Is it too early to start planning Thanksgiving dinner? I don’t think so. Lots of research goes into Thanksgiving and Friendsgiving meals each year. And as I have said before, the results indicate it’s still all about the sides, and while the number one side changes on occasion, the tried-and-true top 10 list doesn’t change. Either way, Thanksgiving is one of America’s favorite holiday meals. And to go along with your holiday feast is the new trend – the Snacktail…a snack along with your cocktail before dinner. It can be a part of the cocktail or on a small plate beside the cocktail. What’s in a Snacktail? It’s not a meal, nor is it an entire charcuterie board nor an all you can eat happy hour bar selection. The beauty of the Snacktail is that it can be anything you want it to be, but small. In Italy, it is known as Aperitivo. In fact, Turin is credited with originating this lovely snack that takes the edge off one’s hunger before dinner. The idea is to nibble, from peanuts to olives to cured meats and cheeses along with your Campari spritz, glass of wine or spirits and then proceed to dinner. When the main meal is over, what on earth can you do with the leftovers that you usually put in dozens of small containers for your guests? Solution: pot pies using frozen pie crusts. Simply gather your leftovers in their serving dishes and line them up. Ask guests to make their own pot pies, using as many ingredients as they like and cover it with another pie crust. It can be frozen or cooked over the holiday weekend when the last thing anyone wants to do is cook. This is my favorite holiday dinner hack that has now become a tradition. Buon appetito!
Retailers in our area have been busy upping their technology game recently. Ravitz Family Markets, with five ShopRite stores that have served the South Jersey community for nearly 60 years, hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony on September 16 to celebrate a new electric vehicle (EV) fast charging station in the parking lot at their ShopRite of Mt. Laurel store. The Electrify America station features six hyper-fast chargers, each capable of delivering up to 350kW—fast enough to add approximately 20 miles of driving range per minute.
“We’re proud to bring this new electric vehicle charging station to the ShopRite of Mt. Laurel,” said Shawn Ravitz, VP of Ravitz Family Markets. “As a family-owned business, we are here in the community and committed to meeting the evolving needs of our customers and neighbors. Collaborating with Electrify America to provide convenient, fast charging for EVs reflects our ongoing investment in our stores and the community.” Store associates and community joined the Ravitz family to cut the ribbon on the new charging station. The latest launch is part of a push by Wakefern to bring more EV charging stations to communities served by ShopRite stores. ShopRite continues to expand its electric vehicle charging infrastructure across store locations as cooperative members identify new sites for charging stations. The efforts reflect ShopRite’s dedication to promoting sustainable practices and supporting customers who drive electric vehicles. “We’re committed to growing our charging network where drivers need it most and that includes convenient, everyday destinations like the ShopRite of Mt. Laurel,” said Anthony Lambkin, VP-operations, Electrify America. “By expanding access to fast charging in more communities, we’re helping drive the future of transportation and making EV ownership more convenient and accessible for everyone.”
In more ShopRite news, late last month, ShopRite of Hunterdon County rolled out Caper Carts at its three New Jersey stores, with the smart shopping carts debuting at the ShopRites of Flemington, Clinton and Greenwich. The stores are the latest ShopRite stores to incorporate the cutting-edge shopping carts that allow customers to check out seamlessly. The carts feature interactive screens that let shoppers scan items as they shop, track their spending in real time and complete checkout directly from the cart. Each store held a ribbon cutting to celebrate the launch of Caper Carts.
“We’re excited to introduce Caper Carts to our ShopRite stores in Flemington, Clinton and Greenwich,” said Sam Colalillo of ShopRite of Hunterdon County. “As a third-generation grocer, I’ve seen how technology can transform the shopping experience. Our customers now have a smarter, faster way to shop, with tools to track spending, find savings, and checkout directly from the cart using a saved payment method. It’s a game-changer for convenience, and we’re proud to bring this innovation to our stores.”
Colalillo first introduced Caper Carts at their ShopRites in Yardley and Bethlehem, PA last year. Provided by grocery technology company Instacart and powered by AI, Caper Carts scan and weigh items as they are placed inside the cart. Customers can also synch their ShopRite Price Plus Club cards to the Caper Cart and check themselves out directly from the shopping cart – providing a one-of-a-kind, seamless shopping experience. It’s very cool and easy to use. The cart even knows when you put a handbag in it!
The newest Wawa store with the company’s prototype new look opened on September 25 at 245 S. Broadway in Pennsville, Salem County, NJ with the store offering four days of free coffee. Wawa unveiled its latest prototype store design about two years ago. While it has debuted in other states, this is reportedly a first for New Jersey. The Wawa exterior looks different than other stores. It has a Jetson-like design with a V-shaped steel column and asymmetric lines that are inspired by the flying geese formation. The outside walls are wood and brick. Of course, the new Wawa includes gas pumps. The fuel canopy is designed to complement the main building’s interior and exterior with a special selection of colors, materials and architectural features that work together, according to Wawa officials. As in all Wawa stores, there are no-charge air stations, clean public restrooms and surcharge-free ATMs. There is more visibility to food service through windows that stretch around the façade and much improved lighting and landscaping. Inside, the new Wawa offers special selections of colors on the walls and larger food and beverage displays, an extended food service selection, plus multiple digital screens to display meal options. Wawa says the appreciation and respect for quality is amplified through their material selections, color palette and food and beverage displays. Digital screens highlight the offer in a fun appetizing way. The opening day event included Wawa’s signature “Hoagies for Heroes” competition between local first responders and a ribbon cutting ceremony with the Wawa Wally Goose mascot. Congratulations!
Weis Markets recently announced its Weis 4 School program generated $534,000 in donations for more than 480 schools across its seven-state market area. During the 2024–2025 school year, Weis customers who made qualifying purchases with a linked Weis Rewards Card helped generate donations for the Pre-K through 8th grade school of their choice. The contributions were comprised of a company donation and customer round-up funds collected in July, resulting in meaningful donations to local schools.
“Our donations will benefit students and their families at more than 480 local schools in the markets we serve. We remain grateful to our customers and associates who supported this program,” said Maria Rizzo, Weis Markets VP-advertising and marketing.
Since its start, Weis 4 School has generated more than $3 million for local schools. Among the top 10 Weis 4 School donations included the elementary, middle and primary schools in Shiloh UCC Early Learning Center, York, PA; Schnecksville Elementary School, Pennsylvania; and Oley Valley Elementary School, Pennsylvania.
Last but not least, on October 2 Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding announced the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture’s theme of the 2026 Farm Show “Growing a Nation” – in honor of our nation’s 250th birthday. The 2026 Farm Show, Pennsylvania’s State Fair, will kick off a year of America250PA special events and celebrations bringing millions of visitors to the commonwealth recognizing Pennsylvania’s leading role in the founding of our American democracy.
“America was born in Pennsylvania, with its identity deeply rooted in agriculture,” said Secretary Redding. “Two hundred and fifty years later, Pennsylvania agriculture is still leading our nation, supplying the economic power, ingenuity, and innovation that is growing our nation’s future. Farm Show celebrates the outstanding products and people who make up our powerhouse agriculture and food industry, supporting 600,000 jobs pouring more than $132.5 billion into our state economy, including exports of more than $4 billion in agriculture and forest products – not only keeping our heritage alive, but supplying innovative solutions to our nation’s greatest challenges.”
The kick-off event was held at historic Wyck House Farm and Garden in Philadelphia. Wyck House Farm and Garden uniquely bridges the past and future of American agriculture. As one of the oldest urban farms in the country, continuously cultivated for over 300 years, Wyck stands as a living example of how agriculture has shaped communities, sustained families, and rooted American values in the soil of our cities and towns. Its legacy makes it the ideal backdrop for revealing a theme that connects generations of growers to the broader American story. The 2026 event will run from January 10-17 at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex and Expo Center in Harrisburg. It’s an awesome way to spend the day in January; the kids love petting the cows, and oh, those Pennsylvania Dairyman’s Association milk shakes (totally worth the calories). Hope to see you there!
Celebrating another trip around the sun this month are: Chad Vilotti, Liscio’s Bakery; Ray Nemeth, The Campbell’s Company; Justine Giordano, Vincent Giordano Company; and Nina Weiland, FTN alumna. Buon compleanno a tutti!
Quote of the month: “Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower.” Albert Camus
Maria can be reached at maria@foodtradenews or 433.631.0172
