The Asbury Park Press published an Opinion article authored by NJFC President Linda Doherty on the explosion of plastic bag ban ordinances popping up along the Jersey Shore and the proposed legislation that would have a positive impact on the usage of disposable plastic and paper bags.

“Unfortunately, while well-intentioned, the proposals vary greatly with each municipality and are proving to be costly and confusing for businesses and consumers.   Depending on the town, some ordinances ban plastic bags, while others ban both paper and plastic. A number of proposals impose consumer fees on plastic bags, while others impose fees on both paper and plastic. And the various proposals have different definitions of plastic, paper, disposable, reusable and compostable. All of these varying definitions and provisions have created an unworkable patchwork of local ordinances for retailers seeking to comply,” said Doherty in response to the growing number of municipal ordinances.

Ms. Doherty added, “The New Jersey Food Council strongly believes that a carefully crafted statewide bag fee can benefit the environment and provide retailers with a uniform and standard policy.”

You can read the entire Asbury Park Press Opinion article here.

ATLANTIC CITY, NJ — For the third year in a row, Chef Miguel Morales and Chef Michelle Cantalupo of Foodtown/Food Circus Supermarkets have won the New Jersey Food Council’s Best Chef Cook-Off at the NJFC Trade Relations Conference last week at Harrah’s Resort, Atlantic City, NJ. Their creative culinary style, combined with the innovation, preparation, and flavors of each dish, gave them the edge to three-peat.

The prestigious challenge preceded the Food Council’s 2018 Trade Relations Conference, a popular trade industry event for food retailers and suppliers. Around 200 industry leaders heard Acme’s Dan Croce deliver the keynote address and provide his insights on the state of the food industry in New Jersey while the culinary heavyweights displayed their cooking talents.

Competing against the top supermarket chefs in New Jersey, Morales and Cantalupo won the cook-off for the third consecutive year. But they didn’t rely on old tricks to secure the victory.

The chefs wowed judges with Chiles en Nogada with a Sherry Walnut Cream Sauce. For dessert, Morales and Cantalupo prepared Red Velvet Pancakes with Blueberry, Mango, and cream filling.

The competition was held in the Viking Kitchen and Cooking School at Harrah’s Resort. This year’s participants included the defending Champions from Food Circus Super Markets, Chef Danny Arturo and Sous Chef Rocky Pellerito of ShopRite of Greater Morristown (Village Food Garden), Chef David Sparrow and Sous Chef Nicole Remo of QuickChek, and new contestants, Chef Paul Kapner and Sous Chef Portia Lashley of Community FoodBank’s Food Service Training Academy who all put up a noble effort in the cook-off. Given the tough competition, Food Circus Foodtown, which operates stores in Monmouth County, was ecstatic to have won the prestigious challenge.

“We believe in great quality and outstanding service,” said Cantalupo, who grew up cooking in her family’s restaurant. “Miguel and I have been a winning team for three years, cooking together for over 10, and we take our creativity from the stores to every catering and cooking experience we participate in.”

“We are thrilled to have so many of the state’s leaders in the food industry here with us in Atlantic City to discuss challenges, collaborations, and innovations of the food business,” said NJFC President and CEO Linda Doherty. “Dan provided an insightful presentation that brought a new perspective on the culture of retail strategies in the NJ marketplace. With Dan’s announcement of his departure from Acme, his last presentation as an NJFC Board Member will remain special to our association.”

That’s also true of the New Jersey Food Council. During the conference, the business association awarded Craig Coyle of Bimbo Bakeries the 2018 Max Stone Award, a distinguished honor given to those with an accomplished career in trade relations. Coyle, Senior Director of Sales, has spent decades in the bread business.

Almost 700 tickets were sold to the New Jersey Food Council’s Night of Distinction event to honor its 2018 Industry Achievement Award recipients, comprising prominent food industry executives who continue to innovate and propel the industry in the state.

NJFC President Linda Doherty said, “This year’s honorees have advanced the mission of the New Jersey Food Council (NJFC), achieved significant food business success, and have a history of civic service.” This year’s honorees were Chris Lane, Executive Vice President of Wakefern Food Corporation; Kathy Russello, Executive Vice President of Retail Business Services, an Ahold Delhaize Company; and Dennis Hickey, Chief Merchandising Officer of Krasdale Foods.

Click here to view the 2018 Night of Distinction Photos.

“It was a great privilege to honor these three individuals who work diligently to support our efforts and our association’s mission. They are truly the cream of the crop in our industry and we are enormously proud to honor them.”

“What also set these honors apart were the presenters of the awards, who are industry giants in their own right,“ she added.

Joe Sheridan, President of Wakefern Food Corporation presented an Industry Achievement Award to Chris Lane, the Executive Vice President for Wakefern Food Corporation, the largest retailer-owned cooperative in the United States. “Chris is bold in his thinking. Brash when he needs to get things done. Continually challenges the status quo. And deeply committed to the success of the fifty families that make up the Wakefern cooperative.” said Sheridan.

Kevin Holt, Chief Executive Officer of Ahold Delhaize USA presented an Industry Achievement Award to Kathy Russello. Kathy is the Executive Vice President of People Systems and Services for Retail Business Services, a Company of Ahold Delhaize USA, which provides services and support to the Ahold Delhaize US Brands including Stop & Shop. Kathy also serves as the President of the Ahold Delhaize USA Family Foundation, a charitable foundation with the mission of building healthy communities by supporting family health and nutrition.

“With more than 30 years of dedicated service to the food retail industry, we are extremely proud of Kathy’s accomplishments and many contributions not only in New Jersey, but within our organization as well,” said Kevin Holt, CEO, Ahold Delhaize USA. “Kathy is a distinguished leader and we are very proud of the incredible recognition she received from the New Jersey Food Council. One of her greatest qualities is her passion for caring for people and helping advance the careers of others through her leadership, commitment and compassion at work, every day. ”

Jim Ostling, Director of Retail Customers of Bimbo Bakeries USA presented an Industry Achievement Award to Dennis Hickey, Chief Merchandising Officer for Krasdale Foods, Inc. a privately held company servicing independent retailers in the New York metropolitan area since 1908, and Florida since 2003. “When the planning committee determines a recipient of this esteemed award, the group uses integrity, commitment to promoting strong trade partnerships, civic responsibility, and strength of character as credentials. Dennis represents all the characteristics of a food trade leader, and has for many years.” said Ostling.

Michael Biase, Mission Foods, and Event Chair noted, “The Night of Distinction is an important event where the New Jersey grocery industry comes together to celebrate the industry leaders who have helped us to be one of the finest food trade organizations in the country.”