A Special Tribute Given to the Late Bill Sumas of Village ShopRite
It was certainly appropriate that exactly 50 lawmakers and other prominent guests were on hand to mark the 50th annual “Good Government” Breakfast on October 1. It was another great opportunity for the state’s key decision makers and prominent food industry leaders to discuss pressing issues as they share a meal, thoughts and ideas.
The Food Council Committee for Good Government’s (FCCfGG) special anniversary event in Monroe honored industry professionals and policy makers who continually support good government principles in New Jersey. Those in attendance also remembered the late Bill Sumas of Village ShopRite, whose seasoned reputation was known throughout the state’s supermarket industry and among elected leaders.
FCCfGG is the New Jersey Food Council’s (NJFC) non-profit political action committee that promotes the election of state lawmakers who support the priorities of food retailers and its supplier partners. Therefore, during the event, attendees learned about top legislative priorities impacting NJFC members, such as organized retail crime prevention, packaging legislation, and a recap of other major policy initiatives the trade organization has undertaken this past year.
“This breakfast is more than just a gathering; it’s a chance for us to amplify our voice, share our expertise, and set the course for a stronger, more secure future for one of New Jersey’s largest and most important industries – food retail and distribution,” said Richard Saker, president & CEO of Saker ShopRites and FCCfGG chair.
“As we come to the end of 2024, we are standing at the intersection of critical challenges and opportunities for our industry,” he said. “We continue to face lasting issues such as inflation, supply chain disruptions and increasing labor costs, while also tackling new challenges head-on and advocating for policies that protect our businesses, our employees and our consumers. We know our partners in Trenton understand that we’re not just an industry – we’re the backbone of New Jersey communities.”
Linda Doherty, president & CEO of NJFC, said a key focus is fighting organized retail crime, a significant threat affecting our communities and retail establishments. New Jersey is not alone in this issue, she noted, as other states like Pennsylvania, Maryland, Illinois, California and New York have already recently upgraded their laws.
“In New Jersey, we are also seeking to increase criminal penalties for assault of a retail worker, upgrade to a new first-degree felony offense for leaders of major crime rings, lower the threshold for theft of stolen goods, institute real time crime measures, invest in law enforcement resources and give prosecutors more tools to prosecute these criminal enterprises,” Doherty said.
Attendees saluted five honorees from the food retail business and state government. They include:
Patriot Award: In Memory of Bill Sumas, Chairman of Village ShopRite Supermarkets
This award is an honor rarely bestowed, having been received only by three others, and is a testament to the lasting impact that the late Bill Sumas had on the food industry. Sumas passed this summer after a four-year battle with cancer.
His son, Will, accepted the award on behalf of the family.
“If there was one thing my dad loved more than being a grocer, it was politics,” Sumas said. “So, during his time serving the council as both a member and chairman, he had truly carved out his own little piece of heaven. He had found this calling and advocating for the issues that matter most to our industry, helping the communities our stores served, and shaping the future of the industry we love so deeply. And even though he’s no longer with us, I know he would have been incredibly humbled by this recognition.”
Good Government Award: Andrew Kent, Executive Vice President of Glass Gardens ShopRite and Chair of the NJFC
Andrew Kent, executive vice president of Glass Gardens ShopRites, served as the Chair of the NJFC Board of Directors since 2022. He graduated from the inaugural class of the NJFC Leadership Development Program in 2014 and now generously gives his time mentoring future food industry leaders.
“I want to thank those elected officials willing to take meetings with our industry leaders and those willing to collaborate to problem solve and, most importantly, to govern,” Kent said. “As I look back as outgoing Board Chair in my third and final year, I reflect on the power of saying `yes,’ and what I’ve learned and the relationships that I have been able to create are so meaningful to me and will undoubtedly last a lifetime.”
“Paying it forward excites me,” added Kent, noting the NJFC’s strategic plan has focused on record membership, record sponsorship, record scholarship and record engagement and inclusivity.
“It is often said that progress is slow and a challenging journey,” Kent noted. “It is a journey worth pursuing as it brings about meaningful change that impacts many. Our work is far from complete. We must continue to advocate for policies that support a food industry here in New Jersey and nationally, and for our member companies to continue to thrive and innovate.”
Outstanding Legislator Award: William Spearman, New Jersey General Assembly, District 5
William Spearman regularly engages and collaborates with NJFC for insights on relevant bills and proposals and offers assistance and support. That includes the Organized Retail Crime bill, proactive packaging legislation, and legislation to fix the new online lottery rule.
Assemblyman Spearman credited his local Acme with providing him valuable opportunities in his adolescence and giving him the ability to develop productive skills so early in his youth. He noted his great appreciation for the positive lasting impact that the store and its employees had on his community during his childhood.
Spearman told the NJFC members that children look up to supermarket workers. “Your employees are the coaches,” he said. “Your employees are the Girl Scout leaders and the Boy Scout leaders. You are the example that kids like me, saw as a father. And for that reason, I truly appreciate this honor.”
Outstanding Legislator Award: Holly Schepisi, New Jersey State Senate, District 39
NJFC has a longstanding relationship with State Sen. Holly Schepisi, a sponsor of NJFC’s Organized Retail Crime legislation. Introduced this summer, it is designed to tackle organized retail theft and assault of retail workers through enhanced penalties, enforcement, and resources to combat these types of crimes.
“Organized retail crime has been estimated to cost retailers over $100 billion annually, and it can’t be ignored in New Jersey,” Schepisi said. “Almost every single one of the communities I represent is right up against New York State, and we’ve seen a lot of bad actors now migrating from New York into New Jersey because we don’t have the same task force and the same penalties. It’s become a chronic issue in the communities that I represent.
“The police chiefs have been reaching out. Your members have been reaching out,” the senator added. “And New Jersey alone is losing an estimated $200 million in sales due to the impact of organized retail crime in 2023. So I am proud to have worked across the aisle to address this issue legislatively.”
Thomas W. Kelly Government Service Award: Robert Asaro-Angelo, Commissioner, New Jersey Department of Labor & Workforce Development
Robert Asaro-Angelo, who oversees the state’s services to New Jersey workers, has worked closely with the NJFC on the implementation of the online working papers program for minors. The program provides flexibility and additional employment support to keep food retailers appropriately staffed.
In accepting the award, Asaro-Angelo said one of his proudest moments as commissioner is working with the NJFC, lawmakers and other stakeholders on the online, streamlined process for minors to get working papers.
“This one website absorbed the work of over 600 school districts and centralized the entire COVID process for students, parents and employers,” he said. “We received over 131,000 employment applications so far from 16,000 registered New Jersey employers. The word is out, and I expect these numbers to keep growing.”
He did note the program needed long-term funding from the state Legislature and hopes it can become permanent. “Our teams are working with the developer to further streamline the website and increase approval rates,” the commissioner said. “We’re very instrumental in all this work when it comes to minors’ working papers and employing our youth.”
As part of the program, the NJFC recognized the graduates of the 2024 Leadership Development Class. Jessica Scaduto of Foodtown/Food Circus serves as Chair of the Leadership Development Program and Matthew Lipowski of Bimbo Bakeries USA serves as Vice Chair, both graduates of the program.
Launched in 2014, the Food Council Leadership Development Program provides training for future leaders who have a passion for working in the food industry, possess an interest in the dynamics and trends of government, and want to make a difference in the direction of the industry.
Below are the members of the 2024 class:
- James Bischoff, Bimbo Bakeries USA
- Orela DeCurtis, Bimbo Bakeries USA
- James Gleason, Stop & Shop Supermarkets
- Katie Murphy, C&S Wholesale Grocers
- Juan Salinas, Perfect Life Nutrition
- Zachry Veltri, Wawa
- Michelle Vitale, Liberty Coca-Cola
- Daniel Wolk, Stop & Shop Supermarkets
The FCCfGG was formed in 1973 with the support of the New Jersey Food Council to aid those responsible elected state officials and candidates who share a common objective for good government. Learn more at FCCFGG.com