Three Win NJFC Achievement Awards

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The New Jersey Food Council recently honored three members with its annual Industry Achievement awards: (left to right) Gerald Norkus of Norkus Foodtown, Point Pleasant Beach, N.J.; Peter Stigi of Dean Foods, Dallas; and Richard Saker of Saker ShopRites, Freehold, N.J. The award recognizes individuals who have advanced the mission of NJFC and have a history of civic service in New Jersey, in addition to having successful businesses. “This outstanding group of leaders is held in high regard throughout our industry in New Jersey,” said Linda Doherty, president of NJFC.

In accepting his award, Norkus, whose father was one of the founders of the Foodtown marketing and purchasing cooperative, encouraged attendees at the Night of Distinction awards dinner here to also join the Arlington, Va.-based National Grocers Association — “It's our best collective resource to battle Wal-Mart and the rest of the big-box stores,” he said.