Greetings all and welcome to the beginnings of the winter season. I don’t know about you, but it seems with each passing year, the cold weather bothers me more and more, but we still trudge on and work in this wonderful industry.
A big congratulations to the Isenberg family of Chex Finer Foods, as they celebrate their 60th Anniversary. What began in 1965 as a small operation out of a garage in Sharon, MA, has grown into a regional value-added distributor serving more than 1,000 retail locations from Maine to Florida. Through every chapter, Chex has stayed true to its founding promise: to deliver excellence through quality, partnership, and service.
“This milestone is more than an anniversary, it’s a celebration of the people, relationships, and values that have shaped who we are,” said Jeremy Isenberg, president and CEO of Chex Finer Foods. “For 60 years, Chex has helped customers and suppliers succeed by leading with trust, care, and collaboration. That’s the heart of our business — and the foundation for our future.”
Chex was founded by Jay and Dorothy Isenberg, later joined by their son David, with a simple but powerful vision, to bring specialty products to market with integrity and entrepreneurial spirit. From the start, Chex was built on strong relationships and a forward-thinking mindset that propelled decades of growth as the specialty food industry took shape.
Today, under the third-generation family leadership of Jeremy and Michael Isenberg, Chex continues to evolve combining the agility and care of a family business with the sophistication of a strategic distribution partner.
In 2025, Chex entered its next phase of expansion through a partnership with Paine Schwartz Partners, a leading global food and agribusiness investment firm. The collaboration brings fresh resources, technology, and expertise to accelerate Chex’s growth by expanding its geographic footprint, deepening category expertise, and enhancing the value it delivers to both retailers and suppliers.
Operating from its headquarters in Mansfield, MA, Chex Finer Foods delivers a curated portfolio of specialty and natural products to independent grocers, co-ops, natural food stores, and regional and national chains. As the company celebrates 60 years, it remains energized by what’s ahead — further expanding its leadership team, investing in technology, expanding partnerships, and championing innovation — all while staying rooted in the same values that have guided three generations of leadership.
Congratulations to the Isenberg family and all the associates at Chex!!
The Uncle Giuseppe’s wagon keeps rolling along. A couple of weeks back in early November, the exceptional retailer held a hiring day at all 11 of its locations as well as at three planned Long Island locations in Bohemia, Greenvale and Levittown.
“Long Island is our home,” said Mike Nelson, president of Uncle Giuseppe’s Marketplace. “In the year ahead, we plan to welcome more than 1,000 new team members as we open our new stores. Every hire strengthens our promise to care for guests like family and to serve food at its freshest every day. Each department is built around the art of food, pasta being shaped, fresh mozzarella being made, and meats sliced to order, all in full view so guests can connect with the craft behind every meal. And just as important as the food is how you’re treated.”
The new 39,000 square foot Bohemia location is scheduled to open by late November, and I can’t wait to see it.
Wakefern Food Corp. held its annual shareholders meeting at the Hilton in Parsippany, NJ, on October 16 as we reported in the October issue of Food Trade News. At the event a special recognition, The Chairman’s Award, went to Paul Patten, Wakefern’s group VP of center store, with 43 years of service to the cooperative. “Paul’s leadership and vision helped drive Wakefern’s success over the years, but his kindness, empathy and humor have shaped his friendships and relationships in this industry,” said Wakefern chairman, Sean McMenamin. “Paul is a reminder of how our people are always the most important part of our business.”
I couldn’t agree more with Sean’s words and echo a hearty congratulations to Paul!
Kudos to all the good folks who continue to keep the longest running industry golf outing going. The Robert and Owen McKeever Jr. CF Cup is the longest running golf event for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and was held recently at the Mountain Ridge Country Club in West Caldwell, NJ.
All around good guy Owen McKeever and his wife Carol lost their two sons, Robert and Owen, to Cystic Fibrosis. He dedicated his life to research in hope to find a cure for this disease. And over years, Owen along with dedicated food industry volunteers organized The Robert and Owen McKeever Jr. Golf Tournament and 46 years later have raised over $10 million dollars to advance the battle against CF. Owen was truly a selfless person who found beauty in family, friends and life and I’m glad to hear that the outing is still going on.
Big news came to Krasdale Foods as they have been recognized as a 2026 Best Places to Work in Westchester County, NY, a distinction that identifies, recognizes and honors the New York region’s best companies. In addition to being named one of the 13 Best Places to Work in Westchester, Krasdale Foods also was recognized as a Best Places to Work in Distribution.
“As a family-owned business, we have always set a high standard for how we treat our employees and the culture we set as a company,” said Krasdale president and COO Gus Lebiak.
“This recognition means a lot to us because it is due in large part to the input of our own employees. We have a long tradition of treating our team members like family, and I am pleased to see that we continue to live up to the values our founders have set.”
Final rankings were evaluated by the Best Companies group based on the company’s workplace policies, practices and demographics and was published in the November/December 2025 issue of 914INC.
Many area grocers are stepping up to support families in their marketing areas impacted by the ongoing federal government shutdown and the uncertainty surrounding SNAP benefits. ShopRite and Wakefern are pledging $1.25 million in food and funds to food banks across its northeastern U.S. operating region.
The donation will be distributed among regional food banks in the communities where Wakefern supermarket banners ShopRite, Price Rite Marketplace, The Fresh Grocer, Gourmet Garage, Fairway Market, Di Bruno Bros., Morton Williams and Dearborn Market operate.
“We know many families are facing increased food insecurity and uncertainty right now, and that is why we are making this donation to food banks,” said Mike Stigers, president of Wakefern. “More than just corporate giving, our long-term commitment to fighting hunger through our ShopRite Partners In Caring program is a testament to the power of community.”
This donation builds on the company’s decades-long commitment to addressing food insecurity. Through ShopRite Partners In Caring, the coop has contributed more than $65 million to more than 2,500 charities and hunger-fighting organizations since the program’s inception in 1999.
And, also in that giving light, Key Food announced a major charitable initiative: a $250,000 donation in gift cards to be distributed across the communities it proudly serves.
Overseeing 460 supermarkets spanning New York City’s five boroughs, Long Island, upstate New
York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Maryland, and Florida, Key Food has long been a cornerstone of local communities. Responding to growing need, Key Food is taking action to give back. The gift cards will be disbursed through local food banks and charities in each region, ensuring support directly reaches families, seniors, and individuals experiencing heightened food insecurity.
“Since 1937, Key Food has grown alongside the communities we serve—not just as a grocery provider, but as a neighbor,” said Dean Janeway, CEO of Key Food. “During these uncertain times, we believe it’s our responsibility to help ease the burden on families who may be struggling to put food on the table. This $250,000 commitment is one of the ways we are saying thank you to our communities and paying it forward.”
For nearly nine decades, Key Food its family of supermarkets have stood for quality, affordability, and community. Today, it stands stronger than ever proving that local family-owned business can be a powerful force for good. Great job Key Food!!
Well, that will do it for now. I want to extend best wishes your way to everyone, and hope you, your family and friends have a fantastic Thanksgiving Day! As always you can reach me at [email protected] or 201.250.2217.
