After a somewhat sleepy winter, the food industry is getting back into full swing with in-person office appointments, trade shows and golf outings scheduled after too long a break. It’s going to be a busy season and I can’t wait to see many of you out and about in the trade. To make sure you don’t miss a beat, check out our Trade Calendar on page 2.
What better way to send winter packing than to throw a birthday party! The world’s best- selling and most addicting cookie, the Oreo, celebrated 110 years of tummy filling, milk dunking, twisting and pure deliciousness on March 6. The popular snack was first sold on that date in 1912 by the National Biscuit Company (Nabisco) to a grocery store in Hoboken, NJ. Okay, so it’s not the healthiest thing one can eat, but it’s technically vegan without even trying (the crème has no dairy in it, hence the spelling) and it’s one of life’s best guilty pleasures. To celebrate this milestone birthday, Oreo went to a whole new level; a new limited-edition cookie the Oreo Chocolate Confetti Cake Cookie was introduced earlier this year. It has sprinkles everywhere, both in and on the cookie (a first for Oreo), boasts the original crème center plus a chocolate crème and comes in a shiny silver package. The anniversary package has 24 cookies and retails for about $3.79. The regular package of Oreo cookies holds 36 cookies and retails for about the same, I would call this shrinkflation-ish as Oreo is slated to raise prices seven percent this year. Either way, they’re worth the splurge!
South Jersey ShopRite owner David Zallie has confirmed that Zallie-Somerset, Inc., which operates 11 ShopRites in New Jersey and Philadelphia, will be replacing two of their stores with new ground-up stores. The Laurel Hill ShopRite on Blackwood-Clementon Road will be moving 3/4 of a mile west to a location formerly occupied by Kmart in the Cherrywood Plaza Shopping Center. Additionally, Zallie-Somerset is developing a new ShopRite in Woolwich in the Center Square Plaza, which means the Gibbstown store will be closing. The Glassboro store is currently undergoing major renovations with a grand reopening scheduled for later this year. The corporate offices will remain in Clementon. The replacements will be substantially larger (more than 75,000 square feet each) in order to provide the best possible shopping experience Zallie-Somerset shoppers have come to know. ShopRite from Home will have 1,500 square feet dedicated to the increasing e-commerce business in each location. The focus will be on Zallie’s Fresh Kitchen products, especially the decorated/special occasion cake program and an expanded catering menu. Both locations are expected to open in 2023, coincidentally the 50th anniversary of the opening of the first Zallie supermarket on Somerset Street in the Port Richmond section of Philadelphia. Congratulations!
Earlier this month, The Giant Company (TGC) celebrated the achievements of team members at its annual business meeting. Seventeen awards were presented recognizing the recipients’ commitment to the company and their efforts to connect families for a better future. “Over the past year, our team members once again went to great lengths to care for one another, their customers, and communities,” said Nicholas Bertram, president, TGC. “It’s an incredible honor to celebrate these outstanding leaders who serve as role models for living The Giant Company’s purpose, values and promises, through leadership, support and outstanding performance.”
The 2022 award recipients include “Store of the Year,” which awarded to the store in each of the company’s operating divisions that best demonstrates operational excellence and lives the company’s values, bringing them to life by actively engaging its customers and team members. In the Mid-Atlantic division, the Giant at 136 Kline Village in Harrisburg led by Jill Gingrich and her store team, and in the Greater Philadelphia division, the Northern Liberties Giant Heirloom Market at 1002 North Second Street in Philadelphia led by Tom Gana and his store team, were both recognized as the top stores of the year. The “Category of the Year” award has two sub categories: center store and fresh. For center store, the award went to the beverage category, managed by Katie Cunningham, and for fresh the award went to prepared foods, led by Rob Palmeri. “Retail Team Member of the Year” was presented to Mary Marchiondo, bakery manager at the Giant in Pottstown, PA. “Distribution Center Team Member of the Year” was presented to two deserving honorees at the company’s Perishable Distribution Center in Carlisle, PA, Ryan Finkey, selector, and Jeremy Zeigler, selector. “E-commerce Team Member of the Year,” a new award in 2022, was presented to Deitra Dandridge, team member relations coordinator, Willow Grove, PA, e-commerce wareroom. “Transportation Team Member of the Year,” also a new award this year, was posthumously awarded to Randy Smith, a tractor trailer driver for the company’s Perishable Distribution Center in Carlisle, PA. “Support Center Team Member of the Year” was awarded to Ron Hawes, director of store operations. “Simplify Shopping” was presented to Kim Taylor, manager of in-store brand integrity. “Inspiring Fresh Ideas” was presented to Mike Reedy, specialist of field merchandising. “Creating Healthier Communities” was presented to Leigh Shirley, director of pharmacy operations. “Grow Through New Opportunities” was awarded to Angel Cordero, e-commerce facility manager, Philadelphia. “Make a Difference,” awarded to a team member who has volunteered and connected with a nonprofit organization to make communities stronger, was presented to Richard Smith, center store merchandising manager. “Be You,” awarded to a team member that demonstrates the value of care and creates an inclusive environment where they value all voices heard and a sense of belonging for all, was presented to Deavan Ebersole, assistant store manager of fresh, at the Martin’s in Charles Town, WV.
Rounding out the company’s awards program, the “Presidents’ Award” was presented to the amazing and deserving Jessica Fischer, store manager at the Riverwalk Giant, TGC’s urban flagship store in Philadelphia. This award is TGC’s highest honor presented annually and is voted upon by all the company’s living past presidents including Rick Herring, Tom Lenkevich, Allan Noddle, Tony Schiano, Carl Schlicker and Sander van der Laan. This prestigious award recognizes an individual who consistently delivers exceptional performance, contributes to the organization’s success in countless ways, is a role model for the company’s values, and brings the company’s purpose to life in all that they do. Nick Bertram said it best: “I couldn’t be more honored to present this year’s ‘Presidents’ Award’ to Jessica for her many contributions to The Giant Company over the past year and her more than 20 years with the company. Last year, despite facing challenge after challenge, she never once gave up; in fact, it was during those times she shined the brightest. Her care and courage really stood out to all of us. Jessica doesn’t just care for her team; she puts her team as the most important part of her work. Congratulations, Jessica!” Kudos to all the winners and to TGC for taking the time to acknowledge their accomplishments.
March is Women’s History month. We all know that women are the stronger sex and quite frankly, if men had to give birth, the human race would be extinct. Such is the power of women. When we put our minds to something, nothing can stop us. The Delaware Valley is home to many of these amazing women. One in particular did not have the intention of creating an organization that would grow to service thousands of senior citizens in the five-county Philadelphia area. Rita Ungaro-Schiavone’s story shows how one person with an idea and determination can make a difference. Many years ago, Rita worked for the Cardinal’s Commission on Human Relations at the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. While there, she founded the Community Food Distribution Program. After leaving the Archdiocese, Rita worked with seniors as a volunteer at the Frankford YMCA. Struck by the isolation and desperate needs of those she encountered, Rita began bringing frozen home-cooked meals with her as she visited. Many of the seniors Rita met with had serious health issues that were exacerbated by emotional distress, lack of human interaction, and an inadequate diet. So, she did what any compassionate woman would do, she enlisted volunteers from her parish, St. Jerome’s, and the Frankford YMCA to help her help them. Rita expanded awareness of the dilemma, speaking to community groups and church congregations throughout the city and suburbs of Philadelphia. She grew her organization, Aid for Friends, now known as Caring for Friends, from its fledgling roots in one small section in Northeast Philadelphia to its current, much larger location further north but still in Philadelphia. And, she did it while raising her family! Thanks to Rita’s leadership, the efforts of 16,000 volunteers have provided more than 16 million meals to over 14,000 grateful client friends, and now has a network of more than 250 meal centers. In addition to the home visits and meal deliveries, Caring for Friends provides aid and advocacy, including caregiver support, safety assessments, and other assistance, to help seniors remain in their own homes and maintain their independence. Unfortunately, Rita passed away in 2017, but her legacy lives on through those who continue her mission. Her son Vince Schiavon is the CEO of the organization. He said, “Mom understood the value of bringing community members together to serve their neighbors in the most dire of circumstances. She believed no one should be hungry or alone in a world of caring people — and she did something about it. What she started by serving just one person out of our Northeast home in 1974 has grown over 48 years to serve almost 10,000 homebound people, thousands of people facing homelessness on the streets and in shelters, as well as individuals and families in need through over 200 community-based organizations. And it’s still just beginning.”
Caring for Friends is looking for food donors, volunteers in our kitchen or yours, and truck and volunteer meal delivery drivers to meet our mission of ensuring no one goes hungry or alone in a world of caring people. Visit caringforfriends.org.
A tip of the hat to Mark Smith, general manager of the Philadelphia Wholesale Produce Market (PWPM) who was named Market Manager of the Year by the National Association of Produce Market Managers (NAPMM) at their annual conference, held earlier this month. The award recognizes a market manager for their work and accomplishments at their respective market. All entries are judged on overall accomplishments, with measurable outcomes being heavily weighed.
“Mark was a clear choice for this award,” said James R. Farr, NAPMM president. “Under his leadership as GM for the Philadelphia Wholesale Produce Market, he cut costs and streamlined facility operations including maintenance, security, and food safety. Most importantly, he has innovated ways to reduce food waste by partnering with area food banks to drastically increase food donations and decrease waste. Since July of 2021, over 3 million lbs. of produce have been donated to local community hunger organizations and diverted from the waste stream.” Mark has shown himself to be a true leader at a time when the PWPM needed him. Well deserved, Mark!
Celebrating another trip around the sun this windy month of March are: Dan Croce, Sprouts Farmers Markets; Jeff Brown and Sandy Brown, Brown’s Super Stores; Bill Sumas, Village Super Markets; Bill Carter, Knauss Foods; Dave Andrews, Kreider Farms; Bob Unanue, Goya Foods and Ed Burda, retired from Utz Snacks. Buon compleanno a tutti!
Quote of the month: “When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace.” Jimi Hendrix
Maria can be reached at [email protected] or 443-631-0172