly anticipated NFRA Convention, taking place at the Gaylord National Harbor in National Harbor, MD, October 5-8. As the premier business event for the frozen and refrigerated foods industry, more than 1,500 anticipated attendees will conduct more than 5,000 business meetings over the course of three days, efficiently maximizing time spent at the convention. From business meetings with retailers to the special events and awards throughout the convention, special guests and a new venue, The Gaylord National Harbor, just minutes from our nation’s capital, this year’s event is a must. Attendance is setting records from what we hear, so for more information or to register, visit NFRAConvention.org.
The Specialty Food Association’s (SFA) 68th Summer Fancy Food Show, was held on June 23-25 at the Javits Center in New York City. More than 29,000 specialty food and beverage industry professionals, including industry affiliates, influencers, investors, and trendspotters gathered to find the newest and best specialty products for their businesses. Exhibitors from 56 international countries across dozens of specialty food and beverage categories exhibited at the show. Also showing their wares were over 2,400 domestic companies. Specialty food sales across retail, foodservice, and ecommerce grew 6.5 percent to a whopping $206.8 billion in 2023, according to the findings of SFA’s 2024-25 State of the Specialty Food Industry research, presented for the first time at a standing-room-only session on Sunday at the Show. The show was divided up into districts, such as the Debut District, a featured area that hosted more than 150 booths for first-time exhibitors, new products, startups, and incubators, 29 International Pavilions representing Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, Oceana, and South America, including the Show’s partner country, Spain, where live cooking demonstrations and educational sessions delighted audiences.
The show is no longer just a showcase for mustards, chocolate covered potato chips and specialty dry goods. I found a few products I thought were worth mentioning. Vitabella, an Italian company (which automatically means it’s non-GMO) that produces gluten free, organic cereals was my top pick from the show. They call it “the Italian Way of Eating for Good Health.” And they mean it. The products were tasty, authentic and not sugary. The company was started over 150 years ago with corn and polenta, a traditional food of the Bergamo area, in northern Italy. They are committed to providing the best products following the latest nutritional guidelines, production chain management processes, traceability of their ingredients and safety during storage and production. As far as sustainability is concerned, Vita Bella’s aim is to have a zero-impact activity: they self-produce energy and they are increasingly committed to reducing the plastic in their packaging by making it 100 percent recyclable in FSC certified paper and using 100 percent recycled cardboard boxes. It’s a dream product line available online and in the more health-conscious supermarkets. While not new, Bonne Maman, the premier jam company has introduced pie fillings to their product line. Offered in cherry, apple and blueberry, they say they have simple goodness brought to baking. In addition, Bonne Maman is expanding their Tropical Flavors line to include guava preserves. I tasted everything…still the best there is! Another snack/ breakfast food was from Vermont called Back Roads Granola. These glyphosate-free products actually taste clean. Also gluten free and non-GMO certified, they use only Vermont maple syrup to sweeten their products. The company is family/ women owned. You can taste the care that goes into producing their products. My last product pick is simply for its beauty, although the product is also very good. Cento has come up with new packaging for their holiday Panettone placed in a beautifully papered box with a coordinating bow. The boxes are gorgeous and make the perfect holiday gift. It should be everyone’s go-to hostess gift this Christmas! Enjoy!
At the end of the show, exhibitors worked with 125 City Harvest volunteers to rescue 78,315 pounds of specialty products that were then donated to New Yorkers living with food insecurity. SFA and City Harvest have partnered on the Summer Fancy Food Show food recovery program since 1997, with Summer Fancy Food Show exhibitors having donated more than 2.1 million pounds of food to City Harvest during the partnership.
When you think there’s no food products left to discover, head to either the Winter or Summer Fancy Food Show. You will be glad you did. The 2025 Winter Fancy Food Show is January 19-21 in Las Vegas, and the 2025 Summer Fancy Food Show is June 29-July 1, in New York City.
The Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association (PFMA) has announced that 28 students are the recipients of the 2024 Thomas R. and Laura Ridge Scholarship. Each student will receive a one-year, $2,500 scholarship for the 2024-25 academic year, totaling $70,000. “Congratulations to these outstanding students on this well-deserved recognition,” said Alex Baloga, president and CEO of PFMA. “This investment in their education not only recognizes their hard work and dedication but also underscores our commitment to supporting the leaders of tomorrow. We believe in their potential to make a significant impact and are proud to be part of their academic journey.” Recipients are chosen by a panel of judges who review each applicant’s academic record, school, and community involvement, recommendations, and a submitted essay. Current employees, their children, and the children of company owners who are PFMA members are eligible to apply for the scholarship. Named for the parents of former Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge, the Ridge Scholarship honors Thomas R. Ridge, a member of the food industry for 25 years, and his wife Laura, a great advocate of education for Tom Ridge, his brother David and sister Vikki. PFMA has awarded over $1.3 million to nearly 654 students since introducing the scholarship in 1995. Scholarship funds come from PFMA’s Education Trust and sponsoring PFMA members The Giant Company, Karns Foods, Rutter’s, Sheetz, and Wawa. Congratulations!
The nation’s only fully enclosed and fully refrigerated wholesale produce marketplace has space available for lease. Opened in 2011, the 700,000 square foot facility boasts a bright shopping concourse that draws people from around the globe to marvel at a wholesale produce market that hits all the marks: easy loading and unloading, cold chain protection, temperature control, safety, security, and innovative waste management. Philadelphia has been a thriving produce scene since colonial days. Originally situated on Dock Street along the Delaware River, local fruit and vegetable merchants took advantage of their proximity to nearby farms, a densely populated area, and easy access in and out of the city. Being only minutes from both I-95 and I-76 gives direct access to customers across the Mid-Atlantic region. With access to highways, railways, Philadelphia International Airport, and Philaport, the PWPM is an integral part of the world’s supply chain for fresh fruits and vegetables. The 17 wholesalers who make up PWPM have long-established relationships with growers and customers worldwide and the state-of-the-art facility is an established industry leader in conducting business with ease, safety, cleanliness, and ensuring product longevity. The units and their accompanying shares will be offered via on-line auction on September 16, 2024. To participate, interested parties must submit their information and documentation through the PWPM’s website. Bidders will be pre-qualified by the board of the PWPM to participate in the auction. If you’re interested in taking advantage of the market’s ability to grow your business and becoming part of a long-standing, successful business model, visit https://phillyfreshproduce.com/auction/ for more information and bidder application.
Taking a walk into the sunset after 16 years of dedicated service at Mrs. T’s Pierogies, Ken Novak is retiring from his role as national sales manager West and Mid-West. Ken has played a pivotal role in the success of Mrs. T’s Pierogies, and his expertise and leadership has left a lasting impression on the sales team. Mrs. T’s extends heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to Ken as he embarks on this new and exciting chapter of his life. Happy Trails, Ken!
The circle of life continues as we send our sincerest condolences to the family of William (Bill) Sumas, chairman of Village Supermarkets. In the little bit of time I spent with him over the years, I found him to be the consummate gentleman, a good story teller with a dry sense of humor. Linda Doherty, president of the New Jersey Food Council (NJFC), remembered her friend and mentor in a letter to the members of the NJFC: “Bill was a longtime NJFC Board member who is the longest serving NJFC Chair for almost 8 years (2000-2007) and an influential voice as part of our executive committee for 2 decades. Bill is a NJ food industry legend and so well respected in political and policy circles. I am forever grateful for his support and confidence in NJFC and our leadership.” He will be missed. May his memory be a blessing.
Rounding out the 2024 baby boom, we welcome Joseph James Pace IV, son of Courtney and Joe Pace III, Pace Target, who arrived on June 22. Baby Joe IV is also the grandson of Pace Target’s Joe Pace Jr. His big sister, Lulu can’t wait to take care of her baby brother. Congratulations to the whole family!
Do you have FOMO because you haven’t seen the Food Trade News 2024 Annual Market Study? No worries, the Market Study is available throughout the year on our website. Speaking of our website, we recently refreshed and relaunched foodtradenews.com to bring you all the news you know you need quickly and with easier navigation. For breaking news and other important information, please go to the website and sign up!
Celebrating another trip around the summertime July sun are: Mike Rothwell, Pennington Market; Joe Fantozzi, Allegiance Retail Services; Jim McCaffrey III, McCaffrey’s Markets; Ron S. Murphy, Murphy’s Fresh Markets who is celebrating a special milestone birthday; Maurice Christino, Cento Foods; Wayne Couts, Advantage Solutions; Steve Bushinski, Utz; Joe Bivona, SJU AFM; Dr. Joe D’Angelo, SJU and special wishes to my son, Gino Marfuggi! As we celebrate the 248th birthday of our great nation this month, take a minute to remember the values and freedoms we celebrate today. Buon compleanno a tutti!
Quote of the month: “Deep summer is when laziness finds respectability.” Sam Keen
