New Jersey Food Council
30 West Lafayette St., Trenton, NJ 08608
Phone: 609/392-8899
Fax: 609/396-6571
Email: njfc@njfoodcouncil.com

2007 Event Sponsorship Program Grows! ≠ Are You on this List?

NJFC is proud to report the following companies as elite sponsors of NJFC

The Event Sponsorship program will continue to include four levels of sponsorship that will entitle companies to a pre-determined number of tickets to NJFC events, including the Annual Meeting, Night of Distinction, Trade Relations Conference and the Golf Outing. In addition, event sponsors will receive recognition in NJFC publications such as the News & Views and the quarterly newsletter ExpressLine, as well as acknowledgement in promotional materials and placement on banners at NJFC events. Sponsors are considered premium supporters of NJFC.

Please register now if your company wants to join this prestigious list of 2007 sponsors.

Gold Sponsors
- Acme Markets
- Edyπs Grand Ice Cream
- George Weston Bakeries
- Pathmark Stores, Inc.
- Stop & Shop Supermarkets
- Wakefern Food Corporation

Silver Sponsors
- Foodtown
- Inserra Supermarkets
- Saker ShopRites
- Supervalu
- Unilever
- Village Super Markets

Bronze Sponsors
- Goya Foods
- Kings Super Markets
- Quick Chek Food Stores
- Wiss & Company

Brass Sponsors
- McCaffreyπs Markets
- Murphyπs Markets of South Jersey
- Pennington Quality Markets
- ShopRite of Hunterdon County, Inc.
- Wegmans Food Markets, Inc.

NJFC Announces Night of Distinction Honorees

The New Jersey Food Council will be honoring Dean Durling of Quick Chek, Judy Spires of Acme and Joel Perlmutter of Perlmart ShopRites with Industry Achievement awards at the 2007 Night of Distinction event.

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. NJFC is proud to pay tribute to these industry leaders who have helped NJFC to become one of the finest food trade associations in New Jersey and throughout the country.

The Night of Distinction event will be held on March 22, 2007 at the Sheraton Meadowlands in East Rutherford and will again feature the popular Texas Poker exhibition. Please join us in celebrating these fine industry achievers.

Jim Ostling of George Weston Bakeries to be Honored at trade Relations Conference

The NJFC Trade Relations Committee will be honoring Jim Ostling of George Weston Bakeries with the 2007 Max Stone Award at this yearπs Trade Relations Conference to be held on May 17 & 18, 2007 at the Borgata in Atlantic City.

≥Jimπs strength of character exemplifies the criteria the committee uses when determining a recipient of the Max Stone honor,≤ said NJFC President Linda Doherty. ≥His integrity and commitment to promoting trade relationships makes him a perfect recipient for 2007.≤

This yearπs event will once again feature 18 holes of spectacular golf at the elite Galloway National Golf Club. We look forward to seeing you there.

State Court Releases Dairy Ruling

This week, the State Appellate Division handed down a mixed decision regarding the State Department of Agricultureπs regulation to create a 76 cent per hundredweight premium for rBST free milk and a fuel surcharge of 39 cents per hundredweight to compensate dairy farmers for high fuel costs, which have raised the cost of doing business in New Jersey. The lawsuit was filed by the New York State Dairy Foods Association, which represents milk processors in New Jersey.

The NJ Appellate Court has rejected a premium for rBST free milk citing that the State Department of Agriculture did not adequately justify a premium for hormone free milk however upheld the fuel surcharge imposed by the Department. This decision represents a mixed bag for NJFC members who could feel the impact of a fuel surcharge.

NJFC participated in hearings and testified before the Department of Agriculture in opposition to an Over Order Premium and the imposition of a fuel surcharge, however has remained on the sidelines during the lawsuit. In addition, NJFC is developing a Dairy Task Force that will work to review regulatory dairy issues. We encourage members with dairy interests to participate on this Task Force.

NJFC Meets with Senator Karcher

NJFC met with Senator Karcher earlier this week to discuss her bill that would ban the use of trans fat prepared and served in food establishments throughout New Jersey. At the meeting, NJFC advocated the right of consumer choice, while providing information on market trends and the science behind trans fat and other stabilizers used in the food industry. Although trans fat may be currently used in food preparation, the industry has been making significant strides to find suitable substitutes in order to provide high quality food consistent with consumers demand

In addition, NJFC supports the report issued by the State Obesity Prevention Task Force, which has developed comprehensive solutions to combat obesity throughout the State. The report does not recommend food bans or restrictions but rather advocates healthy lifestyles, community based programs and a balanced diet.

Senator Karcher explained her intention to push her bill, however NJFC does not believe this legislation is on leadershipπs agenda. NJFC will oppose this initiative to ensure the food industry is not unfairly targeted by harmful legislation.

New Congress Sworn In

This week, Democrats took control of both Houses of Congress for the first time in 12 years. In the House, Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi of California has taken over as Speaker and is the first female ever to hold that position. Senator Harry Reid of Nevada holds the top position in the Senate as Majority Leader.

The new leadership has outlined an ambitious plan for the first 100 legislative hours of the new Congress. Included in the initial Democratic priorities are a significant increase in the Federal minimum wage, amendments to Congressional spending rules that would require pay-as-you-go budgeting to eliminate the deficit, implementation of the 9/11 Commission security recommendations, ethics reform, elimination of subsidies for oil companies, increased aid for college tuition, changes to the Medicare prescription drug program and promoting stem cell research.

While it is likely many of these proposals will be sent to the Presidentπs desk, which ones will be finalized into law remains to be seen. NJFC will continue to monitor the action and report to the members any new developments regarding a potential increase in the Federal minimum wage, as well as other issues important to business and the food industry.

Collection of Personal Information from NJ Digital Drivers Licenses

The New Jersey Attorney Generalπs Office has released a statement regarding the use of bar code readers that scan and capture personal information from digitized driverπs licenses of patrons who use a digital license to verify their age.

Please be advised that New Jersey law prohibits the retention of information gathered from a digital driverπs license. It is permissible to scan or swipe a New Jersey digital license to verify identity or age, however it is unlawful to retain or store this information.

Photos Galore

Don't forget to check out our library page to view photographs from our events including our recent Loss Prevention Conference & Exhibition.