The new associate members represent a variety of industries, from janitorial services, training, and renewable energy to creamery, cheese, and retail technology.
    
Dri Mark is the number one manufacturer of Counterfeit Detectors and Custom Markers in the US. They are the original patent holder for counterfeit pens. 
Janitors Supply Co Inc. has provided cleaning solutions and more since 1954! They are the premier source of janitorial, industrial, and institutional cleaning products in a five-state area.
Within the US, JT International U.S.A., Inc. has grown into a total tobacco company with three businesses: JTI USA, marketing and selling key cigarette brands Wave, Wings, Export ‘A’ and the global brand LD; PrimeTime International Distributing Inc. (PTID), an industry leader in filtered cigars and pipe tobacco; and Logic Technology Development (Logic), a category leader in vaper products. 
Orontes LLC mission is to deliver healthy dairy products of the highest quality to everyone by offering various delicious options using locally sourced ingredients. Orontes is proud that it products support local farmers and local businesses. Their Motto: Better Milk, Better Yogurt, Better Health.
Revittle crafts artisan cheese from Pennsylvanian ingredients made the traditional European way. Their mission is to reconnect all Americans with the taste, joy, and health benefits of all-natural cheese made the way it should be.
Reykjavik Creamery / TSC Emerald Valley LLC is a 30,000 sq ft. facility in Pennsylvania, located on a 400-acre organic dairy farm in the scenic Cumberland Valley, just north of Newville and about 25 minutes from Carlisle. Reykjavik is a high-tech dairy manufacturing facility specializing in contract manufacturing premium cultured artisan dairy products. Their specialty is strained yogurt, called Skyr, otherwise known as Icelandic Style Yogurt.
The WEBBER/SMITH Group are independent full-service Engineering and Building Design firm providing engineering and building design solutions to Food & Beverage and other industries.
With Upside LLC., people earn cash back, and businesses earn a proven profit, so communities grow stronger. And every transaction through Upside benefits the world at large, offsetting carbon and food waste so that our communities thrive for years to come.
Vanguard Renewables was founded with the goal of producing renewable energy from organic waste to power homes, businesses, and communities. Sustain farms for future generations by reducing on-farm methane emissions and providing a diversified income stream and beneficial byproducts that support regenerative agriculture. And reduce greenhouse gas emissions from food waste by diverting tons of food waste from landfills and incineration in compliance with state organics to landfills bans and food and beverage companies’ ESG and decarbonization goals.
Wise Snacks / Wise Foods Inc. is a company based in Berwick, Pennsylvania, that makes snacks and sells them through retail food outlets in 15 eastern seaboard states, as well as Vermont, Ohio, West Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Washington, D.C. Best known for its several varieties of potato chips; Wise also offers Cheez Doodles, bagged popcorn, tortilla chips, pork rinds, onion rings, Dipsy Doodle chips, nachos, Quinlanbrand pretzels, and French onion dips.
Ready Training Online (ROT) offers training for administrators and employees. At Ready Training Online, their mission is to inspire and facilitate employee success through the delivery of engaging, customizable, and easy-to-manage online learning. They place a high value on integrity, teamwork, and excellence while remaining client-focused in all we do. At the end of the day, their goal is to make your training impactful and easy.
The Kraft/Heinz Company is the third-largest food and beverage company in North America and the fifth-largest food and beverage company in the world, with eight $1 billion+ brands. A globally trusted producer of delicious foods, The Kraft Heinz Company provides high quality, great taste, and nutrition for all eating occasions, whether at home, in restaurants, or on the go.

Food sustainability is a crucial issue facing the world today. With the global population expected to reach 10 billion by 2050, it is important to ensure that we have a sustainable food system that can provide healthy food to everyone while protecting the environment, reducing the volume of surplus food generation, recycling and limiting the waste headed to landfills.
    Coming out of COVID, food retailers like Price Chopper are still working to regain their momentum in sustainability efforts. During that period, in many cases, food banks could not transport the food that would normally be coming to them from food retailers through fresh recovery programs; this was mainly due to staffing, logistical restraints, and pandemic protocol. The program, an effort from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that Price Chopper joined in 2016, promotes reducing food waste generation, increasing the donation of unsaleable but still edible food, and composting excess food in order to operate more efficiently, feed hungry people and protect the environment.
    The fallout from COVID threw some of the momentum Price Chopper had prior to COVID when they were able to get the food to the people that needed it within the cities and the footprint where they do business. With COVID in the rear view mirror, they are working on efforts to regain their footing and momentum in their fresh recovery program and get everyone back up to 100% execution. 
    Just as important as addressing food insecurity through its fresh recovery program, Price Chopper is focused on helping the environment through a new recycling program called AgriCycle.  AgriCycle is helping Price Chopper save organic material from becoming landfilled. Over 50% of all materials being sent to landfills are compostable. These organic materials have the power to restore our soils and benefit our atmosphere when composted. When landfilled, these same materials directly contribute to greenhouse gases that pollute our air and contribute to climate change. AgriCycle is the premier food-waste-collection service in New England and the Mid-Atlantic. They recycle food waste and scraps via anaerobic digestion and composting—turning your “waste” into renewable energy and healthy soil. AgriCycle’s priority is to support its partners in reducing and donating food before collection. Participating in this AgriCycle has positively impacted the Price Choppers recycling program, sustainability program, and the back side of their business with what they send to landfills. It is great for the environment and Price Choppers’ bottom line because there are fewer trip costs and disposable costs. 
“Everyone wins with Price Chopper’s sustainability efforts. People that need the food win, the environment wins, Price Chopper wins, and the customers in all the areas we do business win,” said Patrick Iannotti, Director of Retail Operations for stores in the Northeastern United States of Price Chopper and chair of PFMA’s Sustainability Committee.
    Most importantly, Price Chopper sets out to make the right amount of products in the first place, which helps them limit the waste they will have. If they are producing the right amount of products, then they do not have as much shrink or as much markdown product leftover. They rely on the numbers and statistics from a production planning program called Periscope. Periscope is the latest in inventory management technology and came out of one of the many COVID-era lessons learned the hard way by commissaries and other offsite providers and their retail partners when they learned it was more important than ever to know your inventory and to limit budget-busting waste. Periscope, a fresh item management system that maintains and manages a perpetual inventory for all sellable and backroom products, also has a Financial Inventory module to capture fresh inventories for periodic financial reporting. 
    The Periscope production planning system helps Price Chopper determine how much each of their fresh products and their fresh departments need to produce each day to meet their customer needs. It’s all based on math, history, algorithms, machine learning, and artificial intelligence, which gives Price Chopper the information on what they need to produce on a daily basis. Collectively this helps Price Chopper affect how many leftover products they have, limiting waste and getting them closer to selling all of their products to the customer, eliminating leftovers. But they know that there will always be some leftovers, and when there is, Price Chopper wants to be prepared with a plan to distribute and recycle these goods, limiting the quantity sent to landfill. 
​Price Chopper follows the inverted triangle. They start with using technology to produce what their customer’s needs dictate, followed by donating to food banks through fresh recovery, getting good viable food to people who need it. After that, they try to help farmers by feeding livestock. Whatever product is left after completing those steps, Price Chopper works with AgriCycle before sending the remaining products to landfills. 
    Right now, Price Chopper is fine-tuning its processes. These efforts take a lot of collaboration and communication, which is the biggest challenge when it comes to sustainability efforts facing food retailers. Across its footprint, Price Chopper is working with 11 different food banks. That impact is contributing to sustainability and Feeding America. Price Chopper’s efforts in sustainability have not gone unnoticed. They have received several awards over the years, including EPA awards, produce sustainability awards, whole health wellness awards, and awards for cutting food waste with tech platforms. 
    In the wake of the COVID pandemic, unemployment and food insecurity soared.  According to Feeding America, in  2021, 53 million people turned to food banks and community programs for help putting food on the table.  Patrick Iannotti, said, “To me, impacting people that are food insecure within our footprint is one of the most rewarding thing that we do. To help people get food that need food, I do not know if there is anything more gratifying than that.” 


To assist with PFMA’s efforts, or to get involved in the association’s Sustainability Committee, email associationservices@pfma.net.

What are your top three legislative priorities in 2023? As an advocate for criminal justice reform, I prime co – sponsored a bill with Rep. Harris which would expand Pennsylvania’s first in the nation clean slate legislation to include low level, non-violent drug felonies. The bill, HB 689, would give more Pennsylvanians the ability to get back into the work force. 
Constituents in my district have been helped by the state’s property tax rent rebate program. I introduced a bill to help more seniors get rent rebate relief. My house bill HB 1048 would add COLA moratoriums into the program.
As the former chair of the Children and Youth Committee in the State House, I had worked on a bill to update the definition in the child protective services law. This year I am again working on the bill, as it is a needed process reform, to help our state’s children and youth agencies.
What are the important issues facing your district? As a legislator that represents part of three public school districts and two private schools the needs of each district as it relates to funding in the budget. Another important issue is the rise in the cost of living in Central PA due to inflation. And finally, transportation infrastructure is a priority with our growing population in Cumberland County to keep roads and bridges safe. 
Where do you shop locally for food? I like to shop at local grocery stores whether that be Giant or Weis. I also give special preference to PA Preferred food for our farmers here in Central PA. 
What is your favorite vacation destination? I enjoy going with my family to Bethany Beach Delaware in the summer.
What are the biggest challenges for grocers in your district? Supply shortages in grocery stores like the lack of eggs due to the avian flu. Some grocery stores are facing staffing issues due to not being able to find people willing to apply for the good paying jobs that are open.   
What are your biggest challenges and successes as a legislator? A challenge I face as a legislator in Harrisburg is the lack of civility in political discourse and debate.  Democracy is based on dialogue and debate.  This can be done respectfully, even when we disagree to work a comprise that moves an issue forward.  I’ve had success as a legislator through my ability to work in a bipartisan manner on issues.  I am proud to have had seventeen bills signed into law.  The one that has impacted the most people was the first in the nation Clean Slate bill, giving people with criminal records a second chance after they have earned it.  

"My biggest success has been being the First in the Nation Clean Slate reform that I and Rep. Harris introduced and helped pass in 2018 helping more than 1.2 million Pennsylvanians get a second chance."

What is your favorite food or meal to cook? One I pick up or take out from a local restaurant.
​What do you like to do for fun? Go to the beach, to read a book or to watch baseball, especially my Washington Nationals play.

The Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association is pleased to share that three new members are joining its Board of Directors. PFMA welcomes Jess Reese, VP of Sales, Small Format and Value for UTZ Snacks; Tim Murray, Manager, Industry Engagement for Altria Group Distribution Company; and Keith Martin, Director of Business Development, Executive Director of Business Development for Associated Grocers.

“In welcoming these respected and active members of the food retail industry to the board, they bring years of experience and knowledge that complement our current outstanding PFMA Board of Directors,” said Alex Baloga, president and CEO of PFMA. “We look forward to benefitting from their perspectives and expertise.” 

Jess Reese is VP of Sales, Small Format/Specialty/Discount Channels for Utz Quality Foods, based in Hanover, PA. Jess has a diverse background in Revenue Management and Sales, with experience across multiple channels, ERP implementation, Price and Promotion strategy, change management, and team development. She currently serves as Chair of the Utz Women’s Mentoring Group, guiding the first diversity and inclusion group within Utz. She has also served on the board of the American Wholesale Marketers Association, San Antonio Food Bank, and the Executive Finance Chair of Network of Executive Women Northwest Arkansas. 

Jess graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Economics from Texas A&M University and started her 20+ year career in food with ConAgra Foods and Daymon Worldwide before joining Utz in 2017. She resides in Lancaster, PA, with her husband and youngest daughter, who will be heading to Texas A&M University in August 2023. 

Tim Murray is the manager of industry engagement for Altria Group Distribution Company. A native Floridian, Tim began his career with Philip Morris USA in 1998 as a Territory Sales Manager in Deerfield Beach, FL. Over the past 25 years, Tim has served in a variety of roles within the Altria family of companies, including sales, operations, and analytics. In his current role, Tim is part of a team responsible for developing advocacy solutions in support of Altria Client Services’ Government Affairs department throughout the Eastern United States region. This work further supports the development and execution of engagement systems that enhance alignment with the states, the industry, and Altria Group Distribution Company. 

Tim is a graduate of Florida Atlantic University and resides in Longwood, FL, with his wife, Ali, and two children, Brooke (22) and Nick (20).

Keith Martin is the Director of Business Development and Executive Director of Business Development for Associated Wholesale Grocers. He has a long history in wholesale operations, private label, loss prevention, and business development. Martin also serves on the Virginia Retail Merchants Association board for the past ten years and is a Board Member of Northwest NC Food Bank. 

Martin is a graduate of Surry Community College with an Associate of Arts and Associate of Science. He is a former scoutmaster and proud parent of an Eagle Scout. He has four children and two grandchildren. 
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PFMA is led by a 37-member Board of Directors, including retail and associate members. This volunteer group shapes the association's agenda. Members are elected to unlimited three-year terms.

​The Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association (PFMA) chose Ryleigh Tillotson, a Northampton High School Senior, as the recipient of a $1,000 Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA) Scholarship. 

Tillotson has been a member of DECA for 4 years and credits her involvement in the club for shaping her career aspirations. She has taken advantage of countless opportunities to advance her business knowledge to prepare her for both her future collegiate and professional careers that she will be pursuing.  
 
“We are delighted to award this scholarship to such a dedicated and hardworking student like Miss. Tillotson,” said Alex Baloga, president, and CEO of PFMA. “We are proud to see DECA introducing our youth to career fields that they might not have discovered otherwise. We know Miss. Tillotson has a bright future ahead of her and we wish her luck as she embarks on the next chapter of her educational career.” 

Tillotson joined DECA as a freshman and quickly became involved in competitions at the district level where she placed 2nd in Business Services Marketing Series and state level, where she clinched the 1st spot two years in a row in the Integrated Marketing Campaign Products competition. As a DECA member, Tillotson has helped facilitate and grow her DECA chapter by using the plan of action, participating in career outreach events, organizing club meetings, and helping to raise money through fundraisers. Her strong leadership skills led her to become the Vice President of Marketing during her Junior year. She then rose to the ranks of Chapter President as a Senior. 
 
 
“This club [DECA] has provided me with countless opportunities to expand my business knowledge,” Tillotson wrote in her scholarship statement. “With this knowledge, I feel better prepared for what lies ahead.”
 
In addition to DECA, Tillotson has an impressive resume of extracurricular and community involvement including several leadership roles. Tillotson has been a varsity sideline and competitive cheerleader throughout her high school career. And, as a Senior, she is the captain of both varsity cheer squads. She is also a Junior Town Council Member, active in Biology Club, French club, and Honor Society. 
 
DECA prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality, and management in high schools and colleges around the globe. PFMA sponsors a DECA scholarship each year.
 

 The Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association is pleased to announce the addition of two new members to its Board of Directors. PFMA welcomes Thomas Gumkowski, Vice President of Business Development for Tripifoods, Inc., and Jason Bassett, Director of Government Affairs for Sheetz.
 “We are extremely excited and grateful to add these two individuals to our Board of Directors,” said Alex Baloga, president and CEO of PFMA. “We look forward to continuing the good work of the association with Thomas and Jason lending their expertise to the group.”
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Thomas Gumkowski is vice president of business development for Tripifoods, Inc. His career began with S.M. Flickinger Co. in Buffalo, NY where he started as a Buyer for their Food Service Buffalo Division.  He attended Canisius College where he earned both his BA and MBA.  At S.M. Flickinger he advanced to several positions and became the General Manager of their Buffalo Food Service Division.
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Gumkowski held senior management positions with several distribution organizations servicing the Northeast in the areas of Food Service, retail supermarkets, bakery, paper & packaging, and the convenience business segments.  In 2013 he moved into his current role at Tripifoods, Inc. as their Vice President of Business Development.
He and his wife Helen live in Orchard Park, New York, and have three grown children. Avid Buffalo Bills fans, they enjoy sports, traveling and are active volunteers for their church and in their community.
 

Jason Bassett is a devoted father and avid golfer who recently joined Sheetz as their senior government relations manager. He received a degree in political science from George Mason University in Fairfax, VA. Prior to joining Sheetz, Jason spent 12 years as the director of government affair for Kum & Go, LC. He worked in Washington, DC, in both the executive and legislative branches of the federal government as a career employee and political appointee at the U.S. Small Business Administration and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and on legislative staff of U.S. Senator Olympia J. Snowe. After his time in government, Jason was the legislative director for the American Frozen Food Institute.  
Bassett will soon be relocating to the Columbus, Ohio area. He is dad, all-time quarterback, golf instructor, baseball coach, master grilled cheese maker, and financier to Elizabeth (15), Landon (12), and Zack (10). 
 
PFMA is led by a 37-member Board of Directors that includes retail and associate members.
​This volunteer group shapes the association's agenda. Members are elected to unlimited three-year terms.

​Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association (PFMA) has announced the promotion of Michael Howells to the position of Vice President of Association Services. Since first joining PFMA in 2020 Howells has served as the Association Service Manager and was promoted to Director of Research and Association Services in 2021. During that time Howells assisted PFMA members with questions on legislative and regulatory issues; served as a liaison to communicate emergency planning issues; managed the association’s committees and provided government relations coverage in the monthly newsletter and weekly e-newsletter communications. 

“PFMA is fortunate to have a strong leader in Michael Howells, and this promotion reflects the responsibilities and work he has been contributing to the association and our members,” said Alex Baloga, president and CEO of PFMA. “Since joining PFMA, Howells has played a key role in driving forward our mission to improve the public image, effectiveness and profitability of companies providing products and services in agriculture production, consumer packaged goods, food retailing, wholesale food distribution and associated industry partners. We are excited for him to continue his good work in this role.”
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In this new role, Michael will continue to expand his responsibilities and assist in more legislative, political and advocacy activities for the association. He will also assist in association strategic planning and organizational development.

The Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association (PFMA) is proud to announce that Erica Koup Logsdon, a seasoned community engagement, marketing, and communications expert in local retail and business, has joined the association as the director of communications and media relations. In this role, Erica will manage the association’s monthly and annual publications, biweekly podcast, social channels, media relations, and the overall marketing communications strategy for the association. 
                                                 
Erica comes to the association with years of communications experience from her roles with Fenner, A Michelin brand company, WITF, and Crescent Strategy. In addition to her professional accomplishments over the past four years, Erica has been active in the community building a diverse group for women to fill a gap she saw in her community for women to connect. Through her Gals that Brunch HBG initiative Erica has created a positive, authentic, and empowering atmosphere where women can connect with each other and find community. She also uses this community to help small businesses in the Greater Harrisburg area market engage an audience who values small business and community. 
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“We are excited to welcome Erica, as she brings a wealth of expertise and excitement to this important role for our association,” said Alex Baloga, president and CEO of PFMA. “Erica will be a vital part of engaging our audiences, bringing high value contributions to the association and strengthening connections with our existing members and sponsors across the region.”

​The Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association kicks off the fourth season of its Shelf Confidence podcast this week, sharing member interviews that focus on trends and innovations in food and beverage retail.  
 
“This industry is ripe for innovation. Our members are constantly creating new ways to meet customer needs and improve the food retail landscape,” said Alex Baloga, president and CEO of PFMA. “The podcast shares how our members are influencing the industry and driving it forward.” 
 
The first two episodes feature new members and young entrepreneurs breaking the mold with their new business models.
 
On Wednesday, Jan. 25, Shelf Confidence welcomes new associate member Saint Rocco’s Treats, a small batch, craft dog treat company out of Bucks County. Brothers Kaleb and Kolby Rush explain how their pandemic project developed into a full-fledged business.
 
Sharing Excess founder Evan Ehlers joins Shelf Confidence for its second episode on Feb. 8. The organization has quickly grown to the largest food rescue organization in Philadelphia thanks to Ehlers’s unique process and partnerships.
 
Mid-February, Becky Smith will share how Poly Craft Industries stands out from the competition in the flexible packaging market.
 
Also scheduled in Season 4, hear from members STCR, PepsiCo, Dream2Career and more.
 
Shelf Confidence posts a new episode every other Wednesday morning. The podcast is available at shelfconfidence.buzzsprout.com, or on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Google Podcasts.
 
Shelf Confidence launched in July 2021. Over its three previous seasons, the podcast has highlighted sustainability with The GIANT Company, reframing healthy snacking with Utz, High’s Safe Shop certification, diversity and inclusion with Sheetz, c-store innovation with National Convenience Distributors and many other trending topics.