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The New Jersey Food Council recently came together to honor three leaders in the state’s supermarket industry.

During a May 15 reception at The Palace at Somerset Park in Somerset, the food retailer association recognized:

• Neil Greenstein of Brookdale ShopRite and ShopRite of Newark
• Stew Leonard Jr. of Stew Leonard’s
• Samer Rahman of Allegiance Retail Services

The event drew more than 500 guests. According to Nick Brown of Kraft Heinz, who served as master of ceremonies, it “truly represents the ‘who’s who’ of the New Jersey grocery industry” and pays tribute to individuals “who have helped us strive to be ‘the best in class’ food trade association in the country.”

“We celebrate three industry leaders who have made a meaningful contribution to advance the mission of the Food Council, have achieved significant grocery industry success, and have a history of civic service within the New Jersey food community,” Brown added.

Neil Greenstein

Greenstein is a third-generation grocer. Proud of his heritage in the industry, it began in 1948 when his grandparents opened the family’s first supermarket in Bloomfield. A member of Keasbey-based Wakefern Food Corp., the Greenstein family’s two ShopRite stores employ more than 800 employees.

Greenstein also gives back to the community through his involvement with organizations like New Jersey Performing Arts Center, the Boys and Girls Club of Newark and The Greater Newark Conservancy. Additionally, he supports the Foley Field Foundation, Bloomfield Educational Foundation and The Human Needs Food Pantry, as well as ShopRite Partners In Caring, Wakefern’s signature hunger-fighting initiative.

Stew Leonard Jr.

Leonard is president and chief executive officer of Stew Leonard’s, a family-owned farm fresh food retailer. After taking the helm of the company in 1991, he grew it from one store in Norwalk, Conn., to eight stores across the Tri-State area – including two in New Jersey (Paramus and Clifton).

Dubbed “The Disneyland of Dairy Stores” by The New York Times for its in-store entertainment – and designated as the “World’s Largest Dairy Store” by the Guinness Book of World Records – the chain welcomes more than 20 million shoppers a year, employs 2,500 team members and has annual sales exceeding $550 million.

Samer Rahman

Rahman began his career in the grocery retail sector in 1988 and held executive management roles at independent supermarkets and major corporate chains. In 2013, he joined Allegiance Retail Services as director of meat & seafood and moved up to vice president of perishables and vice president of center store. Rahman is now vice president and chief merchandising officer.

Allegiance’s retail network spans more than 125 supermarkets in New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania under the banners of Foodtown, Freshtown Marketplace, D’Agostino, Gristedes, Pathmark, LaBella Marketplace, Brooklyn Harvest Market, Market Fresh, Big Deal Food Market, Green Way Markets, Food Basics and Shop ‘n Bag.

‘Undeniable support’

“During the Night of Distinction, we celebrate our members who volunteer their time and talent to ensure our mutual success and advance our mission,” said NJFC President and CEO Linda Doherty. “The attendance and ticket sales were overwhelming; it demonstrates the strength and promise the industry holds for the New Jersey Food Council and we are grateful for that undeniable support.”

Moreover, Anthony Calandra of Calandra’s Bakery of Newark spearheaded a drive to bring in scholarship donations to benefit NJFC’s scholarship program. According to NJFC, his donations alone of signature sporting events tickets helped NJFC raise over $30,000 to support students striving for an education in the food industry.

Leftover food from the event was donated to Table to Table, a food rescue organization located in Saddle Brook, NJFC said.