Richard Saker has officially “handed the gavel” as chairman of the New Jersey Food Council, the organization announced.
Saker’s father, Joseph J. Saker — founder and chairman of the family Saker ShopRites — helped found NJFC 51 years ago.
“My father understood that grocers needed a voice to represent the food industry before government leaders. This vision led to the creation of the New Jersey Food Council, where he was the founding chairman,” Saker said in a statement. “He was a man who could see the big picture clearly.”
The organization’s leaders gave Saker a portrait of him and his father, who died in 2012 at the age of 83, to honor his achievements.
“During my presidency, there was no shortage of pressing issues that the NJFC failed to address,” Saker said. “Choose reuse to confront erroneous government policies, strengthen governance and membership, expand sponsorship, expand financial resources, expand political presence, and solve the single-use bag problem. From launching the campaign, the members have constantly amazed me with their vision and perseverance.”
Joseph Sofia, Divisional Manager of Wegmans Food Markets, replaces Saker, bringing the organization to 20 people.th Chair.
“It is my intention to follow in the footsteps of Richard and continue to instill the values and principles that have been passed down from the 19 chairs before me over the past 51 years,” he said in a statement.
NJFC CEO and President Linda Doherty added: Richard’s bills are on our agenda and the future of New Jersey’s food industry will be an important legacy for our association. ”
NJFC also announced its 2020 officers, including Sophia and Doherty.
- said Mike Biase, divisional sales manager at Mission Foods.
- Suzanne DelVecchio, General Counsel, QuickChek Corp.;
- Andrew Kent, Executive Vice President, Glass Gardens.
- Mike Rothwell, President of Pennington Quality Markets, said: