Hurricane Sandy may have forced the Mid Atlantic Food Trade Organization (MAFTO) to postpone the annual dinner dance this year honoring Christopher Michael of AWI, but more than 400 industry notables found their way back to Atlantic City the weekend of March 15 to celebrate. The weekend was full of food, dancing, gambling, singing (more about that in a minute) and camaraderie. For those of you who are new to our publication, MAFTO is a food industry trade organization, the result of many mergers over the years, that raises money to give it away in many ways, including college scholarships, needy children and industry members in dire straits. Membership is free in 2013 so you are invited to register at www.mafto.org and join in the fun. Speaking of fun, the Friday night dance party at this year’s dinner dance weekend featured some former closet singers in the food biz. Dietz and Watson’s Steve Riley and Herr Foods’ Ray Nemeth made their singing debut to rousing applause. Of course Mark Tarzwell, Ahold USA, made his annual appearance crooning his favorite tunes. This year’s breakout performer was Jay Gordon of Sales Management Partners, who as it turns out isn’t new to performing at all. Jay has been acting and singing since he was about six years old, performing on “The Children’s Hour” back in the day. His parents gave him acting lessons and he subsequently participated in many school shows and glee clubs. Jay and his friends formed a doo-wop group called the Jennels in 1964. Danny of Danny and the Juniors made them an offer to sign the group to a recording contract, but the Vietnam War intervened. His friends were drafted and the group disbanded. Jay continued to sing in doo-wop shows but his dad, Sam Gordon, persuaded (read insisted) that he join the family business. His love of music has never waned and as he enters his 50th year in the brokerage business he still performs when he can. So, Jay, I hope to hear you at many more MAFTO events. You were really terrific!
Last month I wrote about passion in the food industry. I wasn’t sure if I would hear about it again any time soon, but at the New Jersey Food Council’s (NJFC) Night of Distinction Awards Ceremony honoring Louis Scaduto Jr. of Food Circus Supermarkets, Jason Ravitz of Ravitz Family Markets and Michael Rothwell of Pennington Quality Market, I was left speechless by the emotion and passion with which each awardee spoke. With more than 430 in attendance, these three men spoke from the heart about their experiences in the supermarket business. Phil Scaduto introduced his brother Louis, telling the crowd, “set goals and follow your passion, that’s what Lou does.” Lou spoke sincerely about how Hurricane Sandy affected their business. They were shut down for 17 days and people and customers came from everywhere to help them get back into business. The brothers are the third generation of their family to operate supermarkets with the fourth generation coming up behind them. Joe Sheridan, CEO of Wakefern, introduced Jason, who at 41 years of age is part of that fourth generation of Ravitzes to be in the business. Joe introduced Jason as the first of 70 “Simbas” (as they call the next generation of Wakefern members) to be honored by the NJFC. Jason, in turn, thanked everyone, and dedicated his award to his grandfather, Stanley, a man who was truly loved by his customers and “who taught me how to be a merchant and how to sell anything.” Mike was introduced by his father, Larry Rothwell, who was so proud to tell Mike’s story. He graduated from Saint Joe’s in 1978 and went with P&G after graduation until 1990 when he made the choice to enter the family business. Mike told us that the supermarket business is a “great business to be in” and that the passion and love for the business came from his father’s love for the business. All three men are more than active in their respective communities and with NJFC. They give back for all that they have been given and take none of it for granted.
A tip of the hat to the generous customers of Giant/Carlisle and Martin’s, who recently donated $587,545 at the checkout to support local hunger relief efforts through the grocers’ Bag Hunger campaign, the first of two in-store Bag Hunger campaigns the retailer conducts annually; the second will coincide with September’s Hunger Action Month. “Hunger is a reality for far too many, affecting 1 in 6 Americans,” said Rick Herring, president. “We are thankful for the generosity of our customers, associates and vendors who donated to our recent Bag Hunger campaign. Together we can fight hunger in our local communities and assist our local neighbors in providing them with a nutritious meal.” Major recipient food banks in our area include the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank, Philabundance, Second Harvest Food Bank of Lehigh Valley, Greater Berks County Food Bank, and the Water Street Rescue Mission in Lancaster. In 2012, hunger relief efforts and donations to regional food banks accounted for approximately 40 percent of the Giant/Carlisle division’s community giving with nearly 100 regional food banks and local pantries receiving $10 million in product, customer, vendor, and corporate donations. Kudos to Laura Williams, SVP and deputy genera counsel at Ahold USA, who was named an award recipient in the 2013 Women of Influence Awards by Central Penn Business Journal. Williams was selected as one of the top nominees by judges for her leadership and achievements within AholdUSA, as well as her contributions to the community. As an award winner, Williams will be recognized at an event on Monday, May 13 at the Hilton Harrisburg.
The 10th Annual Brassell Foundation Golf Outing has been scheduled for Monday, August 19, 2012, at Northampton Valley Country Club. The fun begins with a 12:30 p.m. shotgun start and is followed by a buffet dinner and prize raffles. The Brassell Foundation awards scholarships each year to students entering high school and to date has given 62 scholarships. In addition, the foundation has provided funding for several youth groups and families in need, with more than $100,000 donated to date. “The golf outing is our only fundraiser of the year and we have been blessed to have so many attend, either by golfing or just coming out to the dinner,” said Neil Brassell III, Country Pure Foods and son of Neil Brassell Jr., for whom the foundation is named. Neil recently told me about his dad, who was the offensive line coach at both Roman Catholic High School andCardinalDoughertyHigh School. He passed away in 1998. and his family wanted to honor his involvement with youth activities and sports, so the foundation was formed and now many high school children benefit from the generosity of former students, friends and family, not to mention members of the food industry. For more information or to register, go to: www.angelfire.com
John Ruane, SVP-fresh merchandising for Ahold USA, will be the featured dinner speaker during the New Jersey Food Council (NJFC) Trade Relations Conference to be held June 5-6 at The Borgata in Atlantic City. The reception and program will be held from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. John will share his industry expertise with attendees as he presents on the current state of the food industry in New Jersey during the event’s NJFC Executives Reception and Awards program. Also, during the event, Mike Sullivan, VP of the New Jersey market unit of Coca-Cola Refreshments USA, will be honored with the New Jersey Food Council Max Stone Trade Relations Award. “With 30 years of beverage industry experience and his continuous dedication to the advancement of the industry, Mike is an incredibly deserving recipient of this prestigious trade award,” said NJFC president Linda Doherty. “Mike has forged relationships and built a longstanding career through his professional and volunteer work, always providing superior service to vendors and clients while displaying a vigorous spirit for advancing trade relationships and helping clients overcome challenges.” 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 inNew Jersey. For more information, please go to: www.njfoodcouncil.com
The Network of Executive Women (NEW) Philadelphia Chapter held a rescheduled panel discussion, “Swimming With the Big Fish; Practical Tips for Success in Today’s Sales-oriented Markets” on April 10 at the Adventure Aquarium in Camden, NJ. The mission of NEW is: ”to attract, retain and advance women in the consumer products and retail industry through education, leadership and business development,” but much of what was discussed by the panel can be applied to both genders. To that point, the audience had a sprinkling of men, including Acme Markets’ Dan Croce, who was all smiles, and Jim Mullen, Giant/Carlisle. Saint Joseph’s University also brought female students majoring in food marketing. The panelists, including Elise Gautier of Deloitte & Touche, Suzanne Sears of Kimberly-Clark, Brian Fischel of Campbell’s and John Saidnawey of JOH, spoke about how the bottom line is that people still matter in this business.
Continuing the circle of life we send out bouquets of happiness and best wishes to Justine Giordano, Vincent Giordano Corp., and David Carlin, who were married on April 13 at Saint John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church in Center City Philadelphia followed by a reception at the Loews Hotel. The happy couple is honeymooning in the Cayman Islands. Justine is the daughter of Guy Giordano, Vincent Giordano Corp. Congratulations!!
Sad news to report: industry veteran Al Polakoff passed away on March 7 at the age of 88. Raised in South Philadelphia, Al became a pillar of the Atlantic City business community, operating his family’s wholesale food business, Benjamin Polakoff and Son, which employed many Atlantic City area residents. In 1992 Al sold his business to Sysco. He will always be remembered for his honesty, hard work and most of all for taking care of his entire family. Fondly known as “Uncle Al” he lived a wonderful, “full of life” existence, loved by all who knew him. Nobody ever made a better Sunday brunch; it was an invitation sought after by many. He was pre-deceased by his loving wife of 60 years, Mae and his beloved sister, Mollie. He is survived by his wife, Sharon, sister Claire Soloman, three daughters, and many grandchildren and great grandchildren. Rest in peace my friend.
Birthday shout-outs for the rainy month of April go out to: Ed Herr, Herr Foods; Terry Lowden, JOH; Charlie Poletti, Acosta; Jack Foti, Rosa Foods; Ron Benjamin, Pro-Star Marketing; Larry Weaver, DFA and Kevin Cook, Nestle DSD. Buon Compleanno a tutti! Celebrating married bliss this month are: Stephen and Alana Raiola, Farmland Dairies; Larry and Jutta Weaver, DFA; and Diane and Doug Buchanan, Brandywine Marketing. Happy Anniversary!
Quote of the month: “Pennies don’t fall from heaven, they have to be earned here on earth.” Margaret Thatcher
Maria can be reached at: mmaggio@best-met.com
