Greetings all and I trust this finds you enjoying the spring season and getting out to as many industry events as you can.
The Rancheros Unidos Foundation (Los Rancheros) held its 12th annual banquet at Leonard’s of Great Neck in Great Neck, Long Island on May 9 . More than 900 food industry guests were on hand to help raise funds for the generous cause that Rancheros was started for – to give back.
Founded in 2012, the group is comprised of independent supermarket owners tracing their roots back to the Los Ranchos, Santiago, Dominican Republic area. The locale has impoverished areas and due to the generosity of the foundation, dozens of homes have been built for families in need, roads have been poured and paved and the first public school has been opened. Utz Brands was recognized as the company of the year, and the group’s board was as well, including Augusto Taveras, Nelson Eusebio, Paul Fernandez, Sixta Bueno, Hector Bueno, Jesus Diaz, Juan Diaz Rosita, Andres Ferreira, Lizbel Diaz, Francisco Diaz, Tony Guzman, Juan Diaz Firo, Jon Ewig and George Knobloch. Great work to all involved!
We learned that Richard A. Bernstein passed away peacefully on February 25 at the age of 78. Richard was a fixture in the food industry from a variety of roles. He was the chairman of R.A.B. Food Group (which included Manischewitz, Rokeach and other consumer brands); chairman and CEO of Millbrook Distribution; chairman and CEO of Western Publishing (Little Golden Books); and held leadership posts at many other companies. He sat as a trustee on many boards including The Police Athletic Club of New York City, NYU, The Big Apple Circus and NYU’s Hospital for Joint Diseases/Orthopedic Hospital, among others. Additionally, he was a director of the IDF and ran for comptroller of the city of New York on the Republican ticket in 1981. He is survived by his wife Amelia (Fishman), daughter Jennifer A. Rothkin (Gregg), son Bradley R. and two grandchildren. The family requests any remembrances in his name be made to The Police Athletic League of New York City, White Plains Hospital or any charity/organization in the support of The State of Israel.
Congratulations to good friend Louis Biscotti on his appointment as national leader of food and beverage at CBIZ. In addition to Lou, five other areas of business at CBIZ announced leaders in capital markets, government, financial services, construction and alternative investments.
“The addition of these outstanding leaders further strengthens our ability to deliver insights that impact and tailored solutions across the industries we serve,” said Jerry Grisko, president and CEO of CBIZ. “As we continue to elevate and promote industry-specific expertise, we are better positioned than ever to serve our clients and help them navigate complex challenges.”
Lou is the managing director in the Melville, NY office and has more than 40 years of experience. His focus has been on improving clients’ growth and profitability. He has guided many food and beverage companies’ development, from small emerging entities to organizations worth hundreds of millions of dollars. He is best known for his work in manufacturing and distribution with food and beverage companies. Good luck and best wishes, Lou!
Wakefern was proud to announce that two of its leaders graduated with the 2025 class at USC Marshall School of Business’ prestigious food industry management program. Andrew Wilson, corporate counsel, and Anthony Marano, retail operations, completed the transformational program which cultivates high-potential future leaders in the food industry.
Additionally, Wakefern president Mike Stigers was named Food Industry Executive of the Year at the big event held on the left coast. The award is presented to an executive who has demonstrated extraordinary leadership and a strong commitment to education. Congrats to all three!! USC Marshall School of Business is ranked among the nation’s premier schools and internationally recognized for its emphasis on entrepreneurship and innovation, social responsibility and path-breaking research.
And we learned that Best Provision Company has been sold to Young American Food Brands dba Miami Beef Company. Best was founded in 1938 in Newark, NJ and the company was acquired by Miami Beef Company, via its financial sponsor Trivest Partners, through an LBO on April 21, 2025 for an undisclosed amount. Best is a premium producer and supplier of smoked and cooked deli meats and becomes Young American’s fourth acquisition since 2022. Those acquired companies include Hofmann Sausage, Brooklyn Burger and Devault Foods.
My heart was saddened when I heard that Michael Slattery Sr. passed away on May 2 at the age of 83. Mike became a legend in the private label industry after he founded Slattery Marketing in 1980. A lifelong resident of Caldwell, NJ. Mike was the epitome of family, faith and friends. His entire professional career was spent in the food industry. Starting as a management trainee with Wakefern, he eventually became director of the Wakefern/ShopRite grocery purchasing division. In 1980, he left Wakefern and founded Slattery Marketing where he stayed until his retirement in 2008. Although he didn’t really seem to retire, as he was always around counseling “the younger guys” as he would call them (including his son Michael Jr. who assumed the reigns of the company).
Mike was fully active in town matters serving on the town council, recreation commission, planning board and zoning board, and received the council’s Appreciation Award in 2000 for his many years of service to his community. He was a life-long parishioner of St. Aloysius Church in Caldwell, where he served on the parish finance council. Most of all, though, Mike’s love of all things Irish was evident through his personal involvement in a multitude of Irish organizations. He was a benefactor of the Irish American Culture Institute and served on its board of directors. He was a member of A.O.H. Division 9, Montclair, NJ. and the Essex Friendly Sons of the Shillelagh. In 2002, Mike had the distinct honor of being selected as grand marshal of the 67th Newark Street Patrick’s Day Parade which I was honored to have been asked to be an aide to Mike. Mike is predeceased by his wife of 54 years Kay (White) Slattery and is survived by his children Michael (Christine) of Chatham, NJ, John (Holly) of New Canaan, CT, and Julie Slattery (Philip Balsamo) of Easton, PA; brother William (Jill) of West Orange, NJ, and grandchildren John and Sadie Slattery, Michael and James Balsamo, and Caroline and Abigail Slattery. The family requests that any donations made in his memory be made to St. Baldrick’s Foundation or Covenant House. May the Lord hold him in the palm of His hand and may eternal rest and perpetual light shine upon him.
It has been very busy the last couple of months at the Totowa offices of RDD Associates as the premier perishable sales and marketing agency added 14 new lines to their portfolio! The lines include; Superb Bakehouse, maker of frozen waffles made from clean, simple, quality ingredients and free from major allergens including wheat/gluten, dairy, soy and peanuts; Crepini, makers of RTE protein pancakes, egg wraps, crepes, and filled wraps; Palmetto Gourmet Foods, producer of made-in-the-USA noodles including Chef Woo, Ramen Express and Chef Ramsay Noodles; Salt Science/Morton Pro, makers of shelf stable, salt-based safe cleaning products; Crystal Geyser Alpine Spring Water, the only major U.S. bottled water that is captured directly at authentic natural springs; Bickel’s Snack Foods, a manufacturer of salty snacks; Amylu Foods, producers of fresh chicken sausage and chicken meatballs; Fresh N Fast, makers of freshly packaged Indian food in meal trays for deli departments; Integrity Foods (Sugar Hill Brand), makers of frozen chicken products; Esposito’s Sausage, authentic New York fresh Italian sausage; Salt of The Earth Bakery, producers of artisanal baked goods; World Select Cuts, Aussie lamb charcuterie deli items; Branding Iron Holdings/Holten Meats, which produces frozen hamburger items; and Spartanburg Meat, makers of value added fresh meat Items. Whew, that’s quite a haul! Congrats to all at RDD!
Well, that’s all for now everyone. Work is well under way on the annual Market Study issues of Food Trade News and Food World. These issues are, without a doubt, the finest sources of data and research for the eastern U.S. supermarket and retail food industry.
If you would like to participate in either of these editions give me call or shoot me a note and I’ll fill you in. As always you can reach me at 201.250.2217 or kevin@foodtradenews.com.
