This year, for the first time in a long time, it rained, but not enough to stop the golfers at the MAFTO annual golf outing, held once again at Commonwealth National Golf Club in Horsham, PA. The event was a sellout with over 132 golfers braving the elements to officially open the 2025 food industry golf season. Committee chair Ron Benjamin, Affinity Group, and the rest of his committee did an outstanding job from food to prizes. It was an awesome kickoff to what should be a good season. See you all on the links in the coming months!
The Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association (PFMA) held its 2025 annual conference this week at the historic Omni Bedford Springs Resort and Spa, bringing together leaders from across the food and beverage industry for two days of valuable networking, engaging education sessions, and special recognition. The event opened with a dedicated wholesaler meeting, providing a focused platform for critical industry discussions and collaboration. Attendees also explored the latest products and services during the mini tradeshow, where vendors showcased innovative solutions designed to support and grow Pennsylvania’s food and beverage businesses. One of the highlights during the dinner was the presentation of the newly renamed Lisa Dell’Alba Food Industry Trailblazer Award to Tom Charley, co-owner of Charley Family Shop ’N Save. The Charley family operates three stores in Western Pennsylvania. The award was recently renamed in honor of PFMA’s former chairwoman, Lisa Dell’Alba, who passed away earlier this year. Tom was honored for his commitment to the food and beverage industry and his steadfast leadership as a PFMA Board Member. The evening celebration featured a special message from First Lady of Pennsylvania Lori Shapiro, who praised the food and beverage industry’s vital role in supporting Pennsylvania communities and driving economic growth.
The next morning included two standout educational sessions. The first, “Supporting a Neurodivergent Workforce,” offered expert insights on creating more inclusive workplaces. Moderated by PFMA vice president Mike Howells, the panelists included David Simonetti, Wawa; Leslie Long, Popcorn for the People; Dianne Malley, AJ Drexel Autism Institute; and Dana Barone, PA Department of Labor and Industry. Popcorn for the People was established to create career opportunities for the disabled community. Please purchase this popcorn which is made in small batches by a skilled team in Philadelphia. Your purchase will directly create employment for autistic adults. And it is delicious!
The second session, “From Response to Recovery: Crisis Communication & Coordination,” featured panelists who shared practical strategies for business resilience and disaster preparedness. I moderated this well-versed panel which included Jeff Maybray, Northeast Shared Services; Christine Heyser, PA Department of Human Services; Katie Murphy, C&S Wholesale Grocers; and Molly Dougherty, Pennsylvania Emergency Agency. This event coincided with the three-year anniversary of the mass shooting at the Tops Market in Buffalo, NY. Maybray was a part of the response team at that time and his recollections and suggestions were ever so important and helpful. If your company doesn’t already have an emergency plan in place, I recommend you reach out to the government agencies for help. They can guide you through the process of creating a plan.
“The PFMA Annual Conference continues to be the premier event for our members to make meaningful connections, share ideas, and celebrate the incredible work happening across our industry,” said Alex Baloga, PFMA president and CEO. “We’re proud to bring our members together for these important conversations and to honor leaders like Tom Charley, whose dedication has made a lasting impact on Pennsylvania’s food and beverage industry.” With strong attendance and active engagement throughout, the 2025 conference reinforced PFMA’s mission to support and advocate for the state’s food and beverage industry. PFMA’s next major event, the 2025 Fall Legislative Conference, will take place October 7–8, at the Hershey Country Club. In addition, the 2026 Annual Conference will return to the Omni Bedford Springs Resort and Spa, May 12 and 13. For more information about PFMA and upcoming events, visit pfma.org.
Zallie Family Markets feted their long-term employees, retirees and Hall of Fame inductees May 15 at the Trump National Golf Club Philadelphia. Emceed by David Zallie, Anthony Massoni, Giuliana Zallie and Anika Parker, the following were recognized for their years of service: 25 years – Robert Simon, Michael Poponi, Patricia Mortillite, Thomas Walker, Kristen Spina, Lynn Lovern, Lisa Martell, Lisa Tranchina, Ellen Hernisey, Linda Micaletti, Michele Lanzelotte, Eric Duncan, Tanaya Holmes and Deanna Sears. 30 years of service: Kevin Sobieski, Vincent Squillacioti, Ramona Wilson, Ellen Henry, Norman Griffith, Leona Warn, Kellie Lavender, Lisa Clark, Robert Girgenti, Vicki Pelack, Linda McCarty and Michele Roane; 35 years of service – Patrick Geisler, Jill Hornick, Rose Laconte, Tima Fitzgerald, Grace Cox, Linda Clementi, Marjorie Ible, Mark Pringle, Gregory Stephani, Tamara Camarote and Margaret Amos; 40 years of service – Cheryl Grant, Kevin York and Michelle DiBartolomeo; 45 years of service – Martin Nowicki; and finally 50 years of service – Nate Johnson, who was also inducted into the Hall of Fame. Retirees with more than 25 years of service were also recognized at the celebration: Ann Kice, Michael Protasi, Colette Turner and Eileen Wigginton. Congratulations to all on this well-deserved recognition!
The National Frozen & Refrigerated Foods Association (NFRA) opened registration for this year’s highly anticipated NFRA Convention, taking place at the Orlando World Center Marriott October 18-21. As the premier business event for the frozen and refrigerated foods industry, more than 1,700 anticipated attendees will conduct more than 6,500 business meetings over the course of three days. Sunday evening’s Taste of Excellence reception will spotlight more than 50 exhibiting brands and manufacturers sharing the latest in their product innovation. Café NFRA, open Sunday through Tuesday, will offer refreshments and informal meeting space, including a spotlight on NFRA’s 2025 Penguin Pitch grand prize winner. The inaugural class of NFRA’s First Penguin Next Generation Leadership Program will present strategic solutions to some of the industry’s most critical challenges. These rising leaders will unveil fresh insights and actionable ideas to drive progress in areas such as household penetration, supply chain resilience, and retail innovation. Andrew Zimmern, TV personality, chef and writer and an Emmy and four-time James Beard Award-winning personality is best known for Bizarre Foods, The Zimmern List, and Family Dinner. His powerful storytelling and passion for global cuisine will provide an inspiring keynote centered around cultural understanding and the transformative power of food. At Monday’s luncheon, NFRA will induct this year’s honoree(s) into the Refrigerated Food Hall of Fame, celebrating individuals who have made lasting contributions to the refrigerated foods industry. At the conference’s closing luncheon, the year’s most innovative and impactful marketing and merchandising campaigns with NFRA’s Golden Penguin Awards, honoring excellence in promoting frozen and refrigerated foods will be recognized. Click here to register.
Saint Joseph’s University (SJU) Department of Food Marketing will hold its 18th annual Food Industry Summit on June 3 on the SJU campus. The theme is Feeding the Future: Balancing Health, Convenience, Cost and Sustainability Needs. This all day summit will be followed by the first Food as Medicine Conference on June 4, also on the SJU campus. Some of the topics at the conference will cover: Food as Medicine in Oncology; The Gut-Mind Connection and How Food Fuels your Mood; and Pediatric Obesity. Click here to register.
Taking another trip around the sun this flowering month are: Bill Hinderer, National Food Sales; Bob Kilpatrick, Wise Snacks; Rita Neczypor and JM Procacci, Procacci Brothers and Beth Pripstein, FW/FTN alumna. Buon compleanno a tutti!
Quote of the month: “A party without cake is just a meeting.” Ju