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Thanks to our sponsors Avocados from Mexico and Idaho Potato Commission for "kicking off" our new season of events on Tuesday, September 13th with a tailgate party and special guest speaker, former New York Jet, Joe Klecko.
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June 11th Golf Outing
Thank you to everyone who supported our golf outing at Royce Brook Golf Club on June 11th! |
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EPC Nolan Family Foundation Scholarship Awarded to Christine Knospe
The 3rd Annual Nolan Family Foundation Scholarship was awarded on Tuesday, May 24th at the New Jersey Department of Agriculture Annual BBQ at Demarest Farm. Theresa Nolan was in attendance to present this year's $5,000 scholarship to Christine Knospe, wife of Scott Knospe of Wakefern Food Corp. Christine is currently enrolled at Montclair State University pursuing a degree in Speech Communications. The Knospe family, including their two daughters Izzy and Collette, were at the BBQ to receive the scholarship. What makes this scholarship unique is that it is based solely on a 500-word essay on ethics. In particular, applicants need to site an example of how they faced an ethical challenge in their life and dealt with it. Anonymous essays are judged by representatives of the Nolan Foundation, not the Eastern Produce Council. Congratulations Christine! |
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New Jersey Department of Agriculture hosts annual BBQ at Demarest Farm
Picture L to R are: Vic Savanello, NJ Farmer John Formisano, Susan McAleavey Sarlund, Former NJ Secretary of Agriculture Art Brown, current NJ Secretary of Agriculture Doug Fisher and NJ Assistant Secretary of Agriculture Al Murray. This marked the 29th consecutive year that the NJDA hosted an EPC meeting and the seventh annual BBQ at Demarest Farm in Hillsdale, NJ. With close to 200 in attendance including NJ growers and NJDA staff, it was a great night to wrap up our meeting season until September. Click here for more details & photos from this eventful night! |
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EPC Donates Salad Bars As part of the council's annual charitable donations, this year the EPC donated Salad Bars to two New Jersey Schools.
Pictured above on Friday, April 29th at Wall Township High School are Vic Savanello, Susan McAleavey Sarlund and representatives from the Wall Board of Education.
Pictured above on June 2nd at Paterson International High School are Al Murray, NJ Assistant Secretary of Agriculture, representatives from Paterson's Board of Education and staff of the school's cafeteria. |
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South Carolina hosts
For the 45th consecutive year, The South Carolina Department of Agriculture hosted the EPC's April meeting. Pictured are Martin Eubanks, Assistant Commissioner of Agriculture, South Carolina Farmers and Vic Savanello and Susan McAleavey Sarlund. |
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EPC Holds Volunteer Night at Community Food Bank of New Jersey
EPC Members and their families and co-workers met at The Community Food Bank of New Jersey, in Hillside, NJ on Tuesday April 12th and worked a 2 hour shift sorting food. There were over 50 volunteers in attendance. It was impressive to see so many people come out and give back to the community! |
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Litehouse foods and Taylor farms host EPC's March 2016 meeting
Pictured left to right are: Chris Downs, Regional Sales Manager and Craig Enos, VP Retail Sales - both of Taylor Farms, Vic Savanello, Susan McAleavey Sarlund, Brent Carr, Executive VP of Sales and Doug Hawkins, Regional Sales Manager - both of Litehouse Foods. 
EPC Presents $5,000 donations to: Tim Vogel of The Community Food Bank of New Jersey Kenji Hoffman of The Food Bank for New York City 
Click here for more photos from this meeting. |
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What's Happening at the EPC
Click here for a recap from this year's New York Produce Show
John McAleavey Video Tribute Click here to view the Video Tribute to John McAleavey (Presented at the 2015 NY Produce Show & Conference). John served as the Executive Director of the Eastern Produce Council from 1990-2015.
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Inaugural Joe DeLorenzo Apple Picking Event at Melick's Town Farm On Saturday, October 10th, the Eastern Produce Council held the Inaugural Joe DeLorenzo Apple Picking Event at Melick's Town Farm in Oldwick, NJ. The weather was fabulous and 65 people including Joe’s family and EPC members and their families enjoy cider and doughnuts, apple picking and a hay ride. Pictured below is the DeLorenzo family. Click here for more information. 
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The EPC supports the Princeton Day School, recipient of the “School Garden of the Year” Award, presented by NJ Farm to School Network and  Pictured are: Back Row (L to R) - Nancy Painter-Edible Jersey Publisher, Susan McAleavey Sarlund- Eastern Produce Council Executive Director, Pam Flory- Princeton Day School Garden Educator, Beth Feehan-NJDA Farm to School Program Coordinator, Liz Cutler-PDS Sustainability Coordinator and Paul Stellato- PDS Head of School. In the front row are students representing PDS. On Monday, September 21st, the “School Garden of the Year” Award was presented to Princeton Day School at their beautiful outdoor classroom/garden on the campus of the school. The Eastern Produce Council was thrilled to support this effort with a donation of $1,500 to the NJ Farm to School Network which awarded PDS with a check for the same amount. Click here for more information. |
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Avocados From Mexico and Idaho Potato Commission host EPC's September Meeting  Pictured from left to right: Seth Pemsler, Vice President of Retail and International Sales, Idaho Potato Commission, Susan McAleavey Sarlund, Executive Director, EPC, Maggie Bezart, Vice President of Trade and Promotion, Avocados from Mexico, Joann McAleavey, John McAleavey Jr. The EPC's dinner on Wednesday, September 9th, was the first in over 25 years without John McAleavey Sr. as its Executive Director. Avocados from Mexico and The Idaho Potato Commission provided informative presentations as the evenings co-sponsors. Click here for more information on this event from The Produce News. |
EPC Board appoints |
 The Board of Directors of the Eastern Produce Council is proud to announce the appointment of Susan McAleavey Sarlund as Executive Director of the Eastern Produce Council. Susan is a graduate of Boston College with a BA in Communications; she went on to achieve her Master's degree in Marketing from Fairleigh Dickinson University in New Jersey. Susan is currently part of the Northeast Sales team for the New York Apple Association. Susan held various sales and marketing positions with companies including Nabisco, Hilton Hotels and two other Investment firms, prior to joining New York Apple. Susan brings a wealth of knowledge as well as experience to the EPC, where she has served under former longtime Executive Director John McAleavey over the past five years. Vic Savanello, President of the Eastern Produce Council, said, "Susan was the natural choice, there were no other candidates for this position that could hit the ground running and keep the EPC course set straight as we know Susan can! We are very happy to be able to retain Susan, the vote at our July 14th meeting was unanimous in support of Susan's appointment, we can't wait to see her blossom as our new leader." In response to the decision, Susan commented "I was thrilled with the outcome of the vote as I know my father is! I am grateful for the opportunity to serve the Board and the membership in this new capacity and, to continue John’s legacy and build on the success of the organization." |
On Friday June 5th, the Produce industry lost one of its finest gentlemen, John McAleavey |
 On Friday June 5th, the Produce industry lost one of its finest gentlemen, John McAleavey. The longtime Executive Director of the Eastern Produce Council, passed away at his home surrounded by his loving and devoted family. John's passing takes from us a man who was instrumental in building the EPC into one of the highest respected Produce Food Councils in the nation. John's tireless work ethic, professionalism, sacrifice, spirit, and love of the EPC will leave a never ending legacy which we have now been charged to maintain and bring to the next level. I and the entire board of directors lost a comrade and a friend; we will miss him dearly, but always be affected by him and better people for knowing him! He was absolutely one of a kind and truly loved by all of us! Vic Savanello |
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At Demarest Farms on Tuesday, May 20th, the EPC held its sixth Annual Jersey Fresh Cookout, sponsored by the New Jersey Department of Agriculture. This marked the 28th consecutive year that the NJDA has sponsored an EPC meeting. 
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Another Successful EPC Event - Cinco de Mayo at the Philadelphia Wholesale Produce Market 
The EPC had another successful event in Philadelphia. Cinco de Mayo at the Philadelphia Wholesale Produce Market was attended by over 250, and a good time was had by all. A special thank you to our sponsors: Avocados from Mexico, Corona, Dole, John Vena, Inc., West Pak Avocado, Inc., USA Pears, & United Savings Bank of Philadelphia. |
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Changing of the Guard 
At the South Caroline Dept. of Agriculture Dinner/Meeting on Tuesday, April 21st, Paul Kneeland ended his 2 year term as EPC President and Vic Savanello began his term as EPC President. Thank you Paul and Best of Luck Vic! |
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Thank you to all who attended or supported our 47th Annual Dinner Dance! 
EPC 1st Vice President, Vic Savanello (L) and President, Paul Kneeland (R), present the 2015 Eastern Produce Council's Lifetime Achievement Award to Produce Business's Jim Prevor. 
John McAleavey receives a plaque for his 25th Anniversary as the EPC's Executive Director (1990 - Present). |
