The New Jersey Food Council’s (NJFC) Annual Membership Meeting had a celebratory air as the trade organization welcomed a new chairman and recognized significant growth with 33 new members and 48 new sponsors for 2025. Both accomplishments are records in NJFC’s 56-year history.
Following the vote at the Jan. 28 meeting, the NJFC Board of Directors announced the election of Jason Read, director of store operations, Region 1 – Central & North Jersey of Wawa, as its new chairman, taking over for Andrew Kent, executive vice president – Glass Gardens ShopRite, who served as chairman for three years.
Read, of Westfield, joined Wawa eight years ago as Director of Store Operations, supporting more than 115 stores in Central and North Jersey and 10 area managers. Prior to Wawa, Read was employed at Starbucks Coffee Co. for 14 years in roles across all domestic business operations.
Last year, Read served as NJFC’s vice chairman; only the second convenience store member to take the organization’s helm in its history.
In his remarks, Read expressed gratitude for Kent’s leadership over the past three years and highlighted the stellar reputation NJFC has among New Jersey state legislators. He leads the 2025 board that includes Michael Styer of Acme Markets, vice chairman; Michael Rothwell of Pennington Quality Market, treasurer; Rafael Cuellar of ShopRite of Passaic, secretary; and Linda Doherty, president & CEO, NJFC.
“It is my intention to build upon the foundation of success that Andrew [Kent] has left and continue to instill the values and principles that have endured from the past 22 chairs before me over the course of the last 56 years,” Read said. “Our industry owes much to our NJFC team and the ever-increasing notoriety NJFC has among legislative leaders, state agencies and business groups.”
During a special presentation to outgoing Chair Andrew Kent, Doherty said the association “shares our gratitude and a great respect for Andrew and his highly-accomplished term.”
“Personally, having worked side by side with Andrew for the last three years, I am grateful for his insight, his superior advocacy efforts, his inclusive leadership and his ability to inspire others,” she said. “Andrew, I cannot thank you enough for your support, tireless optimism and friendship.”
Some other key accomplishments:
Doherty expressed heartfelt gratitude for the tremendous effort, hard work and engagement of you, our members, our committee leaders, our Executive Committee, and team of Officers. “It is through this extraordinary collaboration we have risen to the occasion with our significant legislative, regulatory and association efforts on behalf of the membership.”
As part of meeting, the NJFC welcomed Brian Schaller, the president of Wawa, to deliver remarks and provide the Oath of Office to the new Officer team. Schaller has been with Wawa since 2002 and also contributes to the community through board positions with the Wawa Associates In Need Fund, a nonprofit dedicated to assisting Wawa associates suffering from catastrophic events.
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