As we bid arrivederci to 2024, the economy and our industry are still in quite a bit of flux, but let’s deal with it in January…and for now, enjoy some spirited eggnog and toast the upcoming quarter century year ahead!
Heralding in the holidays, The Mid Atlantic Food Trade Organization (MAFTO) held its annual Christmas for All Kids Holiday party with funny money gambling, great prizes and a delicious dinner at the Springfield Country Club in Delaware County on December 6. Photos are on page 32. Over 140 guests from all facets of the retail food industry brought unwrapped new toys to give to charities that make sure children have toys at Christmas time. A new charity was added to those who usually get toy donations in the Tri-State region. The Sassy Massey Smiles Foundation came to collect toys with their treasurer, Dan Emmerson, speaking to the audience about what they do. This is an amazing story about generosity and giving back. A little girl named Jillian, aged 5, full of energy and spunk, was diagnosed in 2015 with disseminated high-risk medulloblastoma, an aggressive brain and spine cancer and began treatment right away at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). She was inpatient at CHOP for over six months, referring to it as Hotel CHOP due to all the fun, toys, and playroom resources she had access to. She endured brain surgery, high doses of chemotherapy, stem cell transplants, spending 272 days inpatient at CHOP, never once complaining. In May 2017, her MRI revealed additional spread of the disease, and she passed away in December of that year. That’s not the end of the story. This little “Sassy Massey” wanted to be sure her friends at CHOP had Christmas presents, so she and her family started a toy drive in December 2016 and Jillian personally delivered more than 3,000 toys that had been donated from friends, families and strangers through an Amazon wish list. In 2017, that number grew to 24,000 toys. Fast forward to present day and they now have a warehouse full of toys that are distributed throughout the year to sick children during their hospital visits. It’s inspiring to know that a little girl with a big smile could leave behind a legacy like this at just five years old. To Ron Benjamin, Affinity Sales, who found this worthy charity and his committee, congratulations on a job well done! It was a memorable evening.
Toys aren’t the only items needed to give to children who may not otherwise have a present, food is also needed to help families in need enjoy a holiday meal together. To that end, The Giant Company (TGC) focused its giving efforts this season on hunger relief, announcing donations of $160,000 and 3,000 hams to organizations addressing food insecurity in their local communities. “In celebration of Giving Tuesday, The Giant Company is launching our season of giving efforts, which are centered around ongoing hunger relief in our local communities,” said Jennifer Scott, vice president of human resources, The Giant Company. “While food banks, food pantries, and Salvation Army locations are focused on the fight against hunger year-round, the need is most felt this time of the year. No family should have to go without a holiday meal.”
TGC donated $100,000 to the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank in support of its hunger relief efforts. This gift will help the food bank provide 400,000 fresh, healthy nutritious meals to those experiencing hunger in its 27-county service region in Pennsylvania. The food bank is now providing food assistance to over 250,000 individuals each month. This includes individuals, families, active duty and veterans via its MilitaryShare program, seniors via its ElderShare program, and youth via its in-school, after-school and summer programs. “On this Giving Tuesday, a national day dedicated to generosity, we are deeply grateful to The Giant Company for their extraordinary gift of $100,000 and 500 hams. This generous donation will provide much-needed support to our neighbors facing hunger across the 27 counties we serve,” Joe Arthur, CEO, Central Pennsylvania Food Bank. “As we reflect on the spirit of giving, this partnership reminds us that together, we can make a lasting impact and bring hope to those in need.”
Additionally, The Giant Company is supporting The Salvation Army’s holiday hunger relief programs by donating $5,000 to 12 Salvation Army locations for a total donation of $60,000. Recipient Salvation Army locations in Pennsylvania include: Boyertown, Carlisle, Chambersburg, East Stroudsburg, Harrisburg, Lancaster, Lebanon, Levittown, Norristown, Philadelphia, and Sunbury. Lastly, to ensure families have a holiday staple at their table, TGC is contributing 3,000 hams to 15 food banks and pantries across its operating area this month. Thank you for your generosity, TGC!
It’s that time of year…well, in 2025 at least. The 109th Pennsylvania Farm Show is about to begin. The 2025 theme, Powering Pennsylvania, will shine a spotlight on the innovative people and diverse array of top-quality products driving Pennsylvania’s $132.5 billion agriculture industry and making us a national and world leader. The event is actually called Pennsylvania’s State Fair. It’s the nation’s largest indoor agricultural exposition spanning one million square feet, with nearly 6,000 animals, 12,000-plus competitive exhibits, and nearly 250 commercial exhibits. Among them are top competitors from 108 local and county fairs and hundreds of stand-alone competitions and educational and entertaining demonstrations to power your life, your imagination, and your future. The show runs from January 4-11 at the PA Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg. Admission is free. Parking in the Farm Show Complex lots is $15 per vehicle. Don’t forget to take in the 1,000 lb. butter sculpture and drink the most decadent milk shake (the signature flavor for 2025 is Mint) from the Pennsylvania Dairymen’s Association, whose milkshakes have been a staple at the Farm Show since 1953.
Celebrating another trip around the sun this merry month of December are: Paul McGurkin, CA Ferolie; Sue Rorke-Lawler, Acme Markets; Alex Baloga, PFMA; and Linda Naddeo, HP Hood. Buon compleanno a tutti!
Happy Christmakwanzahanukkah from all of us at Food Trade News! As we look forward to 2025, may the giving spirit of the holidays remain with you throughout the year. Wishing our readers peace, prosperity and good health! Buone feste!
Quote of the month: “Year’s end is neither an end nor a beginning but a going on, with all the wisdom that experience can instill in us.” Hal Borland
Maria can be reached at maria@foodtradenews.com or 443.631.0172.
