1. travel
2. tourist destinations
3. mexico and central america

January - February 2015
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Los Alamitos, CA 90720
(714) 699-1030 FAX (714) 723-6486
Calendar
OFFICIAL PUBLICATION
DDBC of Southern California
www.ddbcsocal.org
In This Issue:
February Awards Night
The DDBC kicks off 2015 right by honoring its Award winners from 2014 at the
February meeting, traditionally one of the best-attended membership meetings of
the year. This year features the induction of Cheryl Kennick (City of Hope) and
Dave Daniel (Pacific Rim Publishing/DDBC NEWS) into the Hall of Fame; and also
honors Laura Taketomo (Food 4 Less) as the 2014 Retailer of the Year, and Craig
Covell (Reynaldo’s Mexican Foods) and John Nielsen (Acosta) as the 2014
Suppliers of the Year. Individual stories and photos of the honorees begin on Page
8.
Blockbuster line-up headlines WAFC
The Western Association of Food Chains (WAFC) is scheduled to condut its 94th
Convention in May in Palm Desert with a line-up that includes former First Lady
Laura Bush and NBA Hall-of-Famer Magic Johnson, formerly of the Lakers and now
one of the current owners of the Los Angeles Dodgers of the National League. See
details on Page 24.
Also in this issue
The incoming President’s Message from Cheryl Van Den Hende (Monterrey);
news from several segments of the perishable foods industry; and an expanded
Calendar of Events.
Advertiser index
Bay Cities
5
Cacique USA
4
Coca-Cola Refreshments Cover, 9
Florida’s Natural Growers
2
Horizon Sales Corp.
27
Insight Food Sales
15
J. Brass Company
7
La Mexicana
KDS Marketing
Marin Cheese
Monterrey
Pacific Rim Publishing
Reynaldo’s
17
25
26
7
11
15
Advertising, editorial information
For advertising information in the
DDBC News, contact Dalva Fisher at
435-674-3504 or Pacific Rim Publishing Co., P.O. Box 4533, Huntington
Beach, CA 92605-4533. 714-3753900. FAX: 714-375-3906.
Items to be submitted for editorial
consideration should be sent to: Editor, DDBC News, P.O. Box 4533,
Huntington Beach, CA 92605-4533.
All submissions are subject to
editing for style and content.
DDBC NEWS (USPS 152-360, ISSN 00117862) is published 10 times per year for the
DDBC of Southern California. Published by Pacific Rim Publishing Co., P.O. Box 4533,
Huntington Beach, CA 92605-4533. 714-375-3900. FAX 714-375-3906. The DDBC
address is P.O. Box 1872, Whittier, CA 90609. Phone 562-947-7016. FAX: 562-947-7872.
Subscription rates are $30 per year. Membership in the DDBC includes a subscription.
Copyright 2009 by the DDBC of Southern California. All rights reserved.
January
10 – DDBC Installation of Officers
Dinner, Orange Hill Restaurant,
Orange. Information: 562-947-7016.
19 – Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
24 – Perishable Foods Council
Winter Gala, Meritage Resort, Napa.
Information:
www.perishablefoodscouncil.com.
February
8-11 – National Grocers Association
Show, Mirage Hotel, Las Vegas.
Information: www.thengashow.com.
10 – DDBC Awards Night,
Embassy Suites Hotel, Garden Grove.
Information: 562-947-7016.
16 – President’s Day.
18-19 – California League of Food
Processors Expo, Sacramento
Convention Center. Information:
www.clfp.com.
25-26 – Unified Grocers Sellabration, Long Beach Convention
Center.
26 – FIBR Chinese New Year
Networking Dinner, Empress Pavilion
Restaurant, Chinatown. Information:
[email protected].
March
5-8 – Natural Products Expo,
Anaheim Convention Center.
10 – DDBC Membership Meeting,
Embassy Suites Hotel, Garden Grove.
Information: 562-947-7016.
April
3-11 – Passover.
More calendar
Page 26
About the cover
Coca-Cola Refreshments are a
large part of America’s breakfast fare
each morning, thanks to a wide variety of juices and fruit drinks, anchored by the flagship brand, Minute
Maid.
Make sure your family is among
the millions in the United States that
make one of Minute Maid’s healthy
juices a key part of a nutritious breakfast to start the day off right for every member of the family.
DDBC News, January-February 2015
3
OFFICIAL PUBLICATION
DDBC of Southern California
Dave Daniel, Editor
www.ddbcsocal.org
VOL. LI NO. 1 2015 • ISSN 00117862
Business Manager: Susan Steele
OFFICERS: President: Cheryl Van Den Hynde (Monterrey); First Vice President: Patti Winsell; Second Vice President: Sue Bargsten (DPI Specialty Foods);
Third Vice President: Lisa Juarez (Cacique) ; Secretary: Cynthia Yarak (Risvold’s);
Treasurer: Bill Mackie (Processor’s Marketing and Research); Advisor: Connie
Thatcher (Advantage Sales & Marketing).
DIRECTORS: Tracy Gemoll (Food 4 Less); Matt Hebert (Insight Food Sales);
Dave MacDonald (Stremick’s Heritage Foods); Silvia Quiroz (Cardenas Markets);
Laura Taketomo (Food 4 Less), Nancy Tyler (Acosta), Jim Veregge (Unified Grocers),
Liz Wilson (Ralphs), Miriam Welch (Albertsons).
PAST PRESIDENTS: §Sydney Fisher, 1960; §Loyd Knutson, 1961; §Sam
Freed, 1962; §Harry Schneider, 1963; §Earl Anderson, 1964; §Leo Cohen, 1965; §Art
Jelin, 1966; §George Hobbs, 1967; §Eli Coleite, 1968; Bill Trapani, 1969; §Pete
Uraine, 1970; §Otto Schirmer, 1971; §John Andikian, 1972; Ted Hopkins, 1973;
§Stan Coop, 1974; §Ray Ferry, 1975; §A.A. “Bud” Moorman, 1976; Bill Schwartz,
1977; Eleanor Bennett, 1978; §Bob Garcia, 1979; §Harold Davis, 1980; Randall
Chew, 1981; Gary Illingworth, 1982; §Ken Tisdell, 1983; John Vitale, 1984; Gary
Provenzano, 1985; Joe Jimenez, 1986; Dick Schwebe, 1987; Diane Beecher, 1988;
Joe Matyasik, 1989; Don Fisher, 1990; Mark Stringer, 1991; §Jerry Lewis, 1992; Mark
Dixon, 1993; Kathie Porter, 1994; Jim Allumbaugh, 1995; Jim Veregge, 1996; Rona
Reeves, 1997; Joy Sawhill, 1998; Debra Zimmerman, 1999; Peter Hejny, 2000; Jeff
Merrill, 2001; Bill Hankes, 2002, Manny Marin 2003-04; Bob Dressler, 2005; Jon
Amidei, 2006; Sue Bargsten, 2007; Rigo Landeros, 2008; Rey Garza, 2009; Lisa
Juarez, 2010; Stacy Gilbert, 2011; Neil Swanson, 2012; Bill Mackie 2013; Connie
Thatcher 2014.
HALL OF FAME: §Harry Schneider, 1983; §Sam Freed and §Ralph Levey,
1984; §Pete Uraine, 1985; §Al Berger, 1986; §Eddie Goldstein and §George Hobbs,
1987; §A.A. “Bud” Moorman, 1988; §Morrie Rosenfeld and §Claus Simon, 1989;
4 DDBC News, January-February 2015
§Otto Schirmer and §Andy Stylianou, 1990; §Ray Ferry, 1991; §Bob Garcia and §Art
Jelin, 1992; §Lou Agrati, 1993; §Bernie Brener, 1994; Mark Levey, 1995; Harold
Davis, 1996; Eleanor Bennett and §Joe Malin, 1997; Gary Illingworth and §Ken
Tisdell, 1998; §Jo Ann Benci and Ken Hanshaw, 1999; Tom Keyes, 2000; John Vitale,
2001; Bill Schwartz, 2002; Ted Hopkins and Dick Schwebe, 2003; Diane Beecher,
§Stan Coop, and §Jerry Lewis, 2004; Don Fisher and Rona Reeves, 2005; §Bill
MacAloney and Rob Willardson, 2006; Jim Veregge, 2007; Mark Dixon, 2008; Kathie
Porter, 2009; John Brass, 2010; Jim DeKeyser and Burhan Nasser, 2011; Jack Taylor,
2012; Jeff Merill and Judy Norton, 2013; Dave Daniel and Cheryl Kennick, 2014.
RETAILER OF THE YEAR: §Stan Coop, 1975; §Bill MacAloney, 1976;
§Eddie Goldstein, 1977; §Pete Uraine, 1978; §Art Jelin, 1979; §A.A. “Bud”
Moorman, 1980; Ken Hanshaw, 1981; Eleanor Bennett, 1982; Gary Illingworth, 1983;
§Harold Davis, 1984; John Vitale, 1985; Eddie Hoggatt, 1986; Don Fisher, 1987; Fred
Brandt, 1988; Diane Beecher, 1989; Les Taylor, 1990; Bob Johnson, 1991; §Jerry
Lewis, 1992; Dave Wolff, 1993; Dave Fernandez, 1994; Kathie Porter, 1995; John
Brass, 1996; Jim Veregge, 1997; §Bernie Brener; §Jean Dreshner, 1998; Cindy
Mulvaney, 1999; Mark Miale, 2000; Mickey Gold, 2001; Andre Mesropian, 2002;
Joe Rodriquez, 2003; Pete Hejny, 2004; Manny Marin, 2005, Jim Roesler, 2006; Sue
Bargsten, 2007; Steve Nguyen, 2008; Matt Reeve, 2009; Robin Bell, 2010; Gayle
DeCaro, 2011; Dennis McIntyre, 2012, Silvia Quiroz, 2013; Laura Taketomo, 2014.
PRESIDENTS AWARD: §Don Lee, 1992; §Louis Vitale, 1995; §A.A. “Bud”
Moorman, 1997; Diane Beecher, 1998; Eleanor Bennett, 1999; Mark Dixon, 2007;
Debra Zimmerman, 2012.
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD: §Walt Scheck, 1999; §Ken Tisdell,
2001; Larry English, 2001; Charlice Makowski, 2005; Mark Roth, 2006; Tom
Ilharreguy 2006; John Vitale, 2010; Terry Fyffe, 2011; §Bill MacAloney, 2012;
Gilbert de Cardenas, 2013; Eleanor Bennett, 2014; Kevin Davis, 2014.
SUPPLIER OF THE YEAR: §George Hobbs, 1975; §Lou Agrati, 1976; §Chico
Santillan, 1977; Mark Levey, 1978; §Morrie Rosenfeld, 1979; §Ken Tisdell, 1980;
§Walt Scheck, 1981; Larry English, 1982; §Bob Garcia, 1983; Ted Hopkins, 1984;
Bob Fetzner, 1985; Joe Wilson, 1986; §Claus Simon, 1987; §Joe Malin, 1988; Tom
Keyes, 1989; §Creighton Wiggins, 1990; Gary Illingworth, 1991; Paul Yates, 1992;
Rob Willardson, 1993; Mark Dixon, 1994; Dick Schwebe, 1995; Jim Allumbaugh,
1996; Paul Christianson, 1997; Rona Reeves, 1998; Bill Schwartz, 1999; Jim
DeKeyser, 2000; Burhan Nasser, 2001; Jeff Merrill, 2002; Bill Hankes, 2003; John
Brass, 2004; Debra Zimmerman, 2005, Jack Taylor, 2006; Jon Amidei and Bob
Dressler, 2007; Paul Miller, 2008; Monica Stone, 2009; Judy Norton, 2010; Ann
Dressler and Rey Garza, 2011; Lisa Juarez, 2012; Fred Rowen, 2013; Craig Covell
and John Nielsen, 2014.
§ — Deceased.
President’s Message
Giving back to the DDBC
By CHERYL VAN DEN HENDE
Monterrey, the natural choice
2015 DDBC President
It is my privilege to serve as President of
the Dairy Deli Bakery Council (DDBC) of
Southern California for 2015 and I thank you
for that honor.
When the Council celebrated its 50th year
anniversary nearly 5 years ago, I had the
honor of organizing the Dinner/Dance. I
asked our do-everything Business Manager
Susan Steele for any old pictures she had
so I could make a slideshow showing the
DDBC through the many years. She of
course had boxes and boxes of them, and I
enjoyed looking through them and was really impressed with the amount of people in
attendance at those past events.
We were struggling with our attendance
for a while, but I really see the momentum
that the past presidents have created over
the last several years and I am excited to see
what our future brings for this organization.
I can remember attending my first meeting and seeing the passion from the Board
members and how they truly enjoyed serving. If you have not served on the Board of
Directors, I highly recommend it. In the giving of my time through the years, I have
learned so much and been able to be a part
of something that gives back to the community through charities, scholarships, and
training. We are always looking for volunteers to help our Board members throughout the year; I encourage anyone thinking
about it to contact me or Sue. I promise that
it is worth the time.
Connie Thatcher and her 2014 Board did
an outstanding job last year, and I promise
to work hard to keep that momentum going.
Cheryl Van Den Hende, Monterrey
2015 DDBC President
Thank you everyone that served, we
have big shoes to fill, but we are up for the
challenge.
My top priority this year will be to working to continue to grow membership, continue to increase event attendance and bring
inactive members back to meetings and
events. With this I feel that we can add even
more value to the members and to the DDBC
as a whole. Where else can you mingle with
Retailers, Suppliers and Distributors all working toward the better good of the industry?
I cannot wait for everyone to see what
we have in store for this year, stay tuned
and we will see you at the next meeting.
I want to thank the 2014 Board members
who have just finished their term and served
so well and welcome in the 2015 new and
returning Board members.
I am honored to introduce to you the 2015
Board and their Committee assignments:
• Patti Winsell, First Vice President, Secretary, Seminar Committee.
• Sue Bargsten (DPI Specialty Foods),
Second Vice President, Election Chairman.
• Lisa Juarez (Cacique, Inc.), Third Vice
President, Seminar Co-Chair.
• Bill Mackie (Processors Marketing &
Research), Treasurer.
• Cynthia Yarak (Risvold’s), Secretary,
College of Knowledge, Housing.
• Connie Thatcher (Advantage Sales &
Marketing), Immediate Past President/Advisor, Seminar Liaison, Scholarship Committee.
• Susan Steele (DDBC), DDBC Business
Manager.
• Tracy Gemoll (Food 4 Less), College of
Knowledge Co-Chair, Membership.
• Matt Hebert (Insight Food Sales),
Website, Golf Committee Co-Chair.
• Dave McDonald (Stremick’s Heritage
Foods), Big Cheese, Golf Committee CoChair.
• Silvia Quiroz (Cardenas Markets), Golf
Tournament Chair, Dinner Dance Co-Chair.
• Laura Taketomo (Food 4 Less), Seminar
Chairman.
• Nancy Tyler (Acosta Sales & Marketing), Dinner/Dance Chair.
• Jim Veregge (Unified Grocers), Program
Committee; Historian.
• Miriam Welch (Albertsons), Membership.
• Liz Wilson (Ralphs), Election Co-Chair,
Membership.
DDBC Mission Statement
To strengthen and promote the Dairy-Deli-Bakery
Council by providing a forum where members can learn, build
relationships and share ideas.
6 DDBC News, January-February 2015
DDBC Happenings
By JIM VEREGGE
Unified Grocers
1996 DDBC President
At the recent Past President’s Luncheon,
it was decided by the past DDBC Presidents
to honor two very special individuals with
the 2015 DDBC “Hall of Fame Award”:
Cheryl Kennick of the City of Hope and
Dave Daniel, editor of the DDBC News. Our
rationale for these awards is listed as follows:
Cheryl Kennick: We felt Cheryl has
shown outstanding support not only for the
Dairy Deli Bakery Council, but also for many
other key industry trade associations over
the past several years. She has been the
most visible representative with any charitable organization to regularly attend and
support the DDBC, and has also been extremely helpful in facilitating many in the
food industry in getting treatment at the City
of Hope’s amazing facilities in the hope of
finding a cure for cancer and many other
important diseases. In addition, the DDBC’s
support and relationship with the City of
Hope goes all the way back to the founding
of our organization in 1960, and by recognizing Cheryl for her outstanding support,
we hope to further strengthen that relationship for many years to come.
Dave Daniel: This year, Dave Daniel is
celebrating his “silver (25-year) anniversary” with the DDBC, and has been the
Council’s “editor-in-chief” for more years
than anyone serving in that capacity. He
has attended more DDBC events in his 25year relationship with the Council than any
member, and he has proven to be one of our
biggest supporters. His coverage of the
DDBC his been exemplary, and the Past Presidents felt that it was the perfect time to honor
his years of service to the Council with the
Hall of Fame award this year. Dave and his
wife Mary have become part of the “DDBC
Family” and this award simply was our way
of showing the Council’s gratitude for his
many years of terrific coverage in the DDBC
News.
Please join us in congratulating both
Cheryl and Dave for their richly deserved
awards and plan on attending the February
Awards meeting to show our (and your)
support to both of them. There will be a special video presented and all past DDBC
Award Winners are asked to be present.
Also this year we will present Tom Keyes
(John J. Wollack Co.) with the Lifetime
Achievement Award at one of our meetings
to be determined.
Also scheduled as guest speakers for the
coming year include a well-known USC and
NFL football player; the Jean Dreshner Memorial Casino Night in July; a possible return to an August meeting in support of the
City of Hope Town Bazaar.
September, of course, is our 47th National
DDBC Seminar at the Laguna Cliffs Marriott
(see registration form elsewhere in this issue), followed by meetings in October and
Election Night in November. It promises to
be a great year ahead.
Everyone here at J Brass Company is proud
to congratulate the 2014 DDBC
Award Winners on their great honor.
2014 Hall of Fame Inductees:
Cheryl Kennick, City of Hope
Dave Daniel, Pacific Rim Publishing Co.
2014 Retailer of the Year:
Laura Taketomo, Food 4 Less
2014 Suppliers of the Year:
Craig Covell, Reynaldo’s Mexican Foods
John Nielsen, Acosta
1518 Arrow Highway, Suite E, La Verne, CA 91750
(909) 392-9650 T (909) 392-9680 F W jbrasscompany.com
Everyone at Monterrey is proud to
congratulate all of the
2014 DDBC Award Winners!
2014 Hall of Fame Inductees:
Cheryl Kennick, City of Hope
Dave Daniel, Pacific Rim Publishing Co.
2014 Retailer of the Year:
Laura Taketomo, Food 4 Less
2014 Suppliers of the Year:
Craig Covell, Reynaldo’s Mexican Foods
John Nielsen, Acosta
DDBC News, January-February 2015
7
2014 Hall of Fame Inductee
Cheryl Kennick, City of Hope
By DAVE DANIEL
Editor, DDBC News
Cheryl Kennick has been associated with
the Dairy Deli Bakery Council (DDBC) for
more than 30 years … the last 19 of them as
the Senior Director of Philanthropy of the
Food Industries Circle for the City of Hope.
It is her long-time association with the
Council, however, that helped her be elected
to the DDBC Hall of Fame. “I am humbled
and honored to be recognized by my peers,”
she said. “They sell dairy and deli and I sell
hope. Together, we’re a pretty good combination.”
As she begins her 19th year with City of
Hope, she estimates she has raised well in
excess of $67 million from all of the divisions (i.e. Dairy-Deli, Wine & Spirits, Bakery, Produce, others) under the Food Industries Circle. There also are other fund-raising groups for about 20 different industries.
She leads the Food Industries Circle annual fundraising campaign, which includes
dozens of events and programs. Each year,
the campaign culminates with the Harvest
Festival of Hope, a black-tie gala and silent
Cheryl Kennick
auction with hundreds of attendees, which
raises more than $800,000.
“The Industry’s contribution for our annual women’s cancers fundraiser, Walk for
Hope, was more than $85,000 between the
Produce Industry and Smart & Final in spon-
DDBC of Southern California
Hall of Fame
1983 — Harry Schneider.
1984 — Sam Freed, Ralph Levey.
1985 — Pete Uraine.
1986 — Al Berger.
1987 — Eddie Goldstein, George
Hobbs.
1988 — A.A. “Bud” Moorman.
1989 — Morrie Rosenfeld, Claus
Simon.
1990 — Otto Schirmer, Andy
Stylianou.
1991 — Ray Ferry.
1992 — Bob Garcia, Art Jelin.
1993 — Lou Agrati.
1994 — Bernie Brener.
1995 — Mark Levey.
1996 — Harold Davis.
1997 — Eleanor Bennett, Joe Malin.
1998 — Gary Illingworth, Ken Tisdell.
8 DDBC News, January-February 2015
1999 –– Jo Ann Benci, Ken Hanshaw.
2000 — Tom Keyes.
2001 –– John Vitale.
2002 –– Bill Schwartz.
2003 –– Ted Hopkins, Dick Schwebe.
2004 –– Diane Beecher, Stan Coop,
Jerry Lewis.
2005 –– Don Fisher, Rona Reeves.
2006 –– Bill MacAloney, Rob
Willardson.
2007 –– Jim Veregge.
2008 –– Mark Dixon.
2009 –– Kathie Porter.
2010 –– John Brass.
2011 –– Jim DeKeyser, Burhan
Nasser.
2012 –– Jack Taylor.
2013 –– Jeff Merrill, Judy Norton.
2014 –– Dave Daniel, Cheryl Kennick.
sorships for 2014. The Produce Industry also
donated more than $90,000 of product, which
was given out to the 9,000 participants,”
she said. “My hope is that with the Food
Industry support, we can walk just for the
exercise some day.”
The Food Industries Circle campaign includes consumer programs such as United
for Hope, Kids 4 Hope, rebates and causemarketing. Others, such as employee giving and the Planned Giving Industry Challenge, led by Dick and Carole Spezzano, also
add to the industry’s support of City of
Hope.
City of Hope is one of only 41 comprehensive cancer centers, the highest designation bestowed by the National Cancer
Institute for excellence in cancer treatment,
research, prevention, and education. It
maintains the No. 1 hematology and prostate cancer programs in California, based
on the number of patients treated.
A pioneer in bone marrow transplantation, City of Hope has performed more than
12,000 transplants, one of the largest programs in the United States. City of Hope is
also a pioneer in diabetes research and treatment. Millions of people with diabetes benefit from synthetic human insulin, developed through research conducted at City
of Hope. In 2014, the Diabetes & Metabolism Research Institute was created, expanding the diabetes program to further basic
and translational research efforts.
City of Hope has earned the highest rating – four stars – from the nation’s leading
charity watchdog, Charity Navigator, in
eight consecutive evaluations. That puts
City of Hope among the top 2 percent of all
charities rated.
The list of achievements in research, drug
discovery (more than 200 patents), clinical
trials (more than 300), and numerous other
accolades is a long one, but as Kennick
points out, it is the philanthropic support
that makes it all possible.
When you first walk through the door.
you are greeted by a volunteer. That’s our
patients’ introduction to the compassionate care we are known for. Everyone is
treated with the same compassion and never
Continued on Page 18
Minute Maid and Acosta are proud to
congratulate the 2014 DDBC Award Winners
on their well-deserved honors.
Cheryl Kennick
City of Hope
Hall of Fame Inductee
Laura Taketomo
Food 4 Less
Retailer of the Year
Craig Covell
Reynaldo’s Mexican Foods
Supplier of the Year
Dave Daniel
Pacific Rim Publishing, Co.
Hall of Fame Inductee
John Nielsen
Acosta
Supplier of the Year
2014 Hall of Fame Inductee
Dave Daniel, DDBC News
Editor celebrating 25
years at helm of
Council magazine
Dave Daniel celebrates his 25th Anniversary as editor of DDBC News magazine in
February and figures his good attendance
over the years is the main reason he is being inducted into the Dairy Deli Bakery
Council Hall of Fame.
“If you stick around long enough and
just show up, good things are bound to
happen sooner or later,” he said.
Since becoming Editor for the March
1990 issue, Daniel has missed a total of four
Council functions. He missed his first regular membership meeting in July 2005 while
he and wife Mary were on vacation in
Greece. The only other meeting he missed
was November 2012 when he had a case of
the flu. He missed one Deli College of
Knowledge in the early 2000s and the person he sent to cover the event won a television in the door prize raffle. He missed one
National Seminar … the one on the cruise
ship to Mexico … because of a deadline for
another publication.
“Other than those four meetings, I have
been pretty much there for most goings-on
since we took over the magazine,” he said.
“My former business partner, Gary Ellis,
once asked me why I kept going to the meetings and writing the stories,” Daniel said.
“He thought I should send someone else to
cover the meetings. I told him ‘I like it. I like
the people. This is a good group.’ And I still
feel that way.”
Daniel recalled the early days. “I always
said the magazine belongs to the Council
that I was just the mechanic to keep it running. I didn’t even run my own by-line for
the first 12 years or so. My thoughts were
to present a professionally written magazine
that was consistent in format and that would
never embarrass the Council or any of its
members. I still hold those ideals.”
He credits former Executive Director Bud
Moorman, former President Dick Schwebe,
and members such as Charlice Makowski,
as making sure he was introduced to members at every meeting. “I was used to every-
10 DDBC News, January-February 2015
Dave Daniel
one having a number on their back and looking them up in a program,” he said of his
days as a sportswriter. “But eventually I got
to know so many great people in the Council and I consider them my friends.”
Ellis founded the company Ellis & Associates in 1978 and did employee newsletters
for such retail chains as Safeway (the first
time they were in Southern California),
Thriftimart, Lucky Stores, Hughes Family
Markets, and other food-related clients, including Frozen Facts Magazine for the Frozen Foods Council.
Daniel became a partner in Ellis & Associates in 1988 after leaving a longtime career
as a sports writer. He began at the Long
Beach Independent Press-Telegram, moved
to the now-defunct Pomona Progress-Bulletin before joining the NCAA in Kansas City
as editor of the NCAA News.
“That was a unique experience and gave
me a national perspective on college athletics,” he said. “I was in charge of a publication that was sent to University and College
presidents, Faculty Athletic Representatives, Athletic Directors, and Head Coaches
in a number of sports at every institution.
“I also worked the Final Four basketball
championships during the John Wooden
era, the College World Series, and other national championship events. I was able to
meet many nationally prominent individu-
als and those who were on their way to professional stardom.”
After approximately three and a half
years in Kansas City, he was tapped to cover
the Dodgers for the Santa Monica Evening
Outlook (also now defunct) and returned to
Southern California in 1976, just in time to
report to spring training in Florida for Walter
Alston’s final season as manager. He also
covered the Dodgers the next year in
Tommy Lasorda’s first year as manager.
“I got my share of traveling those two
years,” Daniel recalled, “but it wasn’t quite
the same as most jobs that require travel.
Baseball teams might spend three days in
Cincinnati, three days in Atlanta then three
days in Houston before coming home for 10
days. Then it would be three days in San
Francisco, three days in San Diego and three
days in St. Louis … or Chicago or Pittsburgh,
Philadelphia, New York or Montreal. And
when you are home, you are working nights
covering games. It made for a tough family
life and Mary gets all the credit for making
sure our three kids turned out right.”
He became the sports editor of the Outlook and began covering the Rams and Lakers but remains active in the Baseball Writers Association of America (BBWAA). He
has been secretary of the Los Angeles-Anaheim Chapter of the BBWAA since 1981 and
has been a voting member for the Baseball
Hall of Fame since 1986.
He returned to the Long Beach paper as
an Assistant Sports Editor and stayed there
until he joined Ellis, whom he had worked
with in his first stint in Long Beach.
It was Ellis who was instrumental in getting the-then Deli News job. He did all the
legwork and sold the idea to the Council. A
year later, he and Daniel started USC Report, a weekly tabloid newspaper for USC’s
football team. That project ran for 19 seasons before Daniel closed it down after Pete
Carroll left as head coach to join the NFL.
“We were so smart we started the year
the team went 3-8. The coach was Larry
Smith and he was not popular with the fans
and alumni,” Daniel said. “The team
struggled for the next several years until
Carroll took over and sports writing became
fun again.”
Continued on Page 18
Pacific Rim Publishing is proud
to congratulate our own
Dave “Double-D” Daniel
and all of the 2014 DDBC Award Winners.
Cheryl Kennick
City of Hope
Hall of Fame Inductee
Laura Taketomo
Food 4 Less
Retailer of the Year
Dave Daniel
Pacific Rim Publishing Co.
Hall of Fame Inductee
Craig Covell
Reynaldo’s Mexican Foods
Supplier of the Year
John Nielsen
Acosta
Supplier of the Year
2014 Retailer of the Year
Laura Taketomo, Food 4 Less
A busy year lies ahead for
General Chairman of the
National DDBC Seminar
By DAVE DANIEL
Editor, DDBC News
Laura Taketomo attended her first Dairy
Deli Bakery Council (DDBC) meeting in April
2005 when her close friend Lisa Juarez received the Big Cheese Award.
Fast forward 10 years and Taketomo is
serving as General Chairman of the 2015
National DDBC Seminar and Juarez is serving as her Co-Chair. “She didn’t have a
choice at the job,” Taketomo said. “She is
my best friend and I told her she was doing
it. She started calling on me 11 years ago
and we had an instant connection and
friendship.”
That kind of succinct decision-making
and delegation is one of the big reasons
Taketomo, now at Food 4 Less after a long
stint with sister company Ralphs, was selected as the 2014 DDBC Retailer of the Year.
Laura Taketomo
“The Seminar theme is ‘Teamwork,’” she
said. “I picked this topic for a number of
reasons. Most people think of teamwork in
terms of their immediate workplace, but in
DDBC of Southern California
Retailers of the Year
1975 –– Stan Coop.
1976 — Bill MacAloney.
1977 — Eddie Goldstein.
1978 — Pete Uraine.
1979 — Art Jelin.
1980 — A.A. “Bud”
Moorman.
1981 — Ken Hanshaw.
1982 — Eleanor Bennett.
1983 — Gary Illingworth.
1984 — Harold Davis.
1985 — John Vitale.
1986 — Eddie Hoggatt.
1987 — Don Fisher.
1988 — Fred Brandt.
1989 — Diane Beecher.
1990 — Les Taylor.
1991 — Bob Johnson.
1992 — Jerry Lewis.
1993 — Dave Wolff.
1994 — Dave Fernandez.
12 DDBC News, January-February 2015
1995 — Kathie Porter.
1996 — John Brass.
1997 — Jim Veregge.
1998 — Jean Dreshner.
1999 –– Cindy Mulvaney.
2000 — Mark Miale.
2001 –– Mickey Gold.
2002 –– Andre Mesropian.
2003 –– Joe Rodriquez.
2004 –– Pete Hejny.
2005 –– Manny Marin.
2006 –– Jim Roesler.
2007 –– Sue Bargsten.
2008 –– Steve Nguyen.
2009 –– Matt Reeve.
2010 –– Robin Bell.
2011 –– Gayle DeCaro.
2012 –– Dennis McIntyre.
2013 –– Silvia Quiroz.
2014 –– Laura Taketomo.
our industry, suppliers, brokers and retailers all must work together for shared success.
“I have been blessed with truly great partnerships in my role as Category Manager
over the years to create great promotions,
schematics and programs that resulted in
year over year sales and margin growth that
benefitted both sides of the table.
“I have never believed in the heavy fisted
approach as a buyer. By being tough but
fair, and having the desire to make it work
for both sides, I have found that I have gotten more success, more help and great relationships in the end.”
Past President Sue Bargsten, now at DPI
Specialty Foods, worked along Taketomo at
Ralphs for years. “Sue tried to get me involved with the DDBC for 15 years,”
Taketomo admitted, but I did not start attending regularly until 2012. Now that my
children are older, I have more time.”
She was elected to the Board of Directors in 2013 and immediately got to work.
She served as Chairman of the Spring Golf
Tournament Committee and made some positive changes.
“The tournament had been at California
Country Club for years and they were always so wonderful to us, but attendance
had been slipping and we needed a change.
I hustled around to check out 12 different
courses and we settled on Tijeras Creek in
Rancho Santa Margarita. Attendance increased and so did the profits each of the
last two years … and we are going back there
again this year,” she said.
She also sells raffle tickets at all DDBC
events, which gives her a chance to interact
with everyone. “I am grateful to be able to
serve on the Board and various Committees
and the responsibilities that come with those
tasks. I appreciate working for a company
that not only supports the DDBC, but encourages participation as well.”
Despite a recent shift to Category Manager in GM/HBC at company request,
Taketomo earned her chops (pun intended)
in the Meat Department at Ralphs. She
started as a temporary employee 26 years
ago in the Meat & Seafood Department and
worked her way up to Category Manager.
Continued on Page 20
Industry News
Unified’s Falvey heads CGA for 2015
Joe Falvey, Senior Vice President and President, Market Centre
Inc., for Unified Grocers, Inc., was elected the 2014-2015 California
Grocers Association Chairman of the Board of Directors at the
Association’s Annual Meeting on Dec. 5, 2014.
As Chair, Falvey will oversee
CGA’s numerous legislative, educational, communications and industry-related programs. The Association is comprised of more
than 300 retail companies operating more than 6,000 stores in California and Nevada. The chair
serves for one year. He succeeds
Immediate Past Chair Mary
Kasper, Fresh & Easy.
“Joe’s extensive knowledge of
the grocery industry, particularly
here in California, will be of tremendous value to the Association,” said CGA President and
CEO Ronald K. Fong. “He has strong professional relationships
throughout the industry and is very well respected by his peers. The
Board and staff look forward to his leadership in the coming year.”
At Unified Grocers, Falvey is responsible for Market Centre, the
company’s subsidiary that distributes, sells and markets specialty,
natural, ethnic foods, as well as candy, general merchandise and
seasonal products and services.
In addition to Falvey, the following individuals were elected to
the 2014-2015 CGA Board of Directors Executive Committee: First
Vice Chair, Kevin Konkel, Raley’s; Second Vice Chair, Diana Godfrey,
Smart & Final Stores; Treasurer, Jim Wallace, Albertsons, LLC; Secretary, Bob Parriott, Twain Harte Market; and Immediate Past Chair,
Mary Kasper, Fresh & Easy.
Chairman’s appointments to the Executive Committee include:
Dave Jones, Kellogg Company; Kendra Doyel, Ralphs Grocery Company; and Kevin Arceneaux, Mondelez International Inc.
Directors elected to their first full three-year term include: Rich
Arnold, Oberto Brands; Art Jackson, Costco Wholesale; Lynn
Melillo, Bristol Farms; and Denny Silva, Coca-Cola Refreshments.
Directors elected to their second three-year term include: Brent
Cotton, The Hershey Company; Casey McQuaid, E. & J. Gallo Winery; Dan Meyer, Stater Bros. Markets; Phil Miller, C&S Wholesale
Grocers; and Mike Stamper, Nestle, DSD.
Former CGA Chair Kevin Davis, Bristol Farms, was elected an
honorary board member.
The California Grocers Association is a non-profit, statewide
trade association representing the food industry since 1898. CGA
represents approximately 300 retail members operating more than
6,000 food stores in California and Nevada, and approximately 200
grocery supplier companies.
Top 10 Food Trends in Specialty Foods for 2015
Consumers will seek more from their food in 2015, whether stronger flavors, alternative sweeteners, or snacks made with everything from plant-based meat to even marijuana. That is according
to predictions from the editors of Specialty Food News, the daily
newsletter from the Specialty Food Association.
The $88.3 billion specialty food industry is driven by innovation
and small-batch production. Six out of 10 U.S. consumers purchase
specialty food, and those numbers are expected to rise in 2015,
according to Association research.
“Food producers are tapping into the growing sophistication
and buying power of today’s consumers,” says Denise Purcell,
editor of Specialty Food News. “They are catering to new demands
for better ingredients, sustainable packaging, and more convenient
ways to shop and eat.” Here is the list:
Fresh Food Delivery Arrives
Grocery delivery tests will give way to far improved services.
Embracing Alternative Proteins
Cricket flour, and meat and cheese made from plants, will gain
more fans.
Snack Bar Stampede
Bolder flavors and ingredients mean a whole new image – and
opportunity – for snack bars.
Asian Food Roots
American consumers reach beyond Chinese, Japanese, and Thai
to discover new regional foods, from Vietnamese to upscale ramen.
Tea’s Time
Tea is getting the high-end treatment from ingredient upgrades
to elegant cafe experiences.
Sweetener High
More shoppers are swapping added sugars for alternative natural sweeteners, from stevia to reimaginings of honey and maple
syrup.
Packaging Revolution
Transparent labeling is a boon for business and sustainable
packaging gives producers another badge of pride.
Culinary Cannabis
Marijuana is the latest herb to grace baked goods and candies
for that extra punch.
Generation Z Raises Its Voice
Its elders (born in 1995) have reached the age of influence, and
their purchasing power will only grow from here.
Super Bowls
Superfood mania, on-the-go convenience, and healthful fastcasual dining make bowls the go-to vessel.
Bonus: Other Trends to Watch
Small-batch, local yogurt; the next superfood contenders: kaniwa,
baobab, soursop; the next kale: seaweed, cauliflower.
Learn more about these predictions in the just-released article in
Specialty Food News. Access and download infographic: Specialty
Food Trends Forecast 2015.
DDBC News, January-February 2015
13
2014 Supplier of the Year
Craig Covell, Reynaldo’s
Winding down an outstanding
career in food industry sales
By DAVE DANIEL
Editor, DDBC News
Craig Covell has looked at the supplier sphere of the food industry in Southern California from three distinct sides during the past
30 years as he begins to wind down a stellar career, including the
past 10 years at Reynaldo’s Mexican Foods, headquartered in
Vernon.
Covell is one of two 2014 DDBC Suppliers of the Year as he
heads into retirement. “I am going to continue to work part-time for
Reynaldo’s for a year or two and see what happens after that,” he
said. “I have other plans, including family time, golf, travel and just
enjoying life … I hope, anyway.”
Covell has seen Reynaldo’s grow since he joined the company
in 2004 when it was acquired. Reynaldo’s has a product line of eight
key products under its own label, but also does extensive private
label products for well-known retailers throughout the west. “Our
No. 1 seller is our 12-ounce chorizo, followed by our 8-ounce pudding, but our other lines continue to grow,” he said.
“The explosive growth of the independent retailer has been the
biggest opportunity in the grocery business,” he points out. “Com-
Craig Covell
panies that have focused on this class of trade have enjoyed great
growth.
“Alternative channels have also experienced large growth and a
consumer packaged goods company must sell across all channels
to continue to grow and survive in any marketplace,” he said.
And that is just what he has accomplished
at Reynaldo’s after beginning his career with
a 10-year stint at Crown BBK brokerage, followed by 9 years with John Morrell Food
Group as District Sales Manager. “There is
a huge difference is working for a company
1996 — Jim Allumbaugh.
1997 — Paul Christianson.
the size of Reynaldo’s compared to a na1998 — Rona Reeves.
tional manufacturer like John Morrell,” he
1999 –– Bill Schwartz.
said.
2000 — Jim DeKeyser.
“We can make instant decisions here. We
2001 –– Burhan Nasser.
can react to different aspects of the busi2002 –– Jeff Merrill.
ness, such as raw material prices, packag2003 –– Bill Hankes.
ing, specific customer requests … instead
2004 –– John Brass.
of going through layers and layers of a big
2005 –– Debra Zimmerman.
corporation. That is something I didn’t know
2006 –– Jack Taylor.
when I worked for John Morrell.
2007 –– Jon Amidei and Bob Dressler.
“Big national packers can react to com2008 –– Paul Miller.
modity prices, which can vary from day-to2009 –– Monica Stone.
day, so they are somewhat nimble, but
2010 –– Judy Norton.
smaller companies like ours literally can make
2011 –– Ann Dressler and Rey Garza.
a decision in a few minutes if need be.”
2012 –– Lisa Juarez.
He hopes to continue that spirit on a part2013 –– Fred Rowen.
time basis. “I have done just about every2014 –– Craig Covell and John
thing here in the last 10 years,” he said,
Nielsen.
“from Director of Sales, National Accounts,
and other jobs. At a smaller company, you
Continued on Page 20
DDBC of Southern California
Suppliers of the Year
1975 — George Hobbs.
1976 — Lou Agrati.
1977 — Chico Santillan.
1978 — Mark Levey.
1979 — Morrie Rosenfeld.
1980 — Ken Tisdell.
1981 — Walt Scheck.
1982 — Larry English.
1983 — Bob Garcia.
1984 — Ted Hopkins.
1985 — Bob Fetzner.
1986 — Joe Wilson.
1987 — Claus Simon.
1988 — Joe Malin.
1989 — Tom Keyes.
1990 — Creighton Wiggins.
1991 — Gary Illingworth.
1992 — Paul Yates.
1993 — Rob Willardson.
1994 — Mark Dixon.
1995 — Dick Schwebe.
14 DDBC News, January-February 2015
Congratulations to Craig Covell
of Reynaldo’s Mexican Food
Company for being
awarded the DDBC
Supplier of the year
for 2014!
Thank you for all the years
of service and dedication
to the industry!
1/2-page ad here
reynaldo’s mexican foods
4-c
new
from deirdre
Best Wishes,
Your Teammates, Friends and
Colleagues at Reynaldo’s Mexican
Food Company LLC
2014 Hall of Fame Inductees:
Cheryl Kennick
City of Hope
Dave Daniel
Pacific Rim Publishing Co.
2014 Retailer of the Year:
Laura Taketomo
Food 4 Less
Insight Food Sales, Inc.
is proud to congratulate
the 2014 DDBC Award Winners!
2014 Suppliers of the Year:
Craig Covell
Reynaldo’s Mexican Foods
John Nielsen
Acosta
Insight Food Sales, Inc.
1938 N. Batavia St. STE. K, Orange, CA 92865 | t 714.685.9323 f 714.685.9773
DDBC News, January-February 2015
15
2014 Supplier of the Year
John Nielsen, Acosta
Longtime member
gives credit to those
who work with him
By DAVE DANIEL
Editor, DDBC News
John Nielsen is gracious and humble
about being selected as one of two Suppliers of the Year for 2014 by the Dairy Deli
Bakery Council (DDBC) of Southern California. He also knows how he received the
honor.
In his post as Team Leader/Kroger West
for Acosta, he is Director of a team that includes seven Business Managers, three
Assistant Managers, and three Merchandisers that handle Acosta’s perishables business at Ralphs Grocery Co. and Food 4 Less.
“I am working with a great bunch of
people and they make me look good,” he
said. “I really don’t have to manage much at
all. I am sure that is why I am receiving this
honor. That’s how you become Supplier of
the Year – just have good people working
with you.”
Nielsen has been at Acosta for 14 years,
but traveled a meandering path to arrive at
the spot he is at now. He was born in Pennsylvania, but his family moved to Connecticut when he was two years old.
His first job in the food industry was at
age 16 in Cristino’s Market in Manchester,
Conn., located about nine miles from Hartford. “I worked in soda pop,” he recalled. “I
would stock the shelves and then handle
the returns back in the day when all the soda
bottles were returnable. Another boy and I
were hired at the same time and the owner
of the market said the one who worked the
hardest would get the job in two weeks.
“I worked really hard for two weeks, but
I didn’t get the job. Later, I found out the
other boy was the owner’s nephew. That
was my first lesson in business,” he recalled.
Even though that short-lived job was his
introduction into the food industry, he already had an interesting resume, which
started at age 9 shining shoes on Main St.
in Manchester. By age 10, he had two paper
routes … delivering the afternoon Manches-
16 DDBC News, January-February 2015
John Nielsen
ter Herald and the morning Hartford Courant, the nation’s oldest newspaper. He held
those posts until he was 14.
He also set pins in a bowling alley for 50
cents a game and shot pool for money.
“Nothing is more stressful than playing a
game of pool for money ... and not having it
if you lose,” he said.
Then he picked tobacco for two summers
in 1964 and ’65. “Tobacco was a big crop in
Connecticut at the time,” he said. “It was
broad-leaf tobacco that was used as a wrapper for cigars.”
The best thing that happened to him in
1964 was he met his wife, Debbie. They were
in the eighth grade and have been married
43 years. “Her family moved to California in
1968 when we were in high school. I wanted
to go to college, but it was too expensive
for me then. It cost around $4,000 to attend
UConn (U. of Connecticut) and I didn’t have
the money.”
Nielsen’s father had been killed in the
Korean War, but John was able to use the
benefits of his father’s G.I. Bill for school.
He moved to California in 1969 and began
classes at Orange Coast College in Costa
Mesa before transferring to Long Beach
State and earning his B.A. in American History by 1974. “The G.I. Bill only paid for four
years, so I had to get through in that time
span,” he said.
Debbie had become a nurse, so John returned to OCC to become a respiratory therapist. “I thought that made sense, but it didn’t
work out. I found out I didn’t like death.”
That’s when he joined the food industry
in California. He took a job at Bradshaw, Inc.South in 1976, working first in merchandising, then in grocery, and finally in BeerWine-Spirits, where one of his co-workers
was Connie Thatcher, the 2014 President of
the DDBC.
He remained at Bradshaw for 15 years –
until moving to Normark & Associates, one
of the top perishables broker in the area …
except he wasn’t working with perishables
there. “I was the director of Frozen/Grocery,”
he said.
He became acquainted with the DDBC
while at Normark, thanks to Mark Dixon, a
Past President and a DDBC Hall of Famer
whom he still works with at Acosta.
He remained at Normark until that company was acquired by Kelley-Clarke. Nielsen
moved to Marketing Specialists until that
company closed its doors in 2000 and he
moved to Acosta, where he reps such lines
as Minute Maid, Welch’s, Heinz, and Pinnacle, but is responsible for all the lines his
Business Managers handle for Acosta.
While work takes up most of his time, he
and Debbie love to spend time with their
five grandchildren. John is a big sports fan
and likes to go to Dodgers games, along
with an occasional outing to the Angels. “I
also play golf, but I stink at it,” he said. “Stay
away from the right side of the fairway when
I hit. If you’ve seen me play, you know to
always stay on the left side.”
He also enjoys river rafting, having taken
trips down the Kern, American, and King
Rivers, which have many areas for experts
only. “I have been 7 or 8 times and always
go with a group of guys. Not everyone likes
to go over waterfalls and through the rapids,” he noted.
He also has been on the Colorado River,
but the pretty tame portion along Laughlin,
Nev. for an annual event known as the
“Float.” “It takes 5 hours to go 7 miles,” he
Continued on Page 20
LA MEXICANA
We are proud to congratulate
John Nielsen of Acosta DDBC Supplier of the Year
La Mexicana Food Products
4601 Pacific Boulevard, Vernon, CA 90058
2014 Hall of Fame Inductee
Cheryl Kennick, City of Hope
Continued from Page 8
left alone. It is a pleasure to work in an industry that makes such a difference today
and in the legacy they want to leave for a
better tomorrow.”
City of Hope not only has a network of
community clinics in Los Angeles and Riverside Counties, it is part of an international
collaboration effort of some 500 projects at
400 institutions in 40 states and more than
30 countries. “No matter where you live,
chances are we’re working with an institution near you,” said Cheryl.
She has helped scores of people from the
food industry looking for information on care
for their family and friends. “All I do is get
the door at City of Hope open for someone,
and let the angels do their work. I follow up,
to make sure they get what they need. My
heart breaks when a man calls seeking help
for his wife, daughter, mother - any woman
he loves. You can always hear the tears in
their voice, wanting to do anything they can
for their loved one.”
Kennick, a native of Albany, New York
and her family moved to Pasadena the year
after she graduated from high school. She
worked at Security Bank and Casablanca
Fans before joining the food industry with
KDS Marketing in 1982, where she was an
account coordinator. She worked as the inhouse rep for Bradshaw South, Westward
Ho Markets and Vons Grocery.
She had a brief stint with Jo Ann Benci’s
company before moving to Total Access
Marketing from 1992 to 1995 as an account
executive before joining the City of Hope.
She also is highly visible in other food
organizations, such as the Frozen Food
Council, the Produce and Floral Council, and
FISMC (Food Industry Sales Manager
Club). “They all support the City of Hope
and I believe in giving back to them,” she
said.
Kennick was the DDBC’s Big Cheese in
1995. She serves as an Illuminator, an industry group that supports the CGA and
WAFC. She also served on their board.
She was presented a Spirit of Life Award
from the Produce Industry, along with a
$10,000 donation for City of Hope. She recently attended the USC Executive Program,
is on the committee for Southern California
in the Network of Executive Women, and is
a supporter of the Boy Scouts.
Among her other honors, she will be profiled as a “Woman of Influence” by the Griffin Report in February. She also was a
‘Woman of the Industry’ by FISMIC. She
took part in the Olympic Torch Relay in 2002,
chosen by Coca Cola.
Her husband John died of a heart attack
at age 57 and she lost her long-time partner
Jack Murphy, last November. “I had known
him since I was 19. He was a long-time family friend. We were together 10 years. He
was proud of my accomplishments and of
the industry,” she said. “He was looking
forward to Awards Night.”
She has strong family ties. Her sister
Angela, and niece – also Angela – own and
operate Angela’s Italian Kitchen in San
Dimas. Her mother, Connie, 85, still rolls the
meatballs for the restaurant. “They have
been open for six years and have won an
award every year they’ve been in business,”
she said proudly.
She has a wide range of interests when
she is not raising funds. “I like to ride my
bike with my yellow lab GiGi and go to spin
class. Jack and I owned a champion horse,
China Cowboy. When we weren’t riding
him, he spent his time as a therapy horse for
autistic children. China passed away at 23
years old last April.”
She also enjoys home improvement
projects. “There is always something to
do,” she points out. She likes cooking, entertaining family and friends, working in the
garden and enjoys browsing antique stores.
Please join the DDBC in saluting Cheryl
on her induction into the Hall of Fame.
2014 Retailer of the Year
Dave Daniel, DDBC News
Continued from Page 10
Ellis and Daniel split the partnership in
1998 when one of the company’s accounts,
Managed Pharmacy Care, tapped Ellis as Executive Director. Daniel kept the publishing end, known as Pacific Rim Publishing,
and reformed it with Mary as his business
partner.
“She’s the brains behind our success,”
he said, “just like she always has been. She
runs the office, acting as receptionist, bookkeeper, payroll clerk and chief financial officer, secretary, public relations department,
18 DDBC News, January-February 2015
head proofreader for every item that leaves
the office before it goes to the printer, and
anything else you can think of. I have been
fortunate to have her as a partner in every
aspect of my life, so this award goes into
the community property category.”
The Daniel’s three children all also have
long-time experience in their chosen jobs.
Daughter Lisa Barsh has worked for Varsity
Spirit, headquartered in Memphis, for 25
years. Son Jim has had the same position
with a national accounting company for the
same amount of time. Son Jeff has worked
at Unified Grocers for 17 years. Each of the
kids has two children each, giving Dave and
Mary six grandchildren – five boys and one
girl.
“Being selected to the Hall of Fame is a
great honor,” Daniel said. “I was speechless when I was informed the Past Presidents had elected me. I was never the seller
of a product, the buyer of one, or a manufacturer, broker or distributor of one. But I
was there to meet and greet those people
for a long time. I’m glad they noticed.”
Please join the DDBC on saluting Daniel
on being inducted into the DDBC Hall of
Fame.
47th National Seminar Presented by the DDBC
Laguna Cliffs Marriott • Dana Point; Sept. 11-13, 2015
Two-Night Package
By Aug. 1
After Aug. 1
GOLF/SPA PACKAGES
Deluxe Room
Couple $1,299.00
$1,399.00
Deluxe Room
Single $ 999.00
$1,099.00
Additonal night stay – Available for $250.00 each night.
Two-night Seminar package includes hotel, taxes, resort fees, internet
access, valet parking for one vehicle, all meals, entertainment and
business sessions.
GOLF: 7th Tisdell Cup – National DDBC
Golf Scramble at Monarch Beach Golf
Club
Friday, Sept. 11, 12:15 Tee Time - $250 Per
Golfer or $950 Per Foursome
SPA: at Laguna Cliffs Marriott Spa,
$250 Per Person
Children’s packages are available for $130.00 per child (Ages 5-12).
PAYMENT INFORMATION
Register early to save money. Rooms are limited. Cancellation policy: Payment of Seminar package will be refunded, less
$100 administrative costs, if received prior to Aug. 1. After
Aug. 1, payment fee is NOT refundable.
Names (For badges;
include spouse’s name)
Company name
Enclosed payment summary:
Seminar Payment
$__________
Additional room night $__________
Golf
$__________
Spa
$__________
Children’s package $__________
Sponsorship/Hosting $__________
Total enclosed
Make checks payable to: “DDBC of Southern California”
and mail registration, along with payment, to: DDBC, P.O. Box
1872, Whittier, CA 90609.
Packages
E-mail address
Golf
Spa
Specify: Couple ___ Single ___
Specify: Thursday ___ Sunday ___
Sponsor Levels Available:
General $400 ___ Bronze $1,500 ___
Silver $2,500 ___ Gold $5,000 ___
Platinum $10,000 ___ Other ___
$__________
Name on Credit Card__________________________________
Signature___________________________________________
Credit Card number___________________________________
Expiration Date______________________________________
DDBC of Southern California, P.O. Box 1872, Whittier, CA 90609; 562-947-7016; FAX: 562-947-7872; [email protected].
DDBC News, January-February 2015
19
2014 Retailer of the Year
Laura Taketomo, Food 4 Less
Continued from Page 12
“I had worked as a temp for a year in the
Accounting Department and was ready for
a change,” she recalled. “An opening came
up in the Meat Department and I moved
there as a Cost Order Clerk. This was in the
days before we had computers, so I would
get carbon copies of orders, call the suppliers, coordinate with the stores, and then type
the ads. I think this post is called Assistant
Category Manager Support now and everything is done on the computer.”
She recently moved to GM/HBC with the
condition she would remain involved with
the DDBC, to which the company readily
agreed. “There are nearly three times as
many SKUs here than we have in the Meat
Department,” she said. She is responsible
for filling the shelves for 130 stores since 14
were scheduled to close in Las Vegas at the
first of the year.
Taketomo’s daughter, Jenny, is a threetime winner of a DDBC Scholarship. She will
graduate from Cal State Los Angeles in
March with a degree in Criminal Justice. Her
son Justin saw a budding hockey career end
recently because of injuries and currently is
looking for a job.
Taketomo enjoys going to movies and
loves reading, but also enjoys playing
games with family members. “We play any
and every type of card game,” she said, “and
somewhere on my father’s side, they figured out a way for money to change hands
on every game, no matter what it is.”
Laura is the only member of her family to
work in the food industry. Her mother was a
homemaker and her father was a Director at
Rockwell International who helped shepherd
the B-1 Bomber program.
Please join with the DDBC on congratulating her as the Retailer of the Year.
2014 Supplier of the Year
Craig Covell, Reynaldo’s Mexican Foods
Continued from Page 14
have to wear a lot of different hats. About
the only thing I have not done is know how
to make the products.
“I will still be calling on Unified Grocers
and a couple of other accounts,” he said of
his future endeavors. “I also will call on convenience stores with our burrito lines and I
may do all kinds of different things … whatever they want me to do or whatever they
have a need for me to do.”
Covell and Lonnie Cope handle sales
from the Vernon office while former DDBC
Board member Tammy Wilson covers North-
ern California for the company. “With a small
sales force, we have to remain in almost constant contact,” he said.
“The best part of my job has been the
customers I call on. We have a very good
group of retailers that buy our products …
from the big chains to the Unified Grocers
accounts. This is a great industry with a lot
of good people in it. We are fortunate we
are in this business and not in some other
industries that are not doing as good,” he
said.
“I am honored and pleased to be recognized by the DDBC,” he added. “I have
2014 Supplier of the Year
John Nielsen, Acosta
Continued from Page 16
said with a smile, “and there is a lot of drinking involved.”
His other hobby is his 1969 Karmen Ghia,
which is 80-90 percent restored. “It is drivable, but it still needs some trim,” he said. “I
20 DDBC News, January-February 2015
had an Austin Healy Sprite before and I always wanted an older, small, convertible …
and this came along at the right price.”
And Nielsen came along at the right time,
too. Please join the DDBC on saluting him
as our 2014 Supplier of the Year.
spent a lot of years working in the trade and
I have not spent enough time with the Council because of work schedules and travel,
but I have always encouraged others to be
involved … and I still plan to be around
another year or two.”
He also has some ideas for a couple of
trips he would like to take with Noelle, his
wife of 46 years. “We would like to see Italy
and China,” he said. “China is so interesting to me … from Shanghai to the Forbidden City to Peking. My wife is with the
Monrovia Unified School District, which
had a group of students and teachers visiting from China recently. We got to meet them
and that is why we have an interest in going
there.”
He hasn’t mapped out an itinerary or
made reservations yet, but there is time for
that.
He also will get to spend more time on
his boat at Lake Havasu. “We don’t water
ski or fish, but we do like to catch a few rays
and have a couple of cold ones,” he said.
“And go fast.”
He also likes to play golf, although he
admits he isn’t very good at it.
Please join the DDBC in congratulating
him on his selection as 2014 Supplier of the
Year.
Industry News
MAGA dissolves
after 37 years
Deli News 1966
The Mexican American Grocers Association (MAGA) is dissolving the organization,
effective Jan. 1, according to an article in
The Shelby Report.
In an e-mail sent Dec. 10, a MAGA
spokesman said, “After 37 years, the Mexican American Grocers Association will be
closing its doors and terminating all operations and activities. … We want to take this
opportunity to thank you all for your support and friendship throughout the years.
We wish you all the very best and a successful future.”
Steven A. Soto, MAGA president and
CEO, stepped down Dec. 1 after 30 years at
the organization.
In an email to The Shelby Report, Soto
said of MAGA: “What started out as an effort to change our Hispanic community
ended up changing a whole industry. I’ll
leave you with our mission statement, ‘Our
Social Activities Must Make Good Business
Sense and Our Business Activities Must
Make Good Social Sense.’ This mission
statement is something I hope most companies would adhere to.”
MAGA formed in 1977 and describes itself as a national trade association for the
“rapidly growing $1 trillion dollar Hispanic
consumer and the retail, wholesale and
manufacturing businesses that serve them
in the grocery industry across the United
States and Mexico.”
The MAGA website has been discontinued.
Expo West
speakers set
DR. David Perlmutter, M.D., author of
Grain Brain will be the Friday keynote
speaker at the Natural Products Expo West
March 6-8 in Anaheim .
Mark Bittman, whose “Minimalist” column rant in the Dining section of the New
York Times for more than 13 years, will speak
Saturday. He is a Times Opinion columnist,
the lead food writer for The Times Magazine. For more information, visit
www.expowest.com.
Dairy Deli Bakery Council (DDBC)
of Southern California Historian Jim
Veregge (Unified Grocers) has been
plowing through issues of DDBC News,
which celebrated its 50th Anniversary
in 2014, including its previous incarnations as Deli World and Deli News.
“For many years, the Deli Council
was comprised of nearly all men, although it was not chartered that way,”
Veregge said. “That’s just the way the
industry was 50 years ago.”
That fact was clearly evident in 1966
as this cover of Deli News demonstrates.
“We certainly don’t mean to embarrass the Council or anyone connected
with it,” Veregge said. “We’ve come a
long way since those days of being politically incorrect.”
DDBC News editor Dave Daniel said,
“I’m glad the Past Presidents elected me
to the Hall of Fame before Jim dug out
this issue. Now I’m just hoping they
don’t change their minds.”
DDBC News, January-February 2015
21
Industry News
IDDBA’s ‘What’s in Store 2015’ ready
Madison, WI – Health and wellness are
important factors in the buying habits of an
increasing number of consumers, with sales
of natural, local, organic, gluten-free, and
non-GMO products spiking over the past
year.
This and dozens of other food industry
and consumer trends in supermarket fresh
departments are detailed in What’s in Store
2015, the 29th edition of the annual trends
publication of the International Dairy-DeliBakery Association™ (IDDBA).
Among the highlights of this health and
wellness movement:
The dieting trend is on the decline, with
individuals seeking a more balanced approach to weight loss and management.
Seventy-five percent of retailers and
wholesalers reported an increase in sales of
health and wellness products, with more
than 40% posting sales growth of 10% or
more, according to Supermarket News.
Sales of local food are worth at least $9
billion annually, with 40% of consumers stating they purchase food weekly and 28%
buying local at least once a month, according to A.T. Kearney.
The value of the gluten-free market is
substantial, with sales estimates as high as
$10.5 billion in 2013 and a projected worth
of $15.6 billion in 2016, according to Mintel.
Gluten-free buying habits translate into
higher sales ($100 vs. $33 per overall average basket), according to Catalina Marketing.
IDDBA research shows that digestive
health is a distinctive health concern among
Millennials, who seek out more fermented,
cultured, and probiotic products.
Almost 13% of all new food and beverage launches in 2013 include “free-from”
claims.
Sales of organic food and non-food items
in the United States exceeded $35 billion in
2013, an 11.5% year-over-year increase and
the fastest growth rate in five years, stated
the Organic Trade Association.
Confirming these health and wellness
trends are findings in IDDBA’s original research, Engaging the Evolving Shopper:
Serving the New American Appetite, which
shows that consumers view foods found in
the fresh perimeter categories as antidotes
to unhealthy, processed foods. For example,
the dairy department represents a real-food
source of protein in the form of yogurt, milk,
cheese, eggs, and tofu, while the bakery
department has an increasing opportunity
to deliver on key wellness priorities with more
focus on a wider variety of fresh, whole grain
and gluten-free products.
“In-store bakeries, delis, and dairies can
engage consumers by presenting them with
a variety of fresh, real, and minimally-pro-
Orzulak added as Coordinator for
Preferred Sales and Marketing
Ranchelle Orzulak has joined Preferred
Sales and Marketing as Sales and Marketing Coordinator, effective Dec. 1, 2014.
In her new role, she is responsible for
expanding product & brand expansion,
tradeshow management, and marketing
initiatives.
Orzulak has a strong background in
building brands in competitive markets
with a focus on premium and natural food
products to multiple market channels. She
is a graduate from California State University Fullerton with a B.A. degree in
Business Administration with a concen-
22 DDBC News, January-February 2015
tration in marketing.
“It is exciting to be able to be a part of
the Preferred Sales & Marketing Team to
support the continued growth of dynamic
brands across the country,” she said.
Preferred Sales & Marketing (PSM),
headquartered in Newport Beach, is a
leader in strategic sales development and
management of food manufacturers for
both retail and private label products with
an emphasis on “best of class” product
offerings.
Orzulak may be reached at 714-4045257; rachelle@psm—sales.com.
cessed foods,” said Eric Richard, education
coordinator, IDDBA. “By doing so, they
become part of shoppers’ conversations
about what is healthy and delicious to eat,
and where they can easily find these foods
to purchase.”
What’s in Store 2015 is a 224-page
trends report that details consumer and
industry trends affecting the in-store dairy
case, cheese case, bakery, deli, and
foodservice departments. Its 200+ tables,
developed in cooperation with leading industry firms and associations, include department sales, per capita consumption,
consumer preferences, system 2, UPC, and
private label sales data. The purchase of
What’s in Store 2015 includes access to
What’s in Store Online, a collection of
downloadable tables from the book, plus
white papers and trends articles (many
with accompanying downloadable tables)
that offer supplementary in-depth trends
information. The cost is $99 for IDDBA
members and $399 for non-members, plus
shipping and handling. For more information and to order, visit iddba.org/wis.aspx.
Engaging the Evolving Shopper: Serving
the New American Appetite is IDDBA’s latest original research that explores the
evolving U.S. shopper of fresh perimeter
categories – dairy, deli, bakery, prepared
foods, specialty cheese and specialty meats
– through the lens of Millennials, modern
eating, health and wellness, and digital
engagement. This study provides insights
and implications around: how Millennials
are shaping food trends, particularly in
fresh perimeter categories; how new demands of modern life are changing eating
culture, enabling meals and snacks to happen anytime and anywhere, shaping how
shoppers think about the fresh perimeter;
how health and wellness trends have redefined how shoppers see the role of food in
their lives; and how technology has become
integrated in shoppers’ lives as they seek
information and inspiration both in-store
and digitally for deeper engagement with
their foods. The research is free to members
and $795 for nonmembers, plus shipping
and handling. For more information and
to
order,
visit
iddba.org/
engagingevolvingshopper.aspx.
David Dillon retires from
Kroger after 38 years
Volunteers from the DDBC included, from left, Cynthia
Yarak (Risvold’s), Bill Mackie (Processors Research
and Marketing), Miriam Welch (Albertsons), Debbie
Jones (J. Brass Company) and Patti Winsell.
DDBC volunteers
at Second Harvest
Food Bank
Several members of the Dairy Deli Bakery Council (DDBC)
of Southern California volunteered at the Second Harvest
Food Bank of Orange County in November. The facility is
located in Irvine.
“We had a great event,” said DDBC Board member Miriam
Welch (Albertsons). “The DDBC and the SCFRC team worked
with other volunteers to bag approximately 10,500 pounds of
loose apples for senior brown bag programs.”
The Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County was
established in 1983 and feeds an average of 1.5 million pounds
of food -- enough food for 1.25 million meals. Nearly 400,000
people (about 12.7 percent) in Orange County are at-risk of
hunger. One in five children in the country are at-risk.
More than 340 community partners distribute food at more
than 480 sites. Nearly 92,000 volunteer hours were on the
books in 2013 as more than 15,000 people volunteered.
More than 90 cents of every doller spent goes to programs and services.
The facility is located at 8014 Marine Way, Irvine 92618.
Contact information: 949-653-2900; [email protected];
www.feedOC.org.
David B. Dillon, who led The Kroger Co. leadership team’s development of the company’s successful Customer 1st Strategy, retired as chairman of the board on Dec. 31, after 38 years of service.
As expected, the Kroger Board of Directors elected Rodney
McMullen, Kroger’s chief executive officer, to the additional post
of chairman commencing on Jan. 1. McMullen has served on the
Board of Directors since 2003.
Dillon served as Kroger’s chairman from 2004-14 and as chief
executive officer from 2003-13. Prior to that, he held a variety of
executive positions at Kroger and Dillons Companies, which merged
in 1983. During his tenure as CEO, Kroger grew revenue by $45
billion, created 53,000 new jobs, reduced costs for eight consecutive years and returned $9.2 billion to shareholders through share
repurchases and dividends, which were reinstated in 2006.
As part of the Customer 1st Strategy, Dillon and McMullen, who
was then serving as vice chairman, had the foresight to create and
execute a long-term price investment strategy that has enabled
Kroger to deliver sustainable business growth and shareholder
returns, while also saving customers nearly $3 billion annually
through lower prices. This laid the foundation for Kroger’s growth
plan, announced in October 2012, which expands the Customer 1st
Strategy by: accelerating growth in Kroger’s core business and
improving the company’s connection with all customers; expanding Kroger’s presence in new and existing markets; and innovating
to create unique competitive positioning for today and the future.
Kroger has also become a leader in supermarket sustainability
under Dillon’s leadership. The company has reduced energy consumption in stores by 35 percent since 2000 and reduced its carbon
footprint by 4.4 percent since 2006. More than half of the company’s
37 manufacturing facilities are zero waste. Kroger’s efforts to feed
families struggling with hunger have grown to total contributions
of 250 million meals – 4 million meals per week – in 2013.
“For Dave, Customer 1st – which truly put our customers at the
center of how Kroger runs its business – was more than a successful business strategy. It was a philosophy that he believed and
lived through his actions every day, and as a result he inspired
thousands of our associates during his many years of service to
Kroger and Dillons Companies,” said Mr. McMullen. “He understood that Kroger’s greatest asset is the trust that our customers,
associates and shareholders have in our company. We are all the
beneficiaries of Dave’s extraordinary leadership.”
Kroger, one of the world’s largest retailers, employs more than
375,000 associates who serve customers in 2,631 supermarkets and
multi-department stores in 34 states and the District of Columbia
under two dozen local banner names including Kroger, City Market, Dillons, Food 4 Less, Fred Meyer, Fry’s, Harris Teeter, Jay C,
King Soopers, QFC, Ralphs and Smith’s. The company also operates 783 convenience stores, 325 fine jewelry stores, 1,293 supermarket fuel centers and 37 food processing plants in the U.S.
Recognized by Forbes as the most generous company in America,
Kroger supports hunger relief, breast cancer awareness, the military and their families, and more than 30,000 schools and grassroots
organizations. Kroger contributes food and funds equal to 200 million meals a year through more than 100 Feeding America food
bank partners.
DDBC News, January-February 2015
23
Industry News
WAFC draws top keynote speakers
Former First Lady Laura Bush will be the
opening speaker at the Tuesday morning
general session at the 94th Annual
“Advancing the Food Industry Through
Education and Leadership” WAFC
Convention to be held May 2-6 at the JW
Marriott Desert Springs in Palm Desert.
Also, two-time Basketball Hall of Famer
Earvin “Magic” Johnson will be the closing
speaker.
Laura Bush, the wife of 43rd U.S. President George W. Bush, served as first lady
from 2001 to 2009. Known as “One of the
most beloved and admired American First
Ladies,” for decades Laura Bush has championed key issues in the fields of education, health care, and human rights. The
author of the bestselling memoir, Spoken
From The Heart, Mrs. Bush also founded
both the Texas Book Festival and the National Book Festival in Washington D.C.
Today, as the Chair of the Women’s Initiative at the George W. Bush Institute, Mrs.
Bush continues her work on global
healthcare innovations, empowering women
in emerging democracies, education reform,
and supporting the men and women who
have served in America’s military. The Laura
Bush Foundation for America’s Libraries
was founded in 2002. Since its inception,
the Foundation has awarded more than
$11.5 million to schools to support the education of our nation’s children by providing
funds to update, extend and diversify the
book and print collections of America’s
school libraries. Laura Bush holds a degree
in education and a master’s degree in library
science.
“Mrs. Bush’s continued involvement in
education demonstrates her commitment to
positively influence and shape the lives of
others which fits perfectly with WAFC’s mission of “Advancing the Food Industry
Through Education and Leadership,” stated
WAFC President & Chairwoman, Sue Klug
of Unified Grocers.
Johnson is a Major League Baseball
owner, an NBA Legend, a two-time Hall of
Famer, an entrepreneur, a philanthropist and
a motivational speaker. The business mogul
has successfully parlayed his skills and
tenacity on the court into the business
24 DDBC News, January-February 2015
Laura Bush
Magic Johnson
world, propelling his company to the status
of No. 1 Brand in Urban America.
In the business world Johnson is most
noted for his unprecedented Starbucks
partnership, which served as the catalyst
for redevelopment in urban communities and
is literally the blueprint for corporate
America’s engagement and success with
urban consumers. In 2010, the savvy
businessman divested his Starbucks, and
Los Angeles Lakers shares in excess of $100
million dollars.
In 2012, as a member of Guggenheim
Baseball Management (GBM), he became an
owner of the Dodgers. In 2014, Johnson with
some of the partners from GBM, purchased
the Los Angeles Sparks of the WNBA. He
also serves as Chairman and Founder of the
Magic Johnson Foundation, where his
unwavering commitment to transform Urban
America continues through HIV/AIDS
Awareness & Prevention Programs,
Community Empowerment Centers, and the
Taylor Michaels Scholarship Program.
Celebrating more than 20 years of success,
the Magic Johnson Foundation has become
one of the most recognizable philanthropic
organizations around the world.
“Magic Johnson is a legendary figure in
the sports world, in business and in the
many communities he serves. He has
demonstrated a steadfast commitment in
helping young people create better futures
and we are honored to have him as a keynote
speaker at our convention.” stated WAFC
President & Chairwoman, Klug said.
Established in 1921, the WAFC is focused
on providing educational opportunities for
food industry associates. The highly acclaimed Food Industry Management Program at the University of Southern California
Marshall School of Business has been available to qualified industry participants for 56
years. In 2000, the WAFC expanded its
scope by working with community colleges
throughout the Western United States to establish the “Retail Management Certificate
Program.” The Retail Management Certificate Program curriculum is currently available online and at 160 college and satellite
locations.
To learn more about the WAFC, go to
www.wafc.com.
Send your industry news to:
Editor, DDBC News
P.O. Box 4533
Huntington Beach, CA 92647
email: [email protected]
Retailer News
The USC Marshall School of Business
Food Industry Executive Program has appointed Kevin Curry, MBA ’92, the Food
Industry Executive-in-Residence for 2015.
Curry is senior vice president of sales,
marketing, advertising and merchandising
for Raley’s Supermarkets.
Each year, the Food Industry Executive
Program selects a Food Industry Executive
in Residence. This individual typically has
risen to a prominent leadership role in the
food industry, and brings rich experience
and insights to the program
Curry, a FIM alumnus, brings more than
37 years of food industry experience. He has
worked for a variety of retailers during his
career, including Alpha Beta, Lucky,
Albertsons, Safeway and Raley’s.
“I am honored and thrilled to be named
the Food Industry Executive in Residence
for 2015,” said Curry. “The program has been
instrumental to my career, and I am particularly excited to be back working with my FIM
classmate from 1990, Cynthia McCloud, in
her first year as director of the Food Industry Management program. It is a wonderful
opportunity to give back to this remarkable
program.”
Curry has held a variety of positions in
the retail food industry, including store operations, accounting,
warehousing, marketing, sales and merchandising. He
worked for Raley’s
from 2000 to 2005 and
returned in 2012 to his
current role as senior
vice president, in
which he oversees the
sales and marketing,
margin management, store layouts and advertising. He worked for Safeway from 2006
until 2012 in a variety of positions, including vice president and general manager for
the Main Meals business unit.
Curry also serves as the managing partner for the SSI Joint Venture involving
Raley’s and Save Mart stores of Modesto.
He holds a Bachelor of Science in accounting from California State University, Los
Angeles.
The spring session of the Food Industry
Executive Program is scheduled for March
16-19 at USC.
The Food Industry Executive Program is
newly redesigned to provide an innovative
resource for food industry executives, managers and high potentials to strengthen their
business knowledge and skills in order to
direct, grow and inspire their organizations.
“The Food Industry Executive Program
is experience-based and globally relevant,”
said program director Cynthia McCloud.
“Business leaders walk away with practical
knowledge, techniques and tools to address
the business challenges they face every day
and to lead their organizations to superior
performance.”
“The food industry is changing at a constant pace, and whatever your position is in
your organization, you need to know about
the current issues and emerging market
trends,” said Shon Hiatt, faculty director for
Food Industry Executive Program (FIEP) and
an assistant professor of strategy at the USC
Marshall School of Business.
Congratulations to Cheryl Kennick
of City of Hope - 2014 DDBC
Hall of Fame Inductee. From your
friends at KDS Marketing
DDBC News, January-February 2015
25
Calendar
Continued from Page 3
5 – Easter.
16-19 – California Cheese & Butter
Association 50 th Convention, Hyatt
Regency, Incline Village, Nev. Information:
cacheeseandbutter.org.
May
2-6 – Western Association of Food
Chain – Palm Desert. Information:
www.wafc.com.
5 – Cinco de Mayo.
12 – DDBC Membership Meeting,
Embassy Suites Hotel, Garden Grove.
Information: 562-947-7016.
25 – Memorial Day.
June
7-9 – IDDBA Dairy Deli Bake, Atlanta.
Information: www.iddba.org.
July
4 – Independence Day.
7 – DDBC Casino Night, Embassy Suites
Hotel, Garden Grove. Information: 562-9477016. (Date is tentative).
August
11 – DDBC Membership Meeting,
Embassy Suites Hotel, Garden Grove.
Information: 562-947-7016.
19-20 – Unified Grocers Expo, Long
Beach Convention Center.
September
7 – Labor Day.
11-13 – 47th National DDBC Seminar,
Laguna Hills Marriott. Information: 562-9477016.
13-15 – Rosh Hashanah.
16 – Mexican Independence Day.
22-23 – Yom Kippur.
October
11 –DDBC Membership Meeting,
Embassy Suites Hotel, Garden Grove.
Information: 562-947-7016.
November
10 –DDBC Membership Meeting,
Election Night, Embassy Suites Hotel,
Garden Grove. Information: 562-947-7016.
11 – Veterans Day.
26 – Thanksgiving.
December
6-14 – Hanukkah.
25 – Christmas.
2016
January
18 – Martin Luther King Jr. birthday.
February
2-3 – California League of Food
Processors Expo, Sacramento Convention
Center. Information: www.clfp.com.
15 – President’s Day.
March
27 – Easter.
April
5 – Cinco de Mayo.
9-13 – Western Association of Food
Chains Convention, Honolulu.
22-30 – Passover.
May
30 – Memorial Day.
June
5-7 – IDDBA Dairy Deli Bake, Houston.
Information: www.iddba.org
July
4 – Independence Day.
September
5 – Labor Day.
16 – Mexican Independence Day.
October
2-4 – Rosh Hashanah.
11-12 – Yom Kippur.
November
11 – Veterans Day.
24 – Thanksgiving.
December
24-Jan. 1 – Hanukkah.
25 – Christmas Day.
2017
January
16 – Martin Luther King Jr. birthday.
Send news of your company to:
Editor, DDBC News
P.O. Box 4533
Huntington Beach, CA 92647
or email to:
[email protected]
26 DDBC News, January-February 2015
February
20 – President’s Day.
April
11-18 – Passover.
16 – Easter.
22-26 – Western Association of Food
Chains Convention, Palm Desert.
May
5 – Cinco de Mayo.
29 – Memorial Day.
July
4 – Independence Day.
September
4 – Labor Day.
16 – Mexican Independence Day.
20-22 – Rosh Hashanah.
29-30 – Yom Kippur.
November
11 – Veterans Day.
23 – Thanksgiving.
December
13-30 – Hanukkah.
25 – Christmas Day.
MARIN CHEESE COMPANY
Specializing in fine
imported
and domestic
cheeses as well
as a wide variety of
gourmet foods.
63 Paul Drive, San Rafael, CA 94903
Phone: (415) 479-1200
www.marincheese.com
Everyone at Horizon Sales is proud to congratulate all of the
prestigious 2014 DDBC Award Winners!
2014 Hall of Fame Inductees:
Cheryl Kennick, City of Hope and Dave Daniel, Pacific Rim Publishing Co.
2014 Retailer of the Year:
Laura Taketomo, Food 4 Less
2014 Suppliers of the Year:
Craig Covell, Reynaldo’s Mexican Foods and John Nielsen, Acosta
Cheryl Kennick
City of Hope
Hall of Fame Inductee
Dave Daniel
Pacific Rim Publishing Co.
Hall of Fame Inductee
Laura Taketomo
Food 4 Less
Retailer of the Year
3187 Redhill Avenue, Suite 125
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Phone: 714.979.4844 / Fax: 714.979.4955
WWW.HORIZONSALESCORP.COM