The New Jersey Food Council will host the prestigious Night of Distinction reception Thursday, March 23, 6:00 p.m. at The Palace at Somerset Park, Somerset, NJ. The event, with its powerful slate of honorees, draws over 500 guests including prominent food industry executives. Guests will enjoy delectable cuisine, live music, and a silent auction that supports the NJFC Educational Development Scholarship Program.
New Jersey Food Council is proud to announce its 2017 Night of Distinction Honorees who will be presented with Industry Achievement Awards for their meaningful contributions to advance the mission of the Food Council, for achieving significant food business success, and for their history of civic service within the New Jersey food community.
This year’s honorees are John Derderian, President of Allegiance Retail Services; Frank Mastrangelo, Area Marketing Director of SuperValu; and Nico Sumas, Chief Marketing Officer of Village ShopRite Supermarkets Inc.
“We are excited to honor these three men and their organizations as stellar members of NJFC that work to support our efforts and our association’s mission.” said Linda Doherty, NJFC President. And she added, “This recognition truly makes this night the retail food industry event of the year.”
At its Annual Membership Meeting this week, the New Jersey Food Council selected Richard Saker as its new Chairman of the Board of two one year terms. Saker, who is Chairman, President and CEO of Saker Holdings Corporation and Saker ShopRites, Inc., will lead New Jersey’s largest food industry trade association.
Having previously served as NJFC Vice Chair, Saker, a resident of Middletown, was installed as Chairman by New Jersey Lieutenant Governor Kim Guadagno. His ascension to the Chairmanship has historical significance, as his father, Joe Saker, was a founder and served as the first Chairman of the Board of NJFC in 1969.
NJFC President and CEO Linda Doherty remarked on the historical precedence of Saker’s chairmanship, which commemorates the first time a next generation family member has led the statewide trade association.
“The New Jersey Food Council was born in the living room of the Saker Family when Richard’s father Joe Saker and a group of supermarket pioneers recognized the need for the food retail industry to have one common and unified voice in Trenton,” said Doherty. “Almost 50 years later, Richard carries his father’s legacy as he takes the helm as the nineteenth NJFC Chairman of the Board. Under Richard’s leadership, we are confident the Association will continue to grow and promote the interests of food retailers before state and federal government in this dynamic business environment.”
Richard Saker is owner and operator of 30 ShopRite Supermarkets, 29 pharmacies, 2 liquor stores, and Dearborn Market and Garden Center. Saker ShopRites is one of the highest average volume per store supermarket chains in the country, employing nearly 9,000 associates.
“I am honored to be selected as Chairman of the New Jersey Food Council, which has grown to be one of the most effective business associations in Trenton and one of the strongest food associations in the country,” said Saker. “Now more than ever, it is critical that large grocery stores and small, independent food retailers and our supplier partners work together and speak with one voice on economic growth policies.”
Also joining Richard as officers in 2017 are Vice Chair Mike Murphy, Senior Vice President of QuickChek Corporation and Secretary Joe Sofia, Senior Vice President of Wegmans Food Markets. Associate Vice Chair Joe McCarthy, Vice President Metro Atlantic of Bimbo Bakeries, and Treasurer Mike Rothwell, Vice President and General Manager of Pennington Quality Market, will continue in their roles for another term. Judy Spires, CEO of Kings Food Markets, steps down after completing three successful terms as Chair.
“With the new Trump Administration in Washington DC and the upcoming NJ gubernatorial election in 2017, the food industry faces the potential for both new opportunities and new challenges,” Doherty continued. “We are certain the membership will rally behind Richard and the new executive team and provide the support, attention and action necessary to promote the interests of New Jersey’s food retailers.”
As you may know, the Education Development Scholarship Program was created with the goal to promote future leaders, create a benefit for NJFC members and their families, and support the food industry. Scholarships will be available for the Fall 2018 school year and the deadline to submit an application is April 20, 2018.
18 scholarships are available this year. They are:
Applicants can download applications and e-mail the completed form with the essay and letter of recommendation to njfc@njfoodcouncil.com or mail them to New Jersey Food Council, 30 W. Lafayette Street, Trenton, NJ, 08608.
Please help us share this information within your organization and with family members who may be interested in applying for a scholarship.
As you may recall, the NJFC Educational Development Fund is an independent 501 3c fund with tax exempt status. Not only can the program award scholarships but house member foundations and endowment programs as well. We encourage members to consider these options to invest in the future of the New Jersey Food Council. If you would like to discuss contributing to the endowment fund by establishing a family or company scholarship, please call the office to discuss the details at (609) 392-8899.
Thanks for helping us spread the word and please call us if you have any comments or questions.
Featuring a special presentation from New Jersey’s Lieutenant Governor Kim Guadagno, NJFC will kick off the New Year with its Annual Membership meeting on Tuesday, January 24th at 5:30 p.m. at Forsgate Country Club in Monroe Township, New Jersey.
At the event, NJFC will elect its new officers and Board of Directors, including the association’s new Chair, Richard J. Saker of Saker ShopRites, who currently serves as Vice Chair. Richard Saker is the Chairman, President and CEO of Saker Holdings Corporation and Saker ShopRites, Inc., owner and operator of 30 ShopRite Supermarkets, 29 pharmacies, 2 liquor stores, and Dearborn Market and Garden Center. Saker ShopRites is one of the highest average volume per store supermarket chains in the country, employing nearly 9,000 associates.
Also joining as officers in 2017 are Vice Chair Mike Murphy, Senior Vice President of QuickChek Corporation and Secretary Joe Sofia, Senior Vice President of Wegmans Food Markets. Associate Vice Chair Joe McCarthy, Vice President Metro Atlantic of Bimbo Bakeries, and Treasurer Mike Rothwell, Vice President and General Manager of Pennington Quality Market, will continue in their roles for another term. The full Board of Directors will also be elected for a new term during the meeting.
Attendees will enjoy a cocktail reception featuring the best that New Jersey’s craft breweries and wineries have to offer while networking with the state’s leading food industry executives and professionals.
The Annual Meeting is an important opportunity for NJFC members to discuss the association’s priorities and major events for the upcoming year. It’s also a great time for members to learn about government affairs initiatives and the various NJFC Committees in which they can participate.
For industry members who would like to attend the event and celebrate the beginning of another exciting year, please visit our registration page.
NJFC Honors Industry Leaders and Law Enforcement Partners
for Efforts to Reduce Retail Theft
Focusing on the challenges of loss prevention and security in the food and retail industries, the New Jersey Food Council (NJFC) last week joined the New Jersey Retail Merchants Association (NJRMA) in hosting the widely-attended Northeast Regional Loss Prevention Conference and Exhibition at Forsgate Country Club in Monroe Township.
The event featured keynote speakers from the retail industry and law enforcement, including Assistant United States Attorney Zach Intrater, Deputy Chief of the Economics Crimes Section of the Criminal Division. A key focus of this year’s conference was the importance of partnerships between the retail industry and law enforcement professionals to help thwart crime and reduce risk.
“New Jersey’s retail and food industry is fortunate to have the support of dedicated law enforcement professionals at the local, state, and federal level assisting us in our efforts to reduce loss and prevent crime,” said Linda Doherty, NJFC President. “This year’s conference hit on some very important topics for our industry, ranging from the threat of terrorism to organized retail theft, and how we can work with law enforcement to reduce risk, increase safety, and prevent crime.”
Featured topics of the conference included a session on evolving threats in retail security by James D’Arcy, Vice President of Cambridge Security. D’Arcy spoke about ways in which retail establishments can protect themselves from becoming “soft targets” of terrorist attacks. Additionally, Robert Anzilotti, Chief of Detectives at the Bergen County Prosecutors Office, presented an Organized Retail Crime case study on “Operation Jersey Boyz,” a high-profile organized crime ring that was brought to justice through the cooperation of retail executives with law enforcement officers.
Other sessions included “The Impact of the Heroin Crisis on Organized Retail Theft” presented by Chief Chris Leusner, Middletown PD and Vice President of NJ Chiefs of Police Association and “Working with Local Law Enforcement on Retail Fraud Cases” presented by Lt. Zsakhiem James, 2nd District Commander, Camden County Police Department.
NJFC Honors Industry Loss Prevention Leader and Law Enforcement Professionals
Additionally, the annual conference honored food industry executives and law enforcement professionals for their achievements in the field of loss prevention. Ed Rohena of Stop & Shop Supermarkets received the 2016 Loss Prevention Professional Award, and three law enforcement officers received the 2016 Retail Law Enforcement Achievement Award: Kate Ingram from the New Jersey State Police; Detective Mike Coffey from the Piscataway Police Department; and Detective Mark Bajada from the Toms River Police Department.
“The annual Loss Prevention Professional Award recognizes Ed Rohena, Asset Protection Manager with Stop & Stop Supermarkets as a loss prevention executive who has advanced the mission of loss prevention and has offered significant contributions to protect and promote retail security issues,” said Doherty. “With more than two decades of experience, Ed has worked tirelessly with NJFC to promote retail security and loss prevention throughout the food industry, so it is only fitting that we honor his leadership and achievements at this conference.”
“Finally, I would like to extend my sincere congratulations and gratitude to the three members of law enforcement honored with the 2016 Retail Law Enforcement Achievement Award,” Doherty continued. “Their dedication to partnering with the retail community to combat crime has been critical to our efforts to reduce loss and theft, especially in dealing with organized retail crime.”
The New Jersey Food Council will host the prestigious Night of Distinction reception Thursday, March 23, 6:00 p.m. at The Palace at Somerset Park, Somerset, NJ. The event, with its powerful slate of honorees, draws over 500 guests including prominent food industry executives. Guests will enjoy delectable cuisine, live music, and a silent auction that supports the NJFC Educational Development Scholarship Program.
