For most people, October represents cooler temperatures, colored leaves, and everything pumpkin spice. Well, in Philadelphia, we have all those things and one more: we are in “Rocky Season”! Fifty years ago, the Oscar-winning movie Rocky premiered in theaters. Rocky has come to represent the underdog and the power of resilience, and it has given the City of Philadelphia an identity it never knew it needed. Philadelphia is hosting a citywide celebration of the movie’s 50th anniversary that runs from September 29 through December 3, according to the Philadelphia Visitor Center. Many events will take place, beginning with the publication of Sylvester Stallone’s memoir, The Steps, and ending on the actual anniversary of Rocky’s 1976 national release – which is also the date officially designated Rocky Day in Philadelphia. The movie I Play Rocky will premiere nationally on November 20, and the annual Rocky Run, benefiting the Special Olympics, takes place on November 14. In between, many other fun Rocky-themed events are planned. A visit to the Rocky Statue at the top of the Art Museum steps is a must. For more information, go to: https://www.phlvisitorcenter.com/rockyseason. Yo, Rocky! We love you big!
Just before press time, Redner’s opened a new location in Wilmington, DE. This is the first Redner’s location to feature its “Fresh Market 2.0” concept centered on enhanced convenience and customer experience. “We’re thrilled to welcome the Wilmington community to our newest location and unveil our enhanced Fresh Market concept,” said Ryan Redner, president and CEO. “A better shopping experience with fresh foods and in-store eateries, combined with the convenience and savings in the Redner’s mobile, all add up to making life more rewarding for our customers both inside our stores and beyond.” The doors to its new Wilmington location opened officially on October 8 at 8 a.m. following a Dick Redner influenced punctual ribbon-cutting ceremony at 7:55 a.m. with Redner’s leadership, associates and local officials. Throughout the opening celebration, customers will have the opportunity to explore the store’s new Fresh Market offerings, enjoy specialty food experiences, and learn more about the Redner’s mobile app through the Appiness Tour, which will continue at the Wilmington location for multiple days following the grand opening. As part of Redner’s commitment to supporting the communities it serves, the ribbon cutting celebration also included a check presentation to representatives of Table of Plenty, a local organization helping address food insecurity in the community.
Ahead of the public grand opening, Redner’s hosted an invitation-only preview night on October 7 from 4–5 p.m. for community leaders, partners, and invited guests. Following the preview, the community was invited from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. to walk the new store and sample the diverse prepared food offerings created by Chef Tim Twiford, Redner’s executive chef and director of food service. Food Trade News was in attendance to witness this exciting preview. People were lined up down the entire shopping center sidewalk waiting for their turn to check out the new store. Once inside, they were clearly enamored with the new concept and tasted the many samples served by the Redner’s team.
“This is such an exciting next step for Redner’s as we continue to bring new innovations to new markets,” said Gary M. Redner, COO. “Building on the success of our recent app update, we’re giving shoppers new ways to enjoy everything Redner’s has to offer.” The 52,000-square-foot store, located on Kirkwood Highway in the space formerly occupied by Acme Markets, includes dedicated in-store eateries and islands offering several different products and dishes. It is truly an amusement park for food, including these “stands”: Carnival Crush, which offers nostalgic fair treats like popcorn, cotton candy, corn dogs, and funnel cakes; Earl’s Smashburgers, offering burgers, fries, shakes, and soft-serve with a dedicated eat-in “diner”; Big Gary’s Famous Chicken, which features bone-in fried chicken, wings, and strips meals and readymade to-go options; Fisher’s Pier, which offers bread bowls of clam chowder or shrimp gumbo as well as lobster rolls, crab cakes, and shrimp po’boys; and Marybakes, which features signature store-made cookies and artisan breads fresh from the oven, party cakes, and freshly made, hot donuts. Additionally, the store will include retail islands offering artisanal cheeses with store-made fresh mozzarella, deli and prepared foods, meat and frozen foods, organic and gluten-free products, and more. Photos from the event are on page 32. Congratulations on your exciting new concept in your 45th store!
On October 6, Pennsylvania Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding announced the 2027 Pennsylvania Farm Show theme, “Leading A Legacy,” at Winterside Farm in Lenhartsville. For over five decades, the Bowman family has bred and raised sheep on their Berks County farm and has competed at the Pennsylvania Farm Show for the past 38 years. Like the Bowmans, generations of farm families embody the 2027 Pennsylvania State Fair™ theme, proudly producing excellence and leading Pennsylvania and our nation into a better tomorrow.
“Pennsylvania has never been afraid to lead,” said Secretary Redding. “From leading the nation in preserved farms to launching the nation’s first Agricultural Innovation program and state-level Farm Bill, leadership is about what we pass on to the next generation. The sum of the land we steward, the knowledge we share, the values we teach, and the communities we strengthen through tradition and progress — our legacy is a measure of our leadership.
“The 2027 theme describes the Farm Show stages and show rings, where Pennsylvania’s heritage of excellence is carried forward by youth, innovators, beginning farmers, and anyone who sees their future in this industry. The Shapiro Administration is proud to support Pennsylvania agriculture and the innovative, tenacious Pennsylvanians who are growing a vibrant tomorrow for our Commonwealth and our nation,” he continued.
Every year, the PA Farm Show brings half a million visitors to the capital city for eight days of competition and family fun with an educational twist. The 2027 Farm Show runs from Saturday, January 9 through Saturday, January 16 at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex and Expo Center in Harrisburg. Featured fan-favorites like the PA Dairymen’s Association Milkshakes (the best anywhere); 1,000-pound butter sculpture; delicious Farm Show Food Court; thousands of competitive agricultural events; homegrown celebrity cooking demonstrations at the PA Preferred® Culinary Connection stage; and more than one million square feet of hands-on agriculture education opportunities offer chances to engage with the people who are leading Pennsylvania’s powerhouse agriculture industry into the future. Agriculture is critical to Pennsylvania’s economy with more than 48,800 farms supporting 600,000 jobs and contributing $132.5 billion annually. Governor Josh Shapiro’s 10-year Economic Development Strategy places agriculture at the forefront, recognizing that a thriving agricultural industry is key to powering the Commonwealth’s economic growth. To stay up to date on PA Farm Show news, visit farmshow.pa.gov.
The annual Grocery Industry Directory (GID) is in production and heading for December printing. This is the 30th year we are producing this still popular food industry reference tool. If you want to advertise, hit me up and if you want your own copy, let me know and we’ll get one to you.
The circle of life continues as we report the death of Robert “Bob” Neslund, who passed away on September 22 in San Antonio, Texas at the age of 86. He met his wife, Marlene at Lewis University in 1959 and got married in 1965, beginning a partnership of more than 61 years. Bob had two great passions: sports and the retail food industry, where his career took him across the globe. After earning his MBA from Michigan State University in 1963 and serving in the Marine Corps Reserve, Bob went on to a distinguished career with executive leadership positions at Jewel Food Stores, Acme Markets, H-E-B, Davids LTD in Sydney, Australia, and serving as COO of Dairy Farm International in Hong Kong. Most of us remember him from his years as president of Acme Markets, which began in September 1987. He replaced Dennis Eck, who had relinquished his position as president of Acme to become president of Alpha Beta Stores, Inc., the western subsidiary of American Stores Company. In October 1990, Bob was honored by the Greater Philadelphia Food Bank for his local contribution to help the hungry; the food bank cited his service on its advisory council and contributions of time and expertise to the anti-hunger effort. (In 1989, Acme had donated more than $3.2 million to Philadelphia and Delaware Valley food banks to feed the poor and homeless.) Bob left the food industry in 2002, but he continued to share his experience for more than a decade as an international consultant and member of industry boards. He took real joy in the people he met at work and mentored along the way. Bob is survived by his wife, Marlene; his children, Scott (the late Todd Barnhart), Jeffrey Neslund (Beth), Heather Colvin (Mason), Jonathan Neslund (Melissa); and six grandchildren. The family asks that donations be made to the San Antonio Food Bank in Bob’s memory. Rest in peace.
Taking another trip around the sun this crisp month of October are Chad Vilotti, Liscio’s Bakery; Jon Shafer, Cento Foods; Ray Nemeth, Snyder’s/Lance; Justine Giordano, Vincent Giordano Company; and Nina Weiland, FTN alumna. Buon compleanno a tutti!
Quote of the month: “Nothing can dim the light which shines from within.” ―Maya Angelou
Maria can be reached at 443-631-0172 or maria@foodtradenews.com.