Clean Communities Council honors Food Council president with its 2023 Business Partnership Award

The New Jersey Clean Communities Council recently honored New Jersey Food Council President Linda Doherty with its “2023 Clean Communities Business Partnership Award.”

Anyone who knows Doherty knows the recognition was well deserved.

Over the years, NJCCC has launched a number of advocacy and education campaigns in which the nonprofit has relied heavily on Doherty’s guidance to promote innovation within the business community.

NJCCC Executive Director JoAnn Gemenden bestowed the award during the New Jersey Sustainability in Motion Conference, held March 8-10 in Atlantic City. Doherty helped coordinate the inaugural conference in her capacity as volunteer chair of the NJCCC board of trustees.

“Since I have been involved in New Jersey’s anti-litter movement, Linda has been a trailblazer — always finding a way for our voice to be heard and our mission to succeed,” Gemenden said. “Linda is generous with time, with effort and with perspective, as someone who has run one of the state’s most influential and proactive trade associations.

“Linda’s advice always comes with a smile, a word of encouragement and the readiness to roll up her sleeves and help.”

Doherty led the charge toward the enactment last year of the most progressive bag ban in the country, ensuring NJCCC was given the reigns to initiate a statewide education campaign regarding the landmark law. She then led education efforts to inform New Jersey businesses and consumers about the bill, enacted May 4, 2022, as its most vocal supporter.

“There is no doubt that NJCCC would not be the success it is without Linda’s constant support,” Gemenden said. “We are all so grateful to have her at the helm.”