Linda Doherty, President of the New Jersey Food Council (NJFC), announced the winners of the 2017 Education Development Scholarship Awards and a special Scholarship Reception will be held in their honor in April. NJFC created an Educational Scholarship Program to promote future leaders and support the food industry as recommended by the NJFC Trade Relations Committee.  This year, 20 member scholarships were awarded totaling $67,000.  Doherty stated, “We are pleased and proud that the scholarship program is growing and flourishing.  This is by far the most since the program’s inception.  We have come so far in the past seven years from three $2,000 scholarships to this robust investment today.  It allows us to provide an important member benefit and to invest in the future of NJFC families and our dynamic industry.

Doherty added, “NJFC received 124 applications for consideration.  The Selection Committee was overwhelmingly impressed with the number and quality of applications.  Our scholarship winners and all applicants are a shining example of the youth of today and their goals to succeed in today’s competitive business climate.”

 

The following scholarships were awarded this year:

1. NJFC Founders Scholarship Award – An award of $5,000 to an employee in a food related member business or future industry leader.

Recipient:  Erich Ballard, Wegmans Food Markets, TCNJ (Junior)

2. NJFC Student Award – An award of $5,000 to a graduating high school senior or college student who is a family member of a full time employee, NJFC employee or part-time student employee.

Recipient:  Dana Schmeltzle, QuickChek Corporation, North Carolina State University (Sophomore)

3. NJFC Thomas Infusino Scholarship Award – An award of $5,000 to one employee in a retail member business.

Recipient:  Ruth Fiore, Stop & Shop Supermarkets, NJIT (Freshman)

4. Acme Food Markets Scholarship – An award of $2,500 to an employee or family member employed at Acme Food Markets.

Recipient:  Victoria Blankenbiller, Acme Markets, Mercer County Community College (Freshman)

5. CBA Industries Scholarship – An award of $2.500 to an employee or family member employed at CBA Industries or an NJFC Retail Food Market.

Recipient:  Andrew Easterwood, CBA Industries, Georgia Southern University (Senior)

6. CBA Industries Scholarship – An award of $2.500 to an employee or family member employed at CBA Industries or an NJFC Retail Food Market.

Recipient:  Kacie Meyer, CBA Industries, Fairleigh Dickinson University (Freshman)

7. Cuellar Family ShopRites Scholarship – An award of $2,500 to an employee or family member employed at Cuellar Family ShopRites.

Recipient:  Manthan Gandhi, Cuellar Family ShopRites, NJIT (Junior)

8. Lawrence R. Inserra Memorial Scholarship – An award of $5,000 to an employee or family member of Inserra Supermarkets.

Recipient:  Ariana DiPietrantonio, Inserra Supermarkets, Undecided (Freshman)

9. Raymond J. Maniaci Memorial Scholarship – An award of $8,000 to a food marketing major student at Saint Joseph’s University.

Recipient:  Jared Kolakowski, Perlmutter ShopRite, St. Joseph’s University (Freshman)

10. QuickChek Corporation Scholarship – An award of $2,000 to an employee or family member employed at QuickChek Corporation.

Recipient:  Yasmine Elasmar, QuickChek Corporation, Undecided (Freshman)

11. Grace Scaduto Memorial Scholarship – An award of $2,000 to a student chosen by the Scaduto family.

Recipient:  Ruth Fiore, Stop & Shop Supermarkets, NJIT (Freshman)

12. Spires Family Scholarship – An award of $2,500 to a Kings associate or family member chosen by the Spires family.

Recipient:  Michael Napolitano, Kings Food Markets, Northeastern University (Junior)

13. Spires Family Scholarship – An award of $2,500 to a Kings associate or family member chosen by the Spires family.

Recipient: Molly Tompson, Kings Food Markets, Penn State University (Sophomore)

14. Perry Sumas Memorial Scholarship – An award of $5,000 to a student chosen by the Sumas family.

Recipient:  Kacie Meyer, ShopRite of Manahawkin, Fairleigh Dickinson University (Freshman)

15. Wawa Education Scholarship – An award of $5,000 to an employee or family member employed at Wawa.

Recipient:  Eun Kyung Jeon, Wawa, Northeastern University (Freshman)

16. Whole Foods Market Scholarship – An award of $2,000 to a team member employed by Whole Foods Market.

Recipient:  Addrisa Ankrah, Whole Foods Market, Montclair State University (Senior)

17. Whole Foods Market Scholarship – An award of $2,000 to a team member employed by Whole Foods Market.

Recipient:  Allyssa Farino, Whole Foods Market, Hunter College (Junior)

18. Whole Foods Market Scholarship – An award of $2,000 to a team member employed by Whole Foods Market.

Recipient:  Melissa Gonzalez, Whole Foods Market, Laguardia CUNY (Freshman)

19. Whole Foods Market Scholarship – An award of $2,000 to a team member employed by Whole Foods Market.

Recipient:  Ruth Gadsden, Whole Foods Market, CUNY-City College (Sophomore)

20. Whole Foods Market Scholarship – An award of $2,000 to a team member employed by Whole Foods Market.

Recipient:  Lorraine Martinez, Whole Foods Market, Fairleigh Dickinson University (Junior)

 

Each recipient will be presented with a scholarship check at a special reception held on April 4, 2017 at the Forsgate Country Club, Monroe Township, NJ.

The New Jersey Food Council is the Garden State’s preeminent trade association representing almost 400 members serving the retail, wholesale and manufacturing segments of the New Jersey food distribution industry.

March 23 is quickly approaching!  The NJ Food Council is hosting an eventful night to honor three of our leading members with Industry Achievement Awards. We are pleased to spotlight Frank Mastrangelo of SuperValu as a prestigious honoree.

Frank Mastrangelo, Area Marketing Director of Supervalu is a 34 year industry professional. He began his career as a manufacturing representative at Mrs. Paul’s, moving onto retail and foodservice supply chain services with Rotelle, Richfood, Fleming, AWI, and currently SuperValu.

Frank has held a variety of leadership positions in sales management including Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Vice President of Development, and multiple directorships. Frank has been serving on the Board of Directors for the NJFC for 12 years and has been an active member of the Council’s Finance Committee for eight years.

“Frank has been an integral member of the NJFC Board since he joined. He has made significant contributions as a voice on our finance committee that has enabled NJFC enjoy a strong and viable financial position. We are grateful for his savvy advice and counsel. Frank is being honored for his leadership on our board, promoting our economic stability, and increasing the visibility of the New Jersey Food Council.” said NJFC President Linda Doherty.

This year’s annual event will take place at The Palace at Somerset Park, 333 Davidson Avenue, Somerset, New Jersey on Thursday, March 23 beginning at 6:00 p.m. Joining Frank with this Industry Achievement recognition are Nico Sumas, Chief Marketing Officer of Village ShopRite and John Derderian, President of Allegiance Retail Services.

Tickets can be reserved online at www.njfoodcouncil.com/events or by calling NJFC at 609.392.8899.

March 23 is quickly approaching!  The NJ Food Council is hosting an eventful night to honor three of our leading members with Industry Achievement Awards. We are pleased to spotlight Nico Sumas II of Village Super Market as a prestigious honoree.

Nicholas J. Sumas II (Nico) is Chief Marketing Officer of Village Super Market Inc. which operates 29 ShopRite supermarkets in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Maryland. Nico, a third-generation grocer, has worked in almost all facets of the family business since he was 14 years old.  Today, he works alongside his extended family to fulfill their mission of helping families live better.  Nico is a member of Wakefern’s Board of Directors and is also active on a number of its committees.

“Nico and the entire Sumas family have been dedicated members of the New Jersey Food Council and we are excited to see the third generation of the Sumas family coming to the forefront of the industry and participating in the Food Council mission. Nico is an innovative supermarket executive who is greatly respected by trade partners and other retailers. We are thrilled to recognize this next generation leader from the Wakefern family of ShopRite Supermarkets,” said NJFC President Linda Doherty.

Nico holds a Bachelor’s degree from Lafayette College and a MBA from the Kellogg School of Business.  Prior to joining the family business, he spent three years at Chemical Bank of New Jersey as a credit analyst and loan officer in their middle markets group.  Nico has served as the Board Chair of St. Paul’s Day School for the past six years and is an active supporter of Autism Speaks, raising funds and awareness for this important cause.

This year’s annual event will take place at The Palace at Somerset Park, 333 Davidson Avenue, Somerset, New Jersey on Thursday, March 23 beginning at 6:00 p.m. Joining Nico with this Industry Achievement recognition are Frank Mastrangelo, Area Marketing Director of Supervalu and John Derderian, President of Allegiance Retail Services.

Tickets can be reserved online at www.njfoodcouncil.com/events or by calling NJFC at 609.392.8899.

The NJ Food Council’s Annual Night of Distinction is just over one month away and we are excited to highlight one of our honorees each week leading up to the big night!

This year, the Board of Directors will recognize John Derderian, President of Allegiance Retail Services with the prestigious Industry Achievement Award. John leads a supermarket cooperative of about 100 stores headquartered in Central New Jersey.  Allegiance provides merchandising, marketing, technology and various other services to its members including Foodtown, D’Agostino’s, Freshtown, Uncle Giuseppe’s, Brooklyn Harvest, LaBella Markets, Market Fresh, and Big Deal.

“John Derderian is a progressive leader in the NJ food distribution industry. His skillful command of the omni-channel platform is a great benefit to the demands of today’s consumers and the services of the retail food industry in the Northeast. We are pleased the NJFC Board of Directors is recognizing John for his vision and engagement,” said NJFC President Linda Doherty.

Prior to joining Allegiance in 2012 as Vice President of Sales, Marketing and Member Development, John spent 33 years at Pathmark Stores holding several senior management positions before leaving in 2008 as Executive Vice President, Business Strategy & Marketing.

Between positions at Pathmark and Allegiance Retail Services, John established, and was Managing Director of Consumer Comprehension, LLC, a retail consulting firm which provided marketing communication and business intelligence solutions to retail clients in various channels of trade. In his consulting role, John also served as an advisor to many financial institutions, private equity firms and venture capitalists, who were seeking expert industry assessments.

This year’s annual event will take place at The Palace at Somerset Park, 333 Davidson Avenue, Somerset, New Jersey on Thursday, March 23 beginning at 6:00 p.m.  Joining John with Industry Achievement Awards are Frank Mastrangelo, Area Marketing Director of SuperValu and Nico Sumas, Chief Marketing Officer of Village Super Market Inc.