Prominent lawmakers, New Jersey business leaders and members of the state’s food industry gathered to mark the 51st annual “Good Government” Breakfast on Sept. 30 at Forsgate Country Club in Monroe.
Hosted by the Food Council Committee for Good Government (FCCfGG), a political action committee (PAC) representing the New Jersey food industry, the event provided an opportunity for the state’s top decision makers and industry leaders to discuss pressing issues as they shared breakfast, according to Linda Doherty, FCCfGG Treasurer and President and CEO of New Jersey Food Council (NJFC).
“This morning’s breakfast is a celebration of the good government process and our commitment to working with government officials and business community leaders on sound public policy,” Doherty said. “I am thrilled we supported two pieces of important industry legislation that became law and will help advance our Food Council mission. I am grateful to all who helped us achieve these goals.”
Attendees heard about legislative priorities impacting NJFC members, such as recently signed organized retail crime legislation, food packaging mandates, SNAP choice restrictions and the state’s reusable bag program.
“We know our partners in Trenton understand that we are not just any industry – we’re the cornerstone of New Jersey communities,” said FCCfGG Chairman Richard Saker, President and CEO of Saker ShopRites. “Therefore together, we will work to ensure that our member food retailers, suppliers, and distributors can continue to keep our state strong, keep our shelves full and keep New Jersey families fed for generations to come.”
There were six honorees at the breakfast:
Good Government Award: Tina-Marie Pilate, NJ Division Manager of Asset Protection, Wegmans Food Markets; Jesse Levine, Senior Director and Chief Compliance Officer, Ravitz Family Markets
- Tina-Marie Pilate, NJ Division Manager of Asset Protection at Wegmans Food Markets, has more than 25 years of expertise in loss prevention. Passionate about advancing the profession, she was a vocal leader in promoting the organized retail crime bill, signed into law on April 1. For example, she appeared on this podcast to promote the legislation before it was enacted.
- Jesse Levine is a Senior Director and Chief Compliance Officer at Ravitz Family Markets. Levine also serves on the FMI – The Food Industry Association’s Asset Protection and Safety Council. He collaborates with grocery retail leaders nationwide to address security and safety challenges and establish industry best practices.
In accepting their awards, Levine and Pilate shared their commitment and advocacy in promoting the organized retail crime bill, protecting businesses, employees and customers. Both recipients testified at every state legislative committee hearing to advocate for the bill (A-4755/S-3587) leading to unanimous support from the N.J. Legislature.
Outstanding Legislator Awards: State Senator John Burzichelli (D-3), Assemblyman Joe Danielsen (D-17) and Assemblyman Alex Sauickie (R-12)
- The three state legislators, serving as prime bill sponsors on A-4755/S-3587, led an aggressive bi-partisan effort to promote the organized retail crime bill and encourage widespread support amongst business and government leaders. As champions, they ensured expedient review from both the Senate and Assembly, with more than 50 legislative co-sponsors. The NJFC lauded these elected officials for their leadership and commitment to the security of New Jersey’s businesses and communities.
With this new law, New Jersey joins neighboring states in taking decisive action against these organized criminal operations and sending a clear message that New Jersey communities and industries will not tolerate retail crime.
“We honored these three lawmakers for their steadfast efforts in fighting to protect businesses, store employees and shoppers who depend on affordable, quality products that should be purchased safely and confidently,” Doherty said.
Thomas W. Kelly Government Service Award: Ed Wengryn, NJ Secretary of Agriculture
- Ed Wengryn is New Jersey’s eighth Secretary of Agriculture since the department was established in 1916. Prior to running the state department, Wengryn worked closely with NJFC while serving at the New Jersey Farm Bureau.
Wengryn’s department also oversees vital food security programs and the Jersey Fresh program, which is the state’s agricultural marketing and quality grading initiative.
Wengryn has generously given of his time over the past two years to meet with the NJFC Leadership Development Class and discuss his role and the food industry’s relationship with the state Department of Agriculture.
As part of the program, the NJFC recognized the graduates of the 2025 Leadership Development Class. Jessica Scaduto of Foodtown/Food Circus serves as Chair of the Leadership Development Program and Matthew Lipowski of J&J Snack Foods serves as Vice Chair, both graduates of the program.
The program concluded with featured speakers Assembly Commerce, Economic Development and Agriculture Chair Bill Spearman (D-5th Dist.), a recipient of the FCCfGG Outstanding Legislator Award in 2024, and Assembly Republican Leader John DiMaio (R-23rd Dist.), who received the FCCfGG Outstanding Legislator Award in 2022.
