I want to begin by wishing you all warm holiday greetings. This season reminds us of the importance of reflection, gratitude and connection with one another. I do hope this time brings us all peace, joy, and good health as we look ahead together to 2026.
We heard that Associated Supermarket Group (ASG) turned the Garden City Hotel in Garden City, Long Island into the Roaring ‘20s for its annual holiday dinner. ASG welcomed more than 350 attendees to celebrate the night away and see Jose Grullon named as the Retailer of the Year and Apple & Eve/Lassonde as the Partner of the Year. Jose was recognized for his more than three decades of leadership, entrepreneurship, and deep commitment to the neighborhoods he and his team serve with their Antillana Supermarkets. Apple & Eve received its honor for showing up all the ASG retailers all year long, investing in marketing, promotions, and in-store execution. Great night!
We may be in the throes of bitter cold and bundling up, but here’s something to get you thinking warm thoughts – World Cup 2026. The World Cup Games will be played throughout North America, but the final match and some group play will be held at Met Life Stadium in the Meadowlands in East Rutherford, NJ. Flag Cities 2026 is a series of fan-festival celebrations that will be held in the days leading up to the World Cup games at MetLife Stadium. It is designed to give local residents and regional visitors a vibrant, soccer-infused atmosphere, and will be delivering food, music, entertainment, and authentic cultural connections from each visiting team at sites across the Meadowlands Region.
And it shouldn’t surprise anyone that Goya Foods will be the presenting sponsor and will serve as the culinary and cultural centerpiece of Flag Cities, elevating each festival with international food and beverage sampling and among other activations.
Also in 2026, Goya will celebrate its 90th anniversary as the largest Hispanic-owned food company in the United States. Through its presence at Flag Cities, Goya will honor its nine decades of heritage, family tradition, and cultural celebration, bringing its mission of nourishing communities and connecting people through food to fans from around the world.
“For nearly a century, Goya has built deep roots in communities across New Jersey and the nation. Flag Cities reflects that same spirit of bringing people together through culture, food, and shared celebration as we look ahead to the FIFA World Cup 2026,” Peter Unanue, third generation executive at Goya Foods said.
Other news from Goya Foods includes the opening of applications for the company’s annual $20,000 Culinary Arts and Food Science Scholarships, available to students nationwide entering their freshman year of college with plans to pursue an undergraduate degree in culinary arts and/or food science.
“For generations, food has been at the heart of family, tradition, and community,” said Rafael Toro, national director of public relations for Goya Foods. “By supporting students who want to study culinary arts, food science, and nutrition, we’re investing not only in their education, but in the cultural and culinary traditions that bring people together.”
Since launching the Goya Scholarship Fund the company has awarded more than $2 million in scholarships to students across the country. Goya offers the Culinary Arts Scholarship on a competitive basis to students enrolling in accredited two-year or four-year institutions. Each scholarship totals $20,000, disbursed as $5,000 per academic year and is renewable for up to three additional years as long as the student remains eligible. Applicants will be selected based on the standard requirements established under the Goya Scholarship Fund and administered by Scholarship America, including academic achievement, leadership, community service, financial need, and an essay describing how Goya has enriched their family traditions.
Applications are due no later than March 3, 2026. For more information and to apply, please visit https://scholarshipamerica.org/scholarship/goyaculinary/.
It was “batter up” as Krasdale Foods and the New York Yankees teamed up for the 31st annual Yankees Holiday Food Drive in early December. The holiday tradition rewards any fan donating at least 30 pounds of non-perishable food with two complimentary tickets to a 2026 Yankee home game. Chris Guzman, director of advertising at Krasdale, tells us that the big wholesaler stepped up to the plate and hit it out of the park to start the day by donating nearly 100,000 pounds of food to the cause! And this event came on the heels of the New York Yankees/Krasdale food voucher program. The program provides essential support to local families and each year, the Yankees and Krasdale Foods host a Thanksgiving Food Voucher Giveaway at Yankee Stadium. This year, approximately 5,000 food vouchers worth $25 each valid at C Town and Bravo supermarkets were distributed to Bronx residents, helping them prepare for Thanksgiving meals. The initiative aims to alleviate food insecurity in the community and is part of the Yankees’ and Krasdale’s broader commitment to social responsibility. Great job to everyone at Krasdale and NY Yankees!!
The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) board approved more than $9.3 million in grant awards to 23 organizations under the FEED NJ Pilot Program. The approvals mark the second round of awards under the $30 million program and will expand the NJEDA’s support for food security projects in New Jersey’s 14 most acute food desert communities (FDCs), catalyzing innovative, sustainable, and scalable food access initiatives in underserved areas. The first round of 50 approvals totaling $20.6 million was made during the NJEDA’s November board meeting. The total funding of $30 million to 73 organizations is one of the largest investments in recent years dedicated to strengthening New Jersey’s food security infrastructure.
“The NJEDA has broadened its food security efforts throughout Governor Murphy’s administration, supporting innovative solutions that uplift New Jersey’s families, strengthen our economy, and open new doors of opportunity,” said NJEDA acting CEO Mary Maples. “The funding approved today will support a range of projects, including grocery delivery and urban farming programs, empowering local partners and providing lasting support to communities that need it most.”
Each of the 23 grant recipients will receive awards of up to $500,000 and will primarily focus their projects on serving residents of one or more of the highest-need FDCs, which are spread across seven counties, comprise portions of 12 municipalities, and are home to 567,349 residents. Primary Focus FDC’s include portions of Bridgeton, Camden, Fairfield Township, Lawrence Township, Newark, New Brunswick, Passaic City, Paterson, Pennsauken, Salem City, Trenton, and Woodlynne. The second round of awards approved by the NJEDA board will also serve 36 additional FDCs such as Dover, Jersey City, Irvington, East Orange, and Perth Amboy. All 50 of the state’s designated FDCs will be served by FEED NJ projects, which include creating new or expanded food pantries and mobile markets, partnering with farmers to bring locally-grown food to New Jersey residents, buying new delivery vehicles, and strengthening meal recovery initiatives. To learn more about NJEDA resources for businesses, call NJEDA Customer Care at 844.965.1125 or visit njeda.gov.
As the year draws to a close, I would like to extend my warmest wishes for a joyful holiday season and a prosperous year ahead. Your trust and partnership have been invaluable to all of us here at Food Trade News and Food World, and we are truly grateful for the opportunity to work with you all. May this festive season bring you peace, renewed energy, and meaningful connections. We look forward to continuing our collaboration with you in the coming year. and here’s wishing you all health, happiness, prosperity, and all of life’s best this Holiday Season and in the New Year. As always you can reach me at 201.250.2217 or [email protected].
