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NJ Food Council Adds Michael Deloreto & Jeanette Hoffman to Advocacy Team

Food Industry Trade Association Bolsters Public Affairs Efforts

Today, the New Jersey Food Council (NJFC) announced the expansion of their government affairs and communications team, retaining Michael DeLoreto of Gibbons P.C. and Jeanette Hoffman of Marathon Public Affairs to further its mission on behalf of the state’s food industry. NJFC is the Garden State’s preeminent trade association, representing 1,200 retail food stores, wholesalers, manufacturing and service companies that collectively employ more than 200,000 associates.

“This is a critical time for our members. We’re facing a number of legislative issues – ranging from increased labor costs to new environmental regulations – that would dramatically impact New Jersey businesses and their employees,” said NJFC President and CEO Linda Doherty. “We’re excited to bring on these two talented, experienced professionals to supplement our advocacy and communications efforts on behalf of the state’s food industry.”

Michael DeLoreto is an attorney in the Government Affairs Department of Gibbons P.C. Previously, he served as a law clerk to the Honorable Douglas M. Fasciale, Superior Court of New Jersey, Appellate Division. DeLoreto has extensive experience specific to legislation, regulations, and court decisions being made in Trenton and Washington D.C. He’s also served as Chief of Staff to the New Jersey General Assembly Deputy Majority Leader, as well as the NJFC’s Government Affairs Director.

“Mike enjoys strong relationships with legislators on both sides of the aisle. He’s worked with us before, so he innately understands the many complex public policy issues impacting the food industry,” said Doherty. “We’re excited to have him re-join our advocacy team in support of our government affairs staff.”

Jeanette Hoffman is President of Marathon Public Affairs. Regarded as one of New Jersey’s top public relations consultants and media spokespeople, Hoffman specializes in strategic messaging and public affairs campaigns. Named to NJBIZ’s 2015 “Forty Under 40” list, Jeanette has over fifteen years of experience in issues advocacy, politics, policy and state government. As a media commentator in high demand, Ms. Hoffman can often be seen on several statewide and national television and radio stations discussing politics and public policy.

“Jeanette is uniquely qualified to deliver our message and help advocate on behalf of our industry,” said Doherty. “She is one of New Jersey’s most respected, effective spokespeople. We’re thrilled she will be overseeing our public relations and media outreach.”

Governor Christie: “Let’s Listen to the NJ Food Council” On Minimum Wage Impacts

During a speech to the South Jersey Chamber of Commerce, Governor Christie focused on four key issues, one of which was the pending proposal to raise the minimum hourly wage to $15 an hour.

“Let’s listen to the New Jersey Food Council, what they say is going to happen here,” said Governor Christie. “A New Jersey food retailer with thirty stores and almost 4,000 employees currently pays all employees above the minimum wage. An immediate and full increase would cost this company, now it is thirty stores, 4,000 employees, it is going to cost them $50 million. $50 million. Another food retailer who has 150 stores in New Jersey reports that for every dollar in the hourly wage increase, they will have another $1 million per year in increased costs. The Food Council anticipates a significant increase in food prices in New Jersey. They are one of the smallest margin businesses in the state. The supermarkets you go to do not operate on large margins. So you are talking about an increase in your food costs because of this Democratic proposal of 10 to 15%. 10 to 15% in every item you go to the supermarket to buy for your family because of this great idea.”

NJFC looks forward to working with Governor Christie and our business colleagues to demonstrate the dangerous economic impact of 79% hike in the minimum wage.

John Derderian, President of Allegiance Retail Services, to Address “State of the Food Industry” at NJFC Trade Relations Conference

The New Jersey Food Council is pleased to announce that John Derderian, President of Allegiance Retail Services, will present on the “State of the Food Industry” during the 2016 Trade Relations Conference to be held on May 11, at Harrah’s Casino and Resort in Atlantic City, NJ, from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Derderian joined Allegiance in 2012 and managed marketing, digital marketing, pricing, consumer insights and store operations. Today, he is President of Allegiance Retail Services, LLC, a supermarket cooperative of just under 100 stores in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. In New Jersey, they operate under the Foodtown banner and are also headquartered in central New Jersey.

Before Allegiance, he worked 33 years with Carteret, N.J.-based Pathmark Stores Inc., where he held several senior management positions, including executive vice president of business strategy and marketing. After Pathmark, Derderian started the Consumer Comprehension LLC retail consulting organization.

Tim O’Connor, Managing Partner of the Retail Performance Solutions will also speak at the conference on “Retail Transformation 2020.”

Debbie Pregiato, Customer Team Leader for Advantage Solutions, will be honored with the New Jersey Food Council’s Max Stone Trade Relations Award; she will be the first woman to receive this prestigious recognition. “Debbie’s role as a leader on our new member development campaign, business partnerships with NJFC members and her continuous dedication to the advancement of the Food Council’s mission made her an obvious choice,” said NJFC President Linda Doherty. The Max Stone Award is named in honor of the longtime trade relations leader for Best Foods, CPC in recognition of his accomplished career in trade relations in New Jersey.

In addition to the Max Stone Award, NJFC will be announcing the recipients for the 15 scholarships being awarded totaling $53,000 to promote future leaders and to support the workforce and families of the food industry.

As is tradition, the event will conclude with a curtain closer golf event at Galloway National Golf Club on May 12 at 9:00 A.M. in Galloway, NJ.

Contact NJFC at 609-392-8899 to register for the event or go to http://njfoodcouncil.com/register-today/.

The New Jersey Food Council is the Garden State’s preeminent trade association representing 1,200 retail food stores, wholesalers, manufacturing and service companies that collectively employ more than 200,000 associates in NJ.

NJFC Trade Relations Conference to Highlight “Retail Transformation 2020”

The New Jersey Food Council is pleased to announce the 2016 Trade Relations Conference to be held on May 11, at Harrah’s Casino and Resort in Atlantic City, NJ. John Derderian (left), President of Allegiance Retail Services, will provide remarks on the “State of the Food Industry” and Tim O’Conner, Managing Partner of the Retail Performance Group will present to the attendees on “Retail Transformation 2020.” The reception and program will be held from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Debbie Pregiato (below), Customer Team Leader for Advantage Solutions, will be honored with the New Jersey Food Council’s Max Stone Trade Relations Award, she will be the first woman to receive this prestigious recognition.

“Debbie’s role as a leader on our new member development campaign, business partnerships with NJFC members and her continuous dedication to the advancement of the Food Council’s mission made her an obvious choice,” said NJFC President Linda Doherty. “Debbie has forged long lasting food industry relationships and is a role model as a respected trade relations leader.” The Max Stone Award is named in honor of the longtime trade relations leader for Best Foods, CPC in recognition of his accomplished career in trade relations in New Jersey.

The Conference will feature our first annual “Chef Cook-off Challenge;” an opportunity for retail food industry chefs to showcase their culinary skills and compete for the award as NJFC Best Chef 2016. In addition to the Chef Challenge, we will be highlighting members’ new products in the market; which will give the opportunity for product sampling at the Conference.

As is tradition, the event will conclude with a golf event at Galloway National Golf Club on May 12 at 9:00 A.M. in Galloway, NJ.

Contact NJFC at 609-392-8899 to register for the event or go to http://njfoodcouncil.com/register-today/.

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NJFC Comes Out in Strong Opposition to Misguided Bottle Bill

NJFC and our members have come out in strong opposition to A-2281, which would require a 10 cent deposit on all plastic and glass bottles and aluminum cans less than 24 oz. and a 20 cent deposit on these containers over 24 oz.

Our businesses already pay a Litter Tax on 15 litter generating categories of products including beverage containers. A bottle bill is doubling a tax on NJ consumers and our members! The business community came together almost 30 years ago in support of a Litter Tax in lieu of a bottle bill to create the New Jersey Clean Communities program and the Food Council was a founder and is a proud partner. This is a statewide, comprehensive, litter-abatement program created by the passage of the Clean Communities Act in 1986 and provides a funding source for the program by taxing litter generating products paid by retailers and passed through to consumers. Each year, on average, $18 million is collected to fund New Jersey Clean Communities and block grants are disbursed each year to municipalities, counties, and the state parks service. Every NJ neighborhood receives funding from the Clean Communities Program.

The Bottle Bill is wasteful and expensive to implement at retail. This bill represents a tremendous cost to our members which would necessarily be passed on to the consumers in the form of higher prices. Our businesses typically operate on extremely slim profit margins of 1 – 2% and would not be able to absorb the costs forcing them to raise prices. While it’s true that consumers will get the 10 or 20 cent tax back if they return the bottles, they will still be paying more for every day necessities and staple items. In other states with bottle bill laws, it costs the retailer as much as 5 cents per container in compliance costs.

The Bottle Bill creates fraud and does not create the intended revenue. This proposed fee would instantly be one of the highest in North America. In Michigan, which has comparable rates to this bill, they have routinely had refund rates of over 100% due to large amounts of fraud at border stores despite being surrounded by water on three sides. If the goal of this legislation is truly to fund lead abatement in our water infrastructure the state will surely be disappointed by the revenue.

The Bottle Bill disrupts our successful solid waste management programs. New Jersey has a very successful curbside recycling program and Recycling Enhancement Act that provides tonnage grants to town. In particular, Newark receives nearly $450,000 in tonnage grant money. A bottle bill would disrupt this curbside recycling program and suspend the tonnage grant program. Curbside recycling is effective and convenient for consumers, and tonnage grants are a revenue source for our cash strapped municipalities.

The Bottle Bill is an old and outdated idea. Our municipalities are struggling and this is not the time to threaten their successful recycling income and endanger the funding source.

The Bottle Bill is a failed money grab and not a true approach to solving any water quality issues.