NJFC will host its prestigious “Night of Distinction” reception on Wednesday, May 15 at 5:30 p.m. at The Palace at Somerset Park, Somerset, NJ. The event, with its powerful slate of honorees, draws more than 500 guests, including prominent food industry executives across the region.
“This is the perfect time to celebrate the industry and its leaders who have made such significant contributions to advance one of New Jersey’s most important business sectors,” said Linda Doherty, president & CEO, NJFC. “The 2024 honorees have all achieved significant food business success and have a history of civic service within the New Jersey food community. It is our honor to celebrate them with our annual Industry Achievement Awards.”
This year’s honorees are: Neil Greenstein of Brookdale ShopRite and ShopRite of Newark, Stew Leonard, Jr. of Stew Leonard’s and Samer Rahman of Allegiance Retail Services.
Neil Greenstein, a third-generation grocer, is proud of his heritage in the industry. His grandparents opened the family’s first supermarket in Bloomfield in 1948 and joined the Wakefern cooperative in 1952. His family’s two ShopRite stores employ more than 800 people and he calls his stores “the supermarkets with a heart.”
Newark leaders credit Greenstein with being a community partner, giving of his time and resources to become an integral part of the city and the redevelopment of Newark. This includes his involvement with organizations like The Greater Newark Conservancy, the Boys and Girls Club of Newark and NJPAC.
Greenstein also supports the Foley Field Foundation, Bloomfield Educational Foundation, and The Human Needs Food Pantry, as well as a supporter of ShopRite Partners In Caring, Wakefern Food Corp.’s signature hunger-fighting initiative that helps organizations fighting food insecurity. Greenstein is an officer on the Board of Wakefern Food Corp., the National Grocers Association and sits on the Board of The Kessler Foundation.
Stew Leonard, Jr. is President & CEO of Stew Leonard’s, a 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.
He took over as president and CEO in 1991 and grew the company from one retail food store in Norwalk, CT to seven stores across Connecticut, New York and New Jersey, as well as eight family-owned wine stores. Stew Leonard’s welcomes more than 20 million customers a year, employs more than 2,500 team members and has annual sales exceeding $550 million.
Stew Leonard’s has been dubbed “The Disneyland of Dairy Stores” by The New York Times for its in-store entertainment and listed in the Guinness Book of World Records for having “the greatest sales per unit area of any single food store in the United States.” The Leonard family has also been recognized for building a successful, multi-generational family business.
Samer Rahman is Vice President and Chief Merchandising Officer at Allegiance Retail Services. He joined the company in 2013, initially as the Director of Meat & Seafood and moved up to Vice President of Perishables and Vice President of Center Store.
“My venture into the Grocery Retail Sector began in 1988, marking a substantial 35-year career filled with diverse experiences,” Rahman said. “My extensive management roles span both independent supermarket retail and major corporate supermarket chains, including nearly two decades of dedicated service at Pathmark and A&P. These experiences have equipped me with a deep understanding of the industry and a commitment to driving excellence in merchandising and leadership.”
During The Night of Distinction event, guests will enjoy an industry recognition ceremony, delectable cuisine, live music, cigar lounge, and a silent auction that supports the NJFC Educational Development Scholarship Program. Register here.
Contact NJFC at njfc@njfoodcouncil.com to learn about sponsorship opportunities.
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.