September usually brings a reset of sorts; a new school year with back to school shopping; the days grow shorter while the leaves change color. Like every other month in 2020, this September is surreal and different. Back to school could mean sitting in front of a laptop or going to school a few days a week or even every day. Either way, it’s not what any of us are used to.
September is also Family Meals Month and Hunger Action Month. With the pandemic still wreaking havoc, families have been eating together for many months now. Even so, Family Meals Month is in full swing in many of our local retailers. At the beginning of the month, ShopRite announced that it has kicked off this year’s celebration with a full slate of new in-store and virtual classes created by its health and wellness team, all designed to help families get more enjoyment out of every meal. Begun in 2015 by the FMI, Family Meals Month highlights the importance of sharing meals together as a family – which research has shown offers benefits such as combating obesity, and contributing to better academic performance and higher self-esteem in kids. This year’s Family Meals Month campaign theme, “Just Add Family,” acknowledges that great family moments don’t require grand meals, they just require togetherness. And we have certainly had lots of that in 2020.
Hunger Action Month is a nationwide campaign to mobilize the public to take action against hunger with the ultimate goal being to end hunger for good. In late August, Philabundance held a virtual town hall with the focus on children and hunger. A child’s chance for a successful adulthood begins with getting enough food to eat each day. The fact is that one in four children are projected to be food insecure in 2020. There are nearly 130,000 school-aged children in Philadelphia who rely on free or subsidized meals at school who will not be returning to physical school this fall. The effect of the COVID-19 pandemic has increased food insecurity in our region. Thankfully, Philabundance has made the commitment to ensure that these children and their families have food on their tables. How can you help end hunger? Go to www.philabundance.org.
To that point, earlier this month, the Acme Markets Foundation presented Philabundance, one of the region’s largest hunger relief organization, with a Nourishing Neighbors grant in the amount of $100,000. The grant, broken up into two parts, will allow Philabundance to purchase baby formula, an item in particular high-demand during the pandemic, and will provide funding for the organization’s COVID-19 relief efforts. Acme has supported Philabundance’s hunger-relief mission for nearly two decades and as of 2020, has provided more than $1 million in monetary donations. Formula, a costly item important for families with infants and babies, is one of the most requested items from agency partners and clients during this time. This grant will allow Philabundance to distribute 800 cases of high-quality formula to Philabundance community partners, including the City of Philadelphia and the Maternity Care Coalition, for direct distribution to families with babies in Bucks, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties.
The New Jersey Food Council (NJFC) is presenting its annual Trade Relations Conference virtually this year. You can read about the specifics of the conference in the Metro Beat column on page 8 of this issue. During the event, the NJFC Max Stone Trade Relations Award, named in honor of the longtime trade relations leader for Best Foods, CPC in recognition of his accomplished career in trade relations in New Jersey, will be given to my colleague, Kevin Gallagher and me. We are honored to accept this recognition of service to the food industry. To register, please go to www.njfoodcouncil.com.
With all the changes at the new Albertsons Mid-Atlantic, which you can read about in Taking Stock, starting on page 1 of this issue, retirements are inevitable. Congratulatory shout-outs to Jay Schneider and Bill Crosby on their recent promotions. Both Jay and Bill have proven their worthiness serving Acme in many positions over the years. Well deserved, guys! Taking a walk into the sunset are Mary Washinko and Dorothy Hamilton, both of whom have been with Acme for their entire careers.
Mary Washinko began her career with Acme in 1975. Her first job was in Pittston, PA working in the deli. She met her husband in the Scranton store a year later. She has worked in the Forty-Fort and the Whippany regions, not to mention at the headquarters in Malvern for many years. Originally trained as a nurse, Mary has done it all: from deli manager to deli and seafood merchandiser/buyer; to bakery merchandiser/buyer; and finally deli sales manager. She was tough but fair and she was happy to teach those who were willing to learn. I include myself in that latter group. She truly loved her job and working in this business. Mary said she looks forward to sleeping in, spending time with her son, Joe, making a few trips, and volunteering at her local hospital. Congratulations on a well-deserved retirement!
Dorothy Hamilton started with Acme in 1985. During her 35 years, Dorothy supported public and government affairs, marketing; merchandising, pharmacy, operations, customer relations and communications. Dorothy and her husband, Michael have four children and two grandchildren. She looks forward to getting more involved in her church, playing the piano, vacationing, and most importantly spending time with her family. Happy trails, Dorothy!
The circle of life continues as we send condolences to the family of James “Jack” Foti of Rosa Foods who passed away on August 25. Jack was the third generation of the Foti family to operate Rosa Food Products, a business started in 1900 on the corner of 13th and Federal Streets in South Philadelphia by his grandfather Giacomo. In fact, the business was named after his grandmother, Rosa. He worked hard his entire life, with his wife Mary and sons Leonard and James by his side, growing the business to a larger footprint outside of the Delaware Valley with exclusive brands and line extensions. Jack enjoyed his home at the shore and his family, especially his grandchildren. He always made you laugh and was always helping others. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him. Jack was predeceased by his parents, Leonard T. and Helen (nee D’Amico). He was the devoted husband of Mary (nee Storniolo) and father of James L. III, Angela (Mark) Beckey and Leonard (Brianna) and five grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister Rosalie (Charles) Morgan, as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins. The family requests that donations be made in his memory to Michael’s Giving H.A.N.D. 1907 S. Broad Street (lower level) Philadelphia, PA 19148, (michaelsgivinghand.org) or Dementia Society of America P.O. Box 600, Doylestown, PA 18901. Rest in peace, my friend.
We also send condolences to Reggie Sanders, Johanna Foods on the death of his father, Carnell Sanders Sr., who passed on September 21 at the age of 91 in South Carolina. Mr. Sanders was a successful contractor and entrepreneur in his hometown of Ware Shoals, SC. He served his country in the U.S. Army as a staff sergeant and fought in the Korean War. He was married to the late Virginia Hodges Sanders. Together they had eight children. He is survived by a large family including 18 grandchildren, 16 great-grands and one great-great-grandchild. Rest in power, Mr. Sanders.
Birthday shout-outs for the family meals month of September go to: Anthony Gigliotti, Boyer’s Markets; Nick Sborlini and Anne Marie Mozzone, both with Acme Markets; Fran Dolan, Herr Foods; Lauren Eni, Dietz & Watson; Joe Gardyan, Utz Snacks; and Ed Elborne, Mt. Olive Pickles. Buon compleanno a tutti!
L’shana Tovah – a sweet new year – to our friends of the Jewish faith as they pray for all of us for a better year ahead.
Quote of the month: “Fearlessness means taking the first step, even if you don’t know where it will take you.” Chadwick Boseman, from his commencement speech at Howard University.
Maria can be reached at 443.631.0172.