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Breaking News from NJ’s Food Industry

Business and Government Leaders Honored at Food Industry’s 50th Annual “Good Government” Event

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

New Jersey Food Council Welcomes New Board Members

As the New Jersey Food Council (NJFC) prepares for an even brighter future, with event participation at record highs, member companies have nominated high-quality professional candidates to fill recently-vacated positions on the Board of Directors.

The new Board members – all of whom have been unanimously approved – have undergone a comprehensive orientation program over the summer. As part of the process, President & CEO Linda Doherty outlined the detailed operations of the state’s trade association for food retailers, as well as its strategic plan for the coming years as membership and sponsorship numbers are at unprecedented levels.

“Our new board members have outstanding backgrounds; the New Jersey Food Council is eager to welcome the next generation of Board members as we continue to grow and thrive,” Doherty said. “They all possess a wealth of industry knowledge and experience that will benefit our association’s goals and strengthen our strategic activities.”

Andrew Kent, chair of the NJFC Board and executive vice president of Glass Gardens ShopRite, said the key to the NJFC’s success and impact in New Jersey is steady leadership. Over the decades of service to New Jersey’s food retailing industry, the association has relied on volunteers who eagerly take on leadership positions and use their vast experience to provide guidance to NJFC staff.

Jason Read, who was elected vice chair of NJFC in January, agreed. “We are eager to welcome these engaged and visionary board members, who are ready to take this next, important step in their careers,” said Read, a Wawa director of store operations. “Being a leader of the NJFC shows enormous commitment to the food retailing industry and I very much look forward to tapping the enthusiasm and experience of our new Board members to further elevate the New Jersey Food Council.”

The new board members include:

• Ryan Auld, Senior Customer Executive with Bimbo Bakeries USA, began his food industry career with Mondelez International as a merchandiser in the Baltimore/Washington DC Area. In 2017, he joined BIMBO Bakeries USA as a market sales leader.

• Perry J. Blatt, Director of E-Commerce and Business Development for Village Supermarkets, oversees all corporate giving, community outreach programs and is president of the Sumas Family Foundation. He has held many supervisory positions in the company in operations, merchandising, marketing and corporate communications.

• Kevin Cuff, Store Operations District Manager & Vice President of Wegmans Food Markets, has 27 years of experience. He began working at Wegmans in high school as a cashier in Syracuse, NY. He moved to New Jersey, where he took on several roles in store operations, including opening the first Wegmans location in New York City in his role as store manager.

• Rich Gingo, Sales Team Leader of Advantage Solutions, has more than 31 years of experience. He began his career at Revlon, working a summer job then transitioned to the broker side, gaining experience with ABD Sales, Food Enterprises, Marketing Specialists, and Acosta. For the past 13 years, he has been with Advantage Solutions and now serves as Sales Team Leader for the perishables division.

• Jim Gunning, Manager of Business Development for UNFI, is responsible for activities across 11 distribution centers, spanning nine states and the District of Columbia. Gunning is proud to have been in the food industry his entire career. He served as a board member of the Mid-Atlantic Frozen Food Association.

• Jim Mullen, Vice President of Operations at Stop & Shop Supermarkets, began his food industry career with Acme Markets in Philadelphia and has had leadership roles in Operations, Merchandising and e-Commerce. Mullen also served four years in the United States Marine Corps, promoted to sergeant while serving in Operation Desert Storm. He received the Navy Achievement Medal. Mullen is also a former president and board member for the Mid-Atlantic Food Trades Organization.

The New Jersey Food Council is the Garden State’s preeminent trade association representing almost 400 companies including 1,200 retail food stores, wholesalers, manufacturing and service companies that collectively employ more than 200,000 associates in New Jersey. For more information, visit www.njfoodcouncil.com.

A Golden Event: Business and Government Leaders to Be Honored at Food Industry’s 50th Annual “Good Government” Event

With a Special Tribute to the Late Bill Sumas of Village ShopRite

It is a special time – the 50th annual event to celebrate state lawmakers and business leaders who are making a substantial difference in the food industry. The Food Council Committee for Good Government (FCCfGG) has set the golden anniversary of its “Good Government” Breakfast for Tuesday, October 1.

As is the tradition, state lawmakers and food industry leaders will be discussing key issues and honoring industry professionals and policy makers who support good government principles. The special anniversary event will take place at Forsgate Country Club in Monroe Township, Middlesex County.

Attendees will hear about key legislative issues impacting New Jersey Food Council (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.

The event is expected to include bi-partisan comments about policies and priorities as all eyes look to the November general election, with the U.S. Presidency on the top of the ticket, a race for a U.S. Senate seat in New Jersey and all House seats on the ballot.

The program is sponsored by FCCfGG, a non-profit political action committee that promotes the election of state lawmakers who support the priorities of food retailers. Attendees will hear from the Republican U.S. Senate candidate Curtis Bashaw.

“The NJFC is fortunate to have developed vital, long-term working relationships with many members of the state Legislature over the years,” said Linda Doherty, FCCfGG Treasurer, who is also the president & CEO of NJFC.

“These key partnerships have been a direct benefit to the thousands of supermarket employees and millions of New Jersey consumers who rely on a strong food industry in this state,” Doherty said. “For this golden anniversary, we will celebrate these relationships, express our appreciation and discuss critical agenda items for the coming year.”

Attendees will salute five honorees in the food retailing business and government. They include:

Patriot Award: In Memory of Bill Sumas, Village 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. The Monmouth Beach resident will be remembered for his exemplary advocacy and his engagement with government officials to foster productive partnerships between the industry and government.

“As a leader of the NJ food industry, Bill was generous and passionate about advocating  for critical policy initiatives and to mentor emerging leaders,” Doherty said. “Bill has been recognized by many of his industry friends and colleagues for his commitment to serving as a role model for the future generation. He is also fondly remembered for his support of local anti-hunger initiatives and other worthy community programs.”

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, represents the next generation of ownership at Glass Gardens. Kent has served as the Chair of the New Jersey Food Council 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.

“Andrew embraced his role as chairman and redefined the vision and engagement of the association through strategic planning and execution,” Doherty said. “His determination and involvement involved with NJFC and many other food retail organizations, both on the state and national levels, is inspiring. His commitment to effective engagement with policymakers is significant and appreciated.”

Outstanding Legislator Award: William Spearman, New Jersey General Assembly, District 5

NJFC has a longstanding working relationship with Assemblyman William Spearman. The Democratic lawmaker regularly engages and collaborates with NJFC for insights on relevant bills and proposals and offers assistance and support.

NJFC is working with Spearman on its Organized Retail Crime bill package, proactive packaging legislation, and legislation to fix the new online lottery rule. His support of these issues and other priority issues is greatly appreciated. Food security is very important to Assemblyman Spearman; he serves on Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin’s Food Security Taskforce along with Doherty.

Assemblyman Spearman has represented the 5th legislative district since 2018. He is Chair of the Assembly Commerce, Economic Development and Agriculture Committee, Vice-Chair of the Children, Families and Food Security Committee, and serves on the Financial Institutions and Insurance Committee.

Outstanding Legislator Award: Holly Schepisi, New Jersey State Senate, District 39

NJFC has a longstanding productive relationship with State Sen. Holly Schepisi. She is a key part of Republican leadership, serving as Conference Leader.

The senator, of River Vale, is widely known for promoting pro-growth policies and advocates for decreasing regulatory burdens on New Jersey employers.

Doherty added, “Schepisi is a sponsor of NJFC’s Organized Retail Crime legislation package, designed to tackle organized retail theft and assault of retail workers through enhanced penalties, enforcement, and resources to combat these types of crimes.”

The senator has represented the 39th legislative district since 2012, first in the General Assembly and in the Senate since 2021. She serves on the Senate Community and Urban Affairs and Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committees, as well as the Joint Committee on Housing Affordability and Joint Committee on Economic Justice and Equal Employment Opportunity.

Thomas W. Kelly Government Service Award: Robert Asaro-Angelo, Commissioner, New Jersey Department of Labor & Workforce Development

Robert Asaro-Angelo, nominated as Labor & Workforce Development commissioner in January 2018, oversees the state’s services to New Jersey workers. He was named Board Chair of the National Association of State Workforce Agencies (NASWA) for the 2021 association year.

“We appreciate our partnership with the Commissioner and his team and the Department’s commitment to labor and workforce development issues that significantly impact NJFC members, such as implementation of the online working papers program for minors,” Doherty said. “This new system provides flexibility and additional employment support to keep food retailers appropriately staffed so that retailers can continue to serve their customers and communities.

“We are also pleased to acknowledge our longstanding work with the department on customized training grants that support the food retail industry’s food safety training initiatives,” she added.

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

NJFC Hosts Tee-rrific Day on the Links

Food Industry’s Premier Golf Event Had Record Number of Golfers and Prizes

The New Jersey Food Council (NJFC) recently held its Annual Golf Outing at the Suburban Golf Club in Union Township, with two rounds of golfers throughout the day.

The July 29 event, widely known in business circles as the “it” golf outing of the year, was the ideal venue for networking among the state’s food industry movers and shakers. It was the strongest showing in recent memory of food industry executives representing retail, manufacturers, brokers, wholesalers and convenience stores from across New Jersey.

“We are proud to host the premier industry golf event that exceeds our expectations every year,” said NJFC President Linda Doherty. “The generosity and camaraderie of the members at this outing is like no other food industry event. This enormously popular outing always brings out a great mix of food trade associates and retail executives.”

NJFC had an enormous goodie bag, filled with donations from NJFC’s retail and supplier members and industry partners. The event also included a S’mores station on the course from Kraft Heinz, and a sampling station from Evie’s Snacks to showcase new products. Event sponsors CLA and Mission Foods provided a cigar roller; EisnerAmper sponsored the golf balls.

The winning golfers:

  • Best Team Score AM: Dylan Dembeck, Jack Russell, Brian Dombal, and Jared Kaufman from the Minkus Family Farms team
  • Best Team Score PM: Bob Jordan, Chris Jordan, Dan Rensing and Joe Parker from the US Salt team
  • Closest to the Pin (Men & Women): Sam Monte, PSEG, and Debbie Pregiato, Advantage Solutions
  • Closest to the Line (Men & Women): Joseph Parker, JOH, and Julie Naso, Whole Foods
  • Longest Drive (Men & Women): Craig Tomato of Inserra Supermarkets, and Marissa Glatt of Acosta Sales & Marketing

The New Jersey Food Council is the Garden State’s preeminent trade association representing almost 400 companies including 1,200 retail food stores, wholesalers, manufacturing and service companies that collectively employ more than 200,000 associates in New Jersey. For more information, visit www.njfoodcouncil.com.

NJFC Honors Three Industry Leaders at Annual “Night of Distinction”

Calandra’s Bakery Leads the Way in $30,000 in Scholarship Donations

The supermarket stars shined brightly on May 15, as the New Jersey Food Council (NJFC) honored leaders in the industry during the annual “Night of Distinction” reception.

The event, with its powerful slate of honorees, drew more than 500 guests, including prominent food industry executives across the region. Moreover, Anthony Calandra of Calandra’s Bakery of Newark spearheaded a drive to bring in scholarship donations to benefit the NJFC Educational Development Scholarship Program during the Silent Auction. His donations alone of signature sporting events tickets helped NJFC raise over $30,000 to support students striving for an education in the food industry.

“During the Night of Distinction, we celebrate our members who volunteer their time and talent to ensure our mutual success and advance our mission,” said NJFC President & CEO Linda Doherty. “The attendance and ticket sales were overwhelming; it demonstrates the strength and promise the industry holds for the New Jersey Food Council and we are grateful for that undeniable support.”

Leftover food from the event was donated to Table to Table, a food rescue organization located in Saddle Brook.

“This event truly represents the ‘who’s who’ of the New Jersey grocery industry, as we come together, to celebrate and pay tribute to our industry leaders who have helped us strive to be ‘the best in class’ food trade association in the country, all because of your support,” said Nick Brown of Kraft Heinz, who served as Master of Ceremonies.

“We celebrate three industry leaders who have made a meaningful contribution to advance the mission of the Food Council, have achieved significant grocery industry success, and have a history of civic service within the New Jersey food community,” he added.

The honorees were: Neil Greenstein of Brookdale ShopRite and ShopRite of Newark, Stew Leonard, Jr. of Stew Leonard’s and Samer Rahman of Allegiance Retail Services.

  • Neil Greenstein, a third-generation grocer, is proud of his heritage in the industry. His grandparents opened the family’s first supermarket in Bloomfield in 1948 and joined the Wakefern cooperative in 1952. His family’s two ShopRite stores employ more than 800 people and he calls his stores “the supermarkets with a heart.”Newark leaders credit Greenstein with being a community partner, giving of his time and resources to become an integral part of the city and the redevelopment of Newark. This includes his involvement with organizations like The Greater Newark Conservancy, the Boys and Girls Club of Newark and NJPAC.Greenstein also supports the Foley Field Foundation, Bloomfield Educational Foundation, and The Human Needs Food Pantry, as well as a supporter of ShopRite Partners In Caring, Wakefern Food Corp.’s signature hunger-fighting initiative that helps organizations fighting food insecurity. Greenstein is an officer on the Board of Wakefern Food Corp., the National Grocers Association and sits on the Board of The Kessler Foundation.
  • Stew Leonard, Jr. is President & CEO of Stew Leonard’s, a family-owned farm fresh food retailer recognized as one of Fortune magazine’s “100 Best Companies to Work for in America” for 10 consecutive years.He took over as president and CEO in 1991 and grew the company from one retail food store in Norwalk, CT to seven stores across Connecticut, New York and New Jersey, as well as eight family-owned wine stores. Stew Leonard’s welcomes more than 20 million customers a year, employs more than 2,500 team members and has annual sales exceeding $550 million.Stew Leonard’s has been dubbed “The Disneyland of Dairy Stores” by The New York Times for its in-store entertainment and listed in the Guinness Book of World Records for having “the greatest sales per unit area of any single food store in the United States.” The Leonard family has also been recognized for building a successful, multi-generational family business.
  • Samer Rahman is Vice President and Chief Merchandising Officer at Allegiance Retail Services. He joined the company in 2013, initially as the Director of Meat & Seafood and moved up to Vice President of Perishables and Vice President of Center Store.“My venture into the Grocery Retail Sector began in 1988, marking a substantial 35-year career filled with diverse experiences,” Rahman said. “My extensive management roles span both independent supermarket retail and major corporate supermarket chains, including nearly two decades of dedicated service at Pathmark and A&P. These experiences have equipped me with a deep understanding of the industry and a commitment to driving excellence in merchandising and leadership.”