February 20, 2009

LEONARD LANCE GOES TO WASHINGTON

This week, Linda Doherty, Scott Ross and Suzanne DelVecchio of Quick Chek, met with freshman Congressman Leonard Lance to discuss federal food industry issues. Much of the meeting centered on the proposed “Card Check” proposal and the credit card interchange fee issue. Congressman Lance noted that he is opposed to Card Check, particularly the elimination of the secret ballot. The Congressman is also very supportive of the food industry position on interchange fees and extended an offer of co-sponsorship of the current “Credit Card Fair Fee Act” being discussed in Washington right now. Since the Freshman Congressman serves on the Financial Services Committee that will most likely consider bank interchange proposals, this is encouraging news.

NJFC will provide more information to the Congressman on these two important issues that will likely see congressional action in the near future.

NJFC MEETS ACTING DEP COMMISSIONER

This week, NJFC was part of a meeting between industry executives and new Acting Commissioner of the NJ Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Mark Mauriello. The meeting gave the business community an opportunity to learn of his agenda and plans as DEP leader.

As expected, the Acting Commissioner did not present an ambitious agenda and told the group that the only focus right now is on the New Jersey budget crisis. In fact, the group learned that each declining revenue report to the State Treasurer brings a new round of cuts to the Department so there will not be too much focus on broader agenda items in the short term.

PSEG AND NJFC MEMBERS ADDRESS ENERGY OUTAGE PLANS

This week, NJFC members met with Public Service Electric and Gas (PSEG) representatives to discuss energy restoration plans and priorities. After a healthy exchange of ideas and member concerns during times of power failure, PSEG has agreed to provide members with emergency contact information and instruction during prolonged power outages. The state’s largest utility will also host a Webinar in June for NJFC members only to review these procedures and discuss energy efficiency opportunities.

STATE SHORES UP UNEMPLOYMENT FUND AGAIN

Governor Corzine is redirecting funds to the state’s Unemployment Trust Fund, which pays unemployment insurance benefits to workers who have lost their jobs through no fault of their own.

This is the second such payment ordered by the Governor in the past nine months. In June 2008, $260 million was added to the fund to avoid triggering a business tax increase that would have approached $400 million in July 2008. Another $270 million is being added to help avoid triggering the tax increase this July.

UPDATE ON COOL

The new USDA Secretary Vilsack met with representatives of the meat industry on February 10 to discuss country of origin labeling rules that are set to take effect on March 16. Much to the dismay of food retailers, Secretary Vilsack is expected to make some changes with respect to processed products and meat labeling but as this goes to press, no changes have been announced.

The silence of the USDA may be a good sign for food retailers, however, we strongly urge members to use the next couple of weeks and implement country of origin requirements for every covered commodity.

EFFORTS TO KEEP HANDS OUT OF PAID FAMILY LEAVE TILL STALLS

More than a month after workers began paying into the fund that supports paid family leave insurance, a bill is still pending that would allow voters to put the account in a so-called “lock box.”

On Thursday, February 12, Assemblyman Jay Webber called for the Assembly to move on the legislation. It would keep governors and the Legislature from dipping into money for other uses.

If passed and approved by voters, the measure would also protect other employee and employer contribution funds. That includes the nearly insolvent unemployment insurance fund that governors have tapped to the tune of $4.7 billion.

The bill passed the Senate unanimously last month and has been referred to the Assembly Labor Committee for further action. NJFC will continue to ask members of the Legislature to pass this bill.

FOOD SAFETY AND QUALITY COMMITTEE MEETING TO BE HELD NEXT FRIDAY

The NJFC Food Safety & Quality Committee meeting will hold its next meeting on Friday, February 27, 2009 at 9:30 AM at the Crowne Plaza in Monroe Township, NJ. A continental breakfast will be served.

On the agenda, members will discuss food safety recall issues, USDA listeria survey activity, COOL rules, an FDA industry outreach training program and the Operation Food Distribution grant project. All NJFC members are encouraged to participate. For further information, please contact NJFC at 609-392-8899.

CELEBRATE 40 YEARS OF ADVOCACY AT THE

NIGHT OF DISTINCTION

This year, the biggest event on the NJFC calendar, the Night of Distinction, will also serve as a celebration of our 40th Anniversary which will be held on March 19, 2009 at the Sheraton Meadowlands in East Rutherford. Past founders, chairs and VIPs have been invited to celebrate this special occasion with the NJFC Board of Directors and membership.

During the event, NJFC will be honoring Lawrence R. Inserra, Jr. of Inserra ShopRites, Bill Donahoe of Foodtown, and Lawrence Rothwell of Pennington Quality Market with Industry Achievement Awards. Each year, NJFC honors a distinguished class of food industry leaders who have made a meaningful contribution to advance the mission of the Food Council, have achieved a significant food business success and have a history of civic service within the New Jersey food community.

Please join us in celebrating these fine industry leaders and 40 years of progress on behalf of the food industry. Call NJFC for ticket information.