NJFC Hosts “Data & Digital” Trade Relations Conference at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino

Gary Capozzi Receives Prestigious Jimmy Ostling Trade Relations Award

Leaders from New Jersey’s food retail and distribution businesses gathered in Atlantic City to address the new world order of the food industry with data & digital revolutionizing operations.

Gary Hawkins CEO of CART discusses the future of the food industry.

NJFC 2021 Trade Relations Conference featured a presentation by Gary Hawkins, CEO & Founder of the Center for Advancing Retail & Technology (CART) on the future of technology in the food industry. Gary distilled the complexity of tech-fueled retail innovation into digestible and actionable insights.

(Left to Right): Panelists Robert Jablonski of DoorDash, Ron Onarato of Inserra Supermarkets, and Caroline Masullo of Peapod Digital Labs.

Additionally, the Conference featured an expert panel discussion moderated by Nick Brown of Kraft Heinz Company which consisted of Robert Jablonski of DoorDash, Ron Onarato of Inserra Supermarkets, and Caroline Masullo of Peapod Digital Labs.

“This forum is a unique opportunity for the state’s leaders in the food industry to discuss challenges, collaborations, and innovations in the food space,” said NJFC President and CEO Linda Doherty. “Our keynote speaker and panel really captured the minds of our member audience and provided a pathway for food industry members to evolve post-COVID-19 as new shopping habits such as online sales, home and personalized delivery, and curbside pickup are here to stay.”

NJFC President Linda Doherty (left) and NJFC Associate Vice Chair Mike Biase (right) present the Jimmy Ostling Trade Relations Award to Gary Capozzi of PepsiCo (center right) with Jimmy Ostling (center left).

Additionally, Gary Capozzi, Key Account Manager of PepsiCo, was honored with the first ever NJFC Jimmy Ostling Trade Relations Award. Doherty said, “Gary Capozzi represents outstanding leadership in trade relations. His partnership with the Food Council and the insights he provides as a member of the NJFC Trade Relations Committee are invaluable to the advancement of trade partnerships in the food industry.” The conference concluded with an industry-wide golf outing at Seaview Golf Club.

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 200,000 associates in NJ. For more information, visit www.njfoodcouncil.com.