Breaking News from NJ’s Food Industry
ATLANTIC CITY, NJ — Leaders from New Jersey’s food retail and distribution businesses gathered in Atlantic City on March 30 to address the growing consumer focus on health and wellness in the food industry, following a lingering pandemic that put the neighborhood supermarket on the front lines of “essential” services.
The NJFC 2022 Trade Relations Conference featured a well-received presentation by Stew Leonard, Jr., President & CEO of Stew Leonard’s, a unique 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.
In addition, the NJFC welcomed other talented and accomplished leaders who discussed emerging “Health and Wellness” consumer trends in a post-COVID world and what it means to the business model.
“We took a deeper look at a customer’s cart, both online and through the checkout lane,” explained NJFC President and CEO Linda Doherty. “Throughout the pandemic, customers have shifted their purchasing habits and focused on health and wellness. Today, food is medicine and a way to enhance the nutritional wellbeing of themselves and their families. Our event shined a spotlight on this pivotal moment and how we navigate the needs of this modern consumer.”
Additionally, the Conference featured an expert panel discussion featuring Ron Bonacci, Vice President of Advertising and Marketing, Weis Markets; Jacqueline Gomes, RDN, MBA, a dietician, Allegiance Retail Services; Stephan Henig, Chief Customer Officer, Wakefern Food Corp. and Joe Kaszuba, Regional Sales Manager, House Foods North America, moderated by Nick Brown of Kraft Heinz Company.
“This annual program demonstrates our commitment to encouraging trade partnerships and providing a better understanding of supplier and retailer business models to strengthen and grow our businesses in good times and crisis situations,” Doherty added.
Additionally, Gary Rosenthal, Executive Vice President & General Manager, JOH Metro Division, was honored with the NJFC Jimmy Ostling Trade Relations Award for his support of industry trade partnerships and activities, and his long standing career as an effective food broker.
Gary was recognized as a trade leader who has made a significant impact on the food industry in this region and is an outstanding role model in trade relations. Doherty said, “His style and ability to forge partnerships between the supplier and food retail community is admired, appreciated and respected.”
The conference concluded with an industry-wide golf outing, held this year on March 31 at Galloway National Golf Club in Galloway Township.
Members can view the full event photo gallery here.
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 250,000 associates in NJ. For more information, visit www.njfoodcouncil.com.
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PERTH AMBOY – With a little more than a month until the state’s ban on plastic and paper bags goes into effect, the 19th district legislators had just one message for shoppers at a local supermarket: Remember to start bringing your own bags.
Senator Joe Vitale, Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin and Assemblywoman Yvonne Lopez (D-19th) were at the local supermarket in Perth Amboy, handing out reusable bags as people pushed their carts by the fresh produce. The lawmakers were participating in the statewide Reusable Bag Education campaign, coordinated through the New Jersey Clean Communities Council (NJCCC).
New Jersey Food Council President Linda Doherty, who attended the bag give-away in Perth Amboy, expressed her appreciation to the three lawmakers. “It is important that state leaders explain the new state law to shoppers and lend an important voice to this outreach campaign,” she said. “They know their constituents well and have built lasting community relationships. They are important ambassadors.”
Many of the shoppers already seemed aware that the new state law goes into effect on May 4. The supermarket had signage at the entrance reminding shoppers, as well as a public service announcement piped through the sound system from the New Jersey Food Council, a Reusable Bag Education partner.
“Even though the law doesn’t go into effect until May, we are hoping that New Jerseyans can start getting in the habit of bringing their own bags now,” Coughlin said, as he handed out reusable bags and Reusable Bag Education literature. “Single-use plastic bags have been an ongoing litter problem, and with this law we are better encouraging eco-friendly behavior for the benefit of our environment and community health.”
On Nov. 4, 2020, Gov. Phil Murphy and the New Jersey Legislature enacted the most progressive bag ban law in the country. The law encourages the use of reusable bags by phasing out single-use plastic and paper bags.
The law bans single-use plastic bags at grocery stores and retail outlets, as well as paper bags at grocery stores measuring more than 2,500 square feet. It also bans polystyrene foam food service products; and makes plastic straws at restaurants available only upon request. The state law supersedes any local ordinances already in place for these products.
Vitale said he was pleased the NJCCC is undertaking this statewide education campaign, which targets overburdened communities in New Jersey where residents may not have easy access to information about the new law.
“It is important for us to get out into the community, explain the law and make sure people are aware that enforcement is coming soon, on May 4,” Vitale said. “The hope is that most shoppers will begin bringing their own bags now. That is why we are here today, handing out bags and providing important reminders.”
Lopez urged shoppers to visit the campaign website to learn more about the law and to access important information that is available to shoppers and business owners.
“Public awareness and meaningful outreach are integral to the successful implementation of this law,” Lopez said. “I am pleased to see there is a targeted effort to reach residents in communities like Perth Amboy and hope these efforts will expand to target communities across the state. May 4 is not that far away, and we need to make every effort to ensure our residents are prepared.”
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 250,000 associates in NJ. For more information, visit www.njfoodcouncil.com.
One year into the pandemic, Governor Phil Murphy signed a Resolution supported by a bipartisan coalition of Legislators, marking March 9th as COVID-19 Heroes Day to honor all frontline workers, including the food and grocery workforce. NJFC applauded the passage of this Resolution and is celebrating our resilient industry as we reach the two-year anniversary of the pandemic this year.
“Our lifeline food industry workforce heeded the call, serving our state in a time of crisis to keep the 9 million New Jersey residents fed and supplied during the tremendous uncertainty of this global pandemic” said Linda Doherty, president & CEO, NJFC.
“COVID-19 Heroes Day,’ serves as a constant reminder of the service of these professionals at a time when their dedication and spirit was needed most.”
Doherty added: “Our neighborhood grocery store associates and suppliers consistently display compassion, strength, and leadership, remaining focused on customer service and community support. This resilient workforce truly deserves to be honored and recognized with this day.”
New Jersey’s supermarket workers were also honored as part of a national “Supermarket Employee Day” on February 22.
Two years ago, Joseph Sofia stood before his colleagues at the New Jersey Food Council (NJFC) and proudly accepted the role as the 20th chairman of the statewide trade organization.
Sofia, division manager of Wegmans Food Markets, was prepared to accept a challenge. But he had no idea what was about to emerge, as the pandemic underscored, yet again, the food industry’s critical importance in New Jersey.
“There was no shortage of pressing issues and industry crisis to which the NJFC didn’t rise to the occasion,” Sofia said. “From offering a hybrid calendar of events, to supporting employment legislation that provides much needed relief to members, and engaging in important committee work to set our focus and policies, NJFC and our members have never ceased to amaze me in their vision and perseverance.”
NJFC members lauded Sofia’s leadership for ensuring the NJFC weathered the storm of COVID-19, maintaining strong membership levels, revenue and sponsorships. His guidance also further protected members from proposed policies in Trenton that would prove onerous for the state’s food industry.
Specific achievements include the roll-out of the BagUpNJ campaign, a partnership with the New Jersey Clean Communities Council to educate residents about the May 4, 2022 ban on paper and plastic shopping bags. The NJFC also helped members tackle vaccine and booster distribution and provided guidance on ever-changing COVID restrictions. The NJFC also supported several youth employment laws, grew its scholarship fund, and received a $150,000 state grant to fund a Food Council Food Safety Training program – all under Sofia’s careful stewardship.
Sofia has handed the gavel to Andrew Kent, Executive Vice President of Glass Gardens Shop Rite, now the 21st chairman. Kent is a graduate of NJFC’s first Leadership Development Class in 2014. Recently, Andrew was named by the NJBiz business publication as a next generation business leader in New Jersey.
“It is my intention to follow the path Joe has built and continue to instill the values and principles that have endured from the past 20 chairs before me over the course of the last 53 years,” Kent said.
“Joe is a thoughtful, genuine, and determined leader of the Food Council and he has served as a remarkable ambassador,” added Linda Doherty, president & CEO, NJFC. “It is evident in all the pressing issues we have tackled over the last two years during this unscripted global pandemic.
“Joe united our Board during our toughest days, and we are grateful for his steadfast leadership and heartfelt passion for our business, our associates and the communities we serve,” Doherty said. “Personally, having worked side by side with Joe for the last two years, I am grateful for his insight, calm demeanor, curiosity to understand the policy, emotional intellect and his ability to rally our Board through uncharted times.”
Sworn in by Assemblyman Dan Benson (D-14), the 2022 slate of NJFC Officers include:
View the full event Photo Gallery here.