2020 Wholesaler of the Year

The business structure of Wakefern is something that draws in other industry leaders as well. Greg Ferrara, president and CEO of National Grocers Association, can attest to that for his organization, a partner of Wakefern for several years.

“First and foremost, one of the things I admire so much about Wakefern is they are made up of family-owned businesses,” he said. “And because of NGA and who we represent as independents, family-owned businesses are such an important part of our membership.

“Wakefern is able to use its enormous size and influence to bring about good in the industry and in the communities that they serve, while at the same time, they are able to harness that entrepreneurial spirit, that family-owned business commitment, to keep their stores very, very local, and close to the community. And I think that’s why they’ve been so successful in the areas that they operate in.”

Specific to NGA, Wakefern has been involved in several facets.

ShopRite reimagines Wholesome Pantry packaging and products

Award-winning line can be found in nearly every aisle of all its stores

Greg Ferrara

For starters, the corporation’s leadership has served on NGA’s board of directors. That includes Joe Sheridan, who served as chairman of NGA, and Jeff Reagan, who currently serves as the board’s secretary.

Ferrara added that NGA also holds a close relationship with many of Wakefern’s retailers, many of whom have also served on the board of directors over the years.

“On a personal level, I’ve been very fortunate to have a close relationship with many of our leaders, both in terms of Wakefern the co-op, and also many of their retailers,” he said. “I consider many of them personal friends. Many of them are have been mentors to me and continue to be mentors.

“They’re just an organization that has a very big heart and is always the first in line to step up and give back any way they can to the industry, and I admire that very much. I admire the work that they do for advocacy.

“When they get behind an industry issue, they are willing to put the full muscle of Wakefern and their members stores behind it. That includes grassroots efforts, that includes supporting our political efforts to help get champions elected to Congress [and] that includes bringing a very large contingent of retailers and Wakefern co-op employees to Washington each year for the annual fly in. That makes a huge, huge difference in the success of the industry and how we’re able to advance the causes.”

In addition, Ferrara said Wakefern also has been a tremendous supporter of NGA’s show for several years, helping ensure that the association can provide top-notch educational and networking opportunities for the industry at the event.

Similarly, Wakefern has been “a huge champion” of the NGA foundation as well, helping to attract, train and retain the next generation of leaders in the industry. The corporation has been a longtime supporter of NGA’s Executive Leadership Development Program, as well as the Women Grocers of America.

ShopRite recently announced the expansion and rebranding of its award-winning Wholesome Pantry and Wholesome Pantry Organic product lines that are available at all of its stores in New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Maryland, Delaware and Pennsylvania.

Wholesome Pantry products also will be available at Fresh Grocer stores in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. ShopRite and Fresh Grocer are supermarket banners of Wakefern Food Corp., the largest retailer-owned cooperative in the country.

The popular private label brand of clean ingredient, affordable foods has been reintro duced with an updated look and feel, select new and innovative products, and a fresh tagline, “Food Set Free.”

“We’re thrilled to be introducing a bold new look for this beloved brand,” said Chris Skyers, VP of Own Brands at Wakefern. “Since its debut four years ago, the Wholesome Pantry line has offered delicious, free-from and organic products that are both budget-friendly and accessible. Now we’ve taken it to the next level, updating the brand with even more innovative products that we’re confident our shoppers are going to love.”

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