METRO BEAT

Kevin is VP at Food Trade News with primary responsibility for covering the Metro NY/NJ and New England markets. He has more than 30 years of experience on the CPG side of the retail food business and in media. He can be reached at [email protected].

Greetings everyone and welcome to the 2021 edition of the Food Trade News annual Market Study issue. While this issue is always an undertaking of gigantic proportions, this year’s edition is certainly eye-opening for those who follow the supermarket industry. All you have to do is mix in a worldwide pandemic that lasts for more than 18 months, extreme and drastic shifts in purchasing habits, sourcing and significant supply issues, labor shortages, mandatory governmental shutdowns and restrictions…do I have to go on??? After you go through the report, I’m sure you’ll agree that this issue is the culmination of a truly monumental team effort. My teammates at Best-Met Publishing once again moved mountains to bring to you and the industry at large, this extensive and in-depth resource to the entire metro New York/New Jersey market, the Greater Philadelphia market and a good chunk of the Northeast U.S.

It offers a wealth of information during these turbulent times and can be beneficial for your business as you navigate through the food industry waters.

I want to personally thank all of the customers, distributors, vendors and our loyal advertisers for your part in assembling this wealth of information. We couldn’t have done it without your assistance.

Advertisement

And just as important, the outstanding team here at Best-Met Publishing Company. Their collective expertise in organizing projects of this magnitude is unmatched. It starts with the our VP and editorial director Terri Maloney, director of sales and marketing/digital strategist Karen Fernandez, VP/general manager and my partner in crime Maria Maggio and our office manager and data accumulator extraordinaire Beth Pripstein. And finally our publisher and ultimate conductor and leader, Jeff Metzger, who puts it all together with a nice ribbon on it for all to enjoy! We hope you find this tool useful for your business.

Well, slowly but surely, more and more industry activities and events are happening in the real world and not just on Skype or Zoom. Key Food Stores added two new accounts to its portfolio of more than 330 stores when a Food Universe opened in New Brunswick, NJ and a Food Fair Fresh Market debuted in Da Bronx. The first to open was the Food Universe located at 20 Elizabeth Street. The new owner is Manny Reyes, who acquired the store from the Estevez family that had operated it as a Foodtown. Manny worked for the Estevezes for many years and decided to make a go of it on his own. He put the 20,000 square foot store under a tremendous renovation, moving departments around the perimeter and adding new meat and seafood departments, larger produce and bakery departments, and a huge international section that offers his customers a variety of items from around the world.

“Manny Reyes has worked incredibly hard to bring this beautiful store to the New Brunswick community,” says VP-of customer development for Key Food Rich French. “Customers are going to be thrilled with everything Food Universe has to offer. ”

New store décor and signage really brighten up the establishment. Truly making it a family affair, Manny’s wife Kiury has taken a leave from her position as a medical doctor to help get the store up and running. “We are so thankful for the community’s ongoing support,” says Reyes. “We’re excited to give back to New Brunswick by bringing a new grocery option to the area and providing new job opportunities.” Good luck to the Reyes family!

The second Key Food opening occurred in the Bronx as Food Fair Fresh Market opened at 2467 Jerome Avenue.  At 15,000 square feet, the new store replaces a Morton Williams store and underwent a million dollar renovation. It will have a huge bakery section with a variety of Mexican cakes, specialty bread, pastries and more all baked on the premises. Customers will enjoy fresh options from the salad bar, juice bar and hot food bar for convenient meal solutions. The seafood counter offers an abundance of fresh lobster, crab, and other fish, as well as frozen alternatives. The meat department has a butcher counter for customers to purchase custom cuts of fresh meat. In the deli department, shoppers will find a full line of Boars Head products, as well as prepared salads and catering options. Across departments, the store boasts a wide selection of international items from Africa, Peru, Ecuador, Mexico, and more, in addition to a variety of vegan alternatives. The produce section offers organic fruits and vegetables, as well as both local and international items.

“Over the last two years, I’ve put in a tremendous amount of time and energy with my co-owner Marvin DeLaCruz, to completely renovate this store,” says co-owner Kent Tavera. “We’re determined to cater to all of the ethnicities of our diverse customers and create a grocery destination where they can find everything they’re looking for all under one roof.”

“Store owners Kent and Marvin have worked so hard to bring a really unique store to this area,” says French. “We’re all very excited about how their vision came to life and to see how much the customers are sure to love it. ” This is Kent Tavera’s eight store overall. He has five in the New York/New Jersey metro area and three in Florida.

The New Jersey Food Council (NJFC) recently announced its 2021 scholarship winners in a program that started 10 years ago and has grown from three scholarships to 21 totaling $62,000. This year’s winners are: NJFC Scholarships – Miriam Nicole Ayala Bonilla, ShopRite of Elizabeth, Kean University; Zachary Dougherty, Saker ShopRite, Monmouth University; Sarah Drongoski, Somers Point ShopRite, Atlantic Cape Community College; Tamara Farrow, Wawa, Stockton University; Lina Maria Larrotta Moya, ShopRite of Elizabeth, Kean University; Matthew Villapiano, Wakefern Food Corporation, Stevens Institute of Technology. Acme Markets Scholarship – Samantha Taylor, Acme Markets, Rutgers University; CBA Industries Scholarships – Haley Fasano, CBA Industries, Marist College, and Alexander Hodanovich, CBA Industries, Bergen Community College; Cuellar Family ShopRites Scholarship – Tatiana Carolina Guzman, Cuellar Family ShopRites, Hudson County Community College; Lawrence R. Inserra Memorial Scholarship – Matthew Pluzsik, Inserra Supermarkets, Ramapo College; Raymond J. Maniaci Scholarship – Kelly Camperson, St. Joseph’s University; QuickChek Corp. Scholarship – Anijah Missouri Franklin, QuickChek, Howard University; Grace Scaduto Memorial Scholarship – Selene Ramirez, Food Circus Supermarkets, Brookdale Community College; Wawa Education Scholarships – Maxwell Goldman, Wawa, Stockton University, and Emily Morton, Wawa, Moore College of Art & Design; Whole Foods Market Scholarships Justin Baraona, Columbia University, Evgenii Ignatov, CUNY, Erin O’Connor, William Paterson University, and Ndey Touray, CUNY. And, the inaugural Robert Powell Memorial Scholarship went to Connor Aleksandrowicz, Allegiance Retail Services, Rutgers University. This last one put a smile on my face as many of you had heard the unfortunate passing of Bob Powell back in January due to COVID complications. Allegiance Retail Services decided to name their scholarship in his memory and the recipient of the award was the son of one of Bob’s best friends and co-workers John Aleksandrowicz or “A-to-Z” as he is affectionately known throughout the industry. Congratulations to all and well done, NJFC!

And kudos to the good folks at Wakefern Food Corp. and Price Rite as they announced the final numbers from the annual Check-Out Hunger fundraising campaign. From November through December 2020, Price Rite Marketplace stores in Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island collected $75,000 through donations at checkout for local food banks to support the fight against hunger during a year where help was needed more than ever. Since the start of the Check-Out Hunger initiative in 2002, Price Rite Marketplace has raised nearly $2 million to fight hunger in the communities its stores serve. The Price Rite Marketplace of Warwick, RI was the top fundraising store, raising more than $8,000 during the campaign. “I want to thank our customers, team members and stores for once again stepping up in the fight against hunger,” said Jim Dorey, president of Price Rite Marketplace. “We live in very uncertain times and our donations are making a difference in the lives of countless individuals and families who may be struggling to put food on the table. ” Price Rite fights food insecurity through its support of local food banks, the annual Check-Out Hunger fundraising campaign and partnership with Feed The Children. Price Rite contributes approximately $500,000 annually to local food banks and food pantries to benefit local families in need within the communities its stores serve. Well done, Jim and the entire Price Rite team!

And while we’re acknowledging charitable donations and good deeds, Stop & Shop’s 31st annual Food for Friends campaign raised more than $2 million for its 12 regional food bank partners to combat summer hunger in the communities it serves.

The big retailer teamed up with Knorr to collect food donations in-store for local hunger relief organizations during the campaign. The intent of the campaign was to prepare for the summer season which can be the hungriest time of year for kids. While during the school year families rely on free or reduced-priced meals at school, they have to buy more food when school is out and children are at home – creating additional financial strain and sometimes forcing them to go hungry. An annual summer donation program, Stop & Shop’s Food for Friends campaign, allows customers at the grocer’s more than 400 stores to donate at checkout to support food insecure families across the Northeast. “We’re humbled by the incredible generosity of our customers who came out to support our Food for Friends program in its 31st year,” said Gordon Reid, president of Stop & Shop. “The outcome of the month-long campaign not only shows the value of communities coming together, but our steadfast commitment to helping our food bank partners provide nutritious food to families in need.”

Throughout May, customers who shopped in stores and online were asked if they would like to round up their total to the nearest dollar or donate an additional $1, $3 or $5, and Stop & Shop donated 100 percent of the change to regional food banks across its footprint. In addition to the in-store and online components of the campaign, customers were also able to donate non-perishable food items such as Knorr rice and pasta sides, cereals and canned goods at the Food for Friends donation bins that are located at each Stop & Shop store to benefit local hunger-relief organizations.

“Unilever’s Knorr brand believes that wholesome, nutritious food should be accessible and affordable to all,” said Christina DiPietro, Unilever team lead. “We are proud to be Stop & Shop’s first manufacturer partner for their annual Food for Friends campaign helping to raise over $2 million to benefit local food banks helping to fight food insecurity in our communities.” Congrats!

Well, that will do it for now. I hope you all enjoy using and utilizing this Market Study issue. There really is no other publication in the country that does a deep dive like this one. If you have any questions or need anything from me you can reach me at 201.250.2217 or [email protected].

Hope to see you soon!!