We’re finally thawing out after a few weeks of unprecedented snow and below normal temperatures. But fear not, Spring Training is well underway and by the time you all read this, the Phillies will have begun their quest to win the 2026 World Series. I can already smell the dogs and beers.
Keeping with the upcoming the USA’s 250th anniversary, America250PA accepted submissions from Pennsylvania artists for the ‘Bells Across PA’ art series to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States. The selected local artists executed their designs on fiberglass bell sculptures. These fiberglass bells were sponsored by businesses or individuals. The goal was to place at least one bell in each of the 67 counties across Pennsylvania. The bells were in place by December 31, 2025 and will remain on display through December 31, 2026. Of course, our amazing retailers sponsored “Bells” in Bucks, Delaware, and Northampton counties. Participating stores were sponsored by Wakefern / ShopRite and their respective member owners. ShopRite of Yardley, ShopRite of Bethlehem and Burns Family Neighborhood Markets, ShopRite of Drexeline will have their “Bells” on display all year long. Stop by for a look!
The cat’s out of the bag! McCaffrey’s Food Markets has announced plans to open a new full-size McCaffrey’s Market in Doylestown, PA, with the grand opening anticipated in early 2027. The new store will be located on the site currently occupied by Weis Markets and will encompass approximately 51,000 square feet, nearly four times the size of McCaffrey’s existing Simply Fresh location in Doylestown Borough. As part of the transition, Simply Fresh by McCaffrey’s on State Street will remain open and continue serving customers until the new market is ready to open. “As we look ahead, we recognize that many of our customers will miss the convenience and familiarity of our State Street location,” said James J. McCaffrey IV, executive vice president of McCaffrey’s. “We are incredibly grateful for the support the Doylestown community has shown us over the past 10 years. That loyalty is what has made this next chapter possible. While we are sad to be leaving the Borough, but the expanded space allows us to better serve our customers with a full-size market experience, and we remain fully committed to Doylestown for many years to come.” I hear there’s going to be a food court as well. Additional details including construction timelines, hiring opportunities, and the official grand opening date will be announced as plans progress and shared through McCaffrey’s website and social media channels. In other McCaffrey’s news, they recently launched McCaffrey’s Express, a new online shopping service. This service is now available at all store locations with the same prices as in-store. Orders are shopped by McCaffrey’s experienced associates and can easily be changed by text. McCaffrey’s Express shoppers will earn rewards, and those rewards can also be used on orders. Digital coupons are accepted, and McCaffrey’s is offering both pickup and delivery.
The New Jersey Food Council (NJFC) held their annual membership meeting on January 28 at Forsgate Country Club. Photos are on page 22. At this meeting, the new slate of officers and the board of directors were sworn in and the group celebrated a record number of new members, sponsors and engagement in 2025.
“I am always inspired by the way our board of directors and membership meet challenges and advance our mission under the leadership of board chair Jason Read of Wawa and board vice chair Mike Styer of Acme,” said NJFC president and CEO Linda Doherty. “As we begin the new year, I am highly optimistic about the future, with new faces on our officer team and a board strengthened by new voices.” Jason Read said, “As the board continues to have the confidence in Mike Styer and me, I am encouraged by the continued depth of this organization. The election of new officers to join us and leaders to the board of directors brings fresh perspectives and renewed energy that will help guide NJFC in the year ahead.” Sworn in to serve a one-year term were: Jason Read, Wawa, chairman; Mike Styer, Acme/Kings, vice chairman; Gary Capozzi, Pepsi Beverages Company, associate vice chairman; Ron H. Murphy, Murphy’s Fresh Markets, treasurer; Perry Blatt, Village Supermarkets, secretary; and Linda Doherty, New Jersey Food Council, president and CEO. Mike Rothwell of Pennington Quality Market was also recognized as he is moving on from treasurer and finance committee chair after nearly two decades of service. However, he will remain on the NJFC board. To honor his service, the NJFC is establishing the Michael Rothwell PQM Scholarship, a $5,000 annual scholarship that reflects his dedication to leadership, service and investing in the next generation. Well deserved, Mike!
Registration is open for the 2026 NJFC Trade Relations Conference, which will be held at the Caesars Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City, NJ on April 14. It will be followed by the Trade Relations Golf Outing on April 15. The conference will feature the presentation of the Jimmy Ostling Trade Relations Award to Ken Scher of Associated Supermarket Group. In addition, Sean Thompson, president of Albertsons MidAtlantic will speak at the event. Also, on the list of upcoming events, the 2026 Night of Distinction will be held on Wednesday, May 20 at the Palace at Somerset Park in Somerset, NJ. The honorees are industry leaders: Jim Dorey, president and COO of Inserra Supermarkets; Ron Murphy Sr., president of Murphy’s Fresh Markets; Colleen Wegman, president and CEO of Wegmans Food Markets; and Anthony Calandra, co-owner of Calandra’s Enterprises. The event is truly one of the best of the year. To register, go to njfoodcouncil.com
The SJU Department of Food Marketing will hold its 19th Annual Food Industry Summit April 17 at Mandeville Hall on the SJU campus. The theme for this summit is “The New Rules of Food Marketing: Personalization, Precision and Performance.” Speakers/presenters include: the analytics team at CA Ferolie; Emilio Mignucci, Wakefern; Galen Karlen-Mason, GreenChoice; Eric Skae, CEO Carbone Fine Foods; Brian Huff, CEO Nissin Foods; Julie Lyle, president TCC Global; Judy Spires, ex Kings/Albertsons; and Victoria Lozano, ex-CMO Crayola. More participants will be announced as the event gets closer. According to the SJU website, “The summit is designed for networking and conversations among attendees and provides a forum for idea sharing and thought-provoking discussions.” The summit is an all-day event and includes breakfast and lunch with plenty of time to network. To register, go to sju.edu/departments/food-pharma-healthcare/food-industry-summit.
It’s going to be a busy Spring, and the Food Trade News Trade Calendar can help schedule extracurricular trade activities, including golf outings. Check us out at foodtradenews.com/calendar.
Summer is approaching and that means many children will go without the meals they get during the school year. New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Edward D. Wengryn recently encouraged organizations to help provide nutritious meals to children in low-income areas during the summer months through the department’s Summer Food Service Program. This program began in 1976 as an outgrowth of the National School Lunch Program. The Summer Food Service Program is designed to reach those aged 18 or younger in economically disadvantaged areas. It also is open to people over 18 who are mentally or physically handicapped and who participate in public or nonprofit private programs established for the disabled. The federally funded program reimburses participating organizations for meals served to children who live in areas in which at least 50 percent of the children qualify for free or reduced-price meals under the National School Lunch Program. Applicants may include public or private nonprofit school food authorities, units of local, municipal, county or state governments, public or private nonprofit organizations, residential summer camps or national youth sports programs. Organizations approved to sponsor the Summer Food Service Program are responsible for managing the feeding sites that provide the meals to young children. Most participating organizations may be reimbursed for up to two meals a day. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks. Meals may also be reimbursed for nights and weekends. Those serving primarily migrant children may be reimbursed for up to three meals a day. Residential camps may serve up to three meals a day but are reimbursed only for meals served to children eligible for free or reduced-price meals under the National School Lunch Program. In School Year 2025, 17 school food authorities with a total of 29 sites participated in the National School Lunch Program’s Seamless Summer Option to provide 47,080 free lunches and 30,551 free breakfasts to children 18 and under. In all of 2025, 178 sponsors participated in the Summer Food Service Program serving 4,469,314 nutritious meals which included breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks. The Division of Food and Nutrition also administers The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), which distributes federally donated commodities to six emergency feeding organizations statewide. These federally donated foods are distributed to more than 850 soup kitchens, food pantries and public feeding sites serving the state’s neediest citizens. For more information on the Summer Food Service Program, call (609) 292-4498. The deadline for submission of new applications is March 18, 2026.
Celebrating another trip around the sun this freezing cold month of February are: Dennis Hickey, Krasdale; Guy Giordano, Vincent Giordano Corp.; Sandra Sage, Clemens Food Group; Emilio Mignucci, Wakefern; Evan Ehlers, Sharing Excess; Neil Brassell, NEB Consulting, LLC; Bill Schlosky, Utz Snacks; my colleague here at Food Trade News, Kevin Gallagher; and special birthday wishes to my daughter, Rosalie Marfuggi, Gellert Global Group. In addition, we send a shopping cart of best wishes to JOH as they celebrate 70 years of partnership, growth, and service to clients and customers across the food industry. Buon compleanno a tutti!
Quote of the month: “What good is the warmth of summer, without the cold of winter to give it sweetness.” John Steinbeck
Maria can be reached at 443.631.0172 or [email protected].
