NJFC Hosts Annual Membership Meeting with Special Message from Gov. Murphy

Joe Sofia of Wegman’s has been handed the gavel for another year to serve as chair of the New Jersey Food Council during the association’s annual membership meeting recently, Also, during the virtual program, Gov. Phil Murphy, whose proactive policies in 2020 helped NJFC members’ businesses remain strong, amplified the sentiment, in a special video message.

In accepting the role for a second year, Sofia was quick to note that he became chair just before the pandemic hit the state. No one in the industry could have expected what would happen next, as the food supply chain faced an unprecedented and immediate challenge.

“I would like to express a heartfelt thank you to all of the members who unselfishly came together to help strengthen and grow the New Jersey Food Council during this crisis,” Sofia said. “From protecting our lifeline workforce to pushing back against onerous new taxes and regulation, our members have never ceased to amaze me in their vision and perseverance.”

This year, the NJFC will see the expanded roll-out of the “Choose to Reuse” campaign to educate shoppers statewide about the need to bring their own bags. Moreover, supermarkets with pharmacies will soon be administering COVID vaccine, underscoring, again, their ongoing contributions to the communities they serve.

“While I am grateful for your confidence and support over this past year, there is still much work to be done,” Sofia said. “We continue to rely on industry engagement and inclusion, and your effort is needed now more than ever to stand together as business leaders, NJFC members and one voice for our food industry.”

During the meeting, NJFC members expressed their appreciation to Sofia for his leadership during such a turbulent time. He was applauded as a thoughtful, genuine and determined leader, as well as a remarkable ambassador.

Sworn in by state Agriculture Secretary Doug Fisher, the Officers include:

Joe Sofia, Wegmans Food Markets                              Chairman
Andrew Kent, Glass Gardens ShopRite                        Vice Chairman
Mike Biase, Mission Foods                                            Associate Vice Chairman
Michael Rothwell, Pennington Quality Market               Treasurer
Suzanne Delviccio, QuickChek                                     Secretary
Linda Doherty, NJ Food Council                                   President & CEO

“As we take a look back, 2020 was an extraordinary period of time,” said Doherty, NJFC President. “It will be remembered as the `Year of the Virus’ and how it unexpectedly unhinged our lives, upended the food business, challenged the food supply chain and changed the way members do business. It was through strength, resolve and innovation that NJFC members rolled with every punch and exceeded the needs of New Jersey customers.”

From food retailers, convenience stores, manufacturers, brokers, wholesalers and suppliers, every facet of the food business was overwhelmed by the spread of an unpredictable illness, an uncertain public and waves of government mandates and restrictions, she said.

“This inconceivable crisis is thought by some as our darkest days but in hindsight I consider our finest hours,” Doherty said. “The common thread was the resiliency of the essential workforce and the tenacity of leadership in the New Jersey grocery business. Our supermarket heroes, frontline manufacturers, food truck delivery services, supplier community and convenience store workers showed up every single day under the threat of an invisible enemy.”

Doherty also noted NJFC was successful in supporting a new law that will ban both paper and plastic single-use bags after years of hard work. NJFC also saved state Clean Communities funding during the budget cycle as well as stopped various proposed taxes.

During the event, the NJFC also paid tribute to a friend. After more than 40 years as a prominent and engaged leader in the NJFC and Food Council Committee for Good Government, Joe Pagano retired from the NJFC Board of Directors and PAC Board of Governors.

NJFC also unveiled its 2021 sponsors, a premier group of members who have made a financial and organizational commitment to advance the association’s mission in Trenton. Platinum sponsors include Acme, Allegiance Retail Services, Inc., Bimbo, Pepsico, Stop&Shop, Wegmans and Whole Foods Market.