Connecticut Food Association

10/08/2026

Last chance to reserve your hotel room at our discounted group rate, the room block for the Food Industry Champions Celebration closes today!

Join us Thursday, October 29 at Mohegan Sun as we celebrate this year’s
Food Industry Champions:
Gina Wasilefsky – Big Y World Class Market
Aaron Russell – Geissler's Supermarket
James Coulombe – Price Chopper Supermarkets
Darren Powers – ShopRite
Leslie Santiago - Stop & Shop

Most Valuable Partners:
Luis Carrasquillo - Goya Foods
Bruce Duley - BRD Consulting
Tia Patterson - C&S Wholesale Grocer

Hear from our featured speaker, Phil Lempert, the SuperMarket Guru.

Haven’t registered yet? There’s still time to join us!

🎟️ Register Today: https://ctfoodassociation.org/food-industry-champions-celebration/

✨ Reserve your room: https://book.passkey.com/gt/221144340?gtid=785e8d82f62a4efbd5e84e8b645907e8

phil

10/02/2026

CT Food Association October Newsletter -

New State Laws Start Oct. 1 Container Redemption Rates Surge Bottle Redemption from Out-of-State is a Crime FDA Food Code Updates 2026

09/21/2026

See Our Champions & MVP's! -

09/17/2026

A meaningful investment in the people who make Connecticut’s food community stronger every day.

Whole Foods Market, which operates 13 stores across Connecticut, has announced a $230 million investment in pay and benefits for its more than 100,000 team members nationwide.

The investment includes higher wages for hourly store team members, expanded health and family benefits, additional support for part-time employees, and new education and training opportunities.

A great example of investing in people and recognizing the important role they play in serving our communities.

Learn More Here: https://www.aboutamazon.com/news/workplace/whole-foods-market-pay-benefits-expansion

Whole Foods Market

09/16/2026

A behind-the-scenes look at our Food Industry Champions interviews! 🎥

Yesterday, we had the pleasure of sitting down with all five of our 2026 Food Industry Champions: Gina Wasilefsky from Big Y World Class Market, Aaron Russell from Geissler's Supermarket, James Coulombe from Price Chopper Supermarkets, Darren Powers from ShopRite, and Leslie Santiago from Stop & Shop.

As well as our three Most Valuable Partners: Luis Carrasquillo from Goya Foods, Bruce Duley from BRD Consulting, and Tia Patterson from C&S Wholesale Grocers!

We’re so excited to share their stories and celebrate the people who make an impact on Connecticut’s food industry.

Thank you to Powerstation Events for helping us highlight our Champions and MVPs and share their stories.

Join us for the 2026 Food Industry Champions Celebration, Oct. 29th at Mohegan Sun.
🎟️ Register today at: https://ctfoodassociation.org/food-industry-champions-celebration/

09/11/2026

Our website has a new look!

We’re excited to share the refreshed CT Food Association website.
Check it out at: https://ctfoodassociation.org/

It’s a great place to keep up with what’s happening across Connecticut’s food industry from industry news and events to advocacy, membership and more.

Be sure to check out our new member video to learn more about who we are and what we do.

09/10/2026

📣CFA Board Member Spotlight: Jordan Coe | Waverly Markets, LLC

🎬 Watch the video here: https://youtu.be/32mL9uFMVzk

Thank you, Jordan, for your leadership and commitment to CFA and to the Connecticut food community! 👏

Wakefern Food Corp. ShopRite

08/31/2026

Meet the 2026 CFA Food Industry Champions!

We’re excited to celebrate this year’s outstanding food industry leaders on October 29th at Mohegan Sun Casino!

⭐ Gina Wasilefsky — Big Y World Class Market
⭐ Aaron Russel — Geissler's Supermarket
⭐ James Coulombe — Price Chopper Supermarkets
⭐ Darren Powers — ShopRite
⭐ Leslie Santiago — Stop & Shop

Join us in celebrating these incredible champions and their contributions to Connecticut’s food industry!

🎟️ Register today and be part of the celebration athttps://ctfoodassociation.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/2026-FICC-Invitation-Registration.pdf

08/13/2026

Celebrating more than 100 years of Geissler's Supermarket! 🎉

This Saturday, August 15th between 11AM-2PM, Geissler’s in East Windsor is bringing the community together for The Great Geissler’s Gathering, a celebration of more than a century in business.

🌽 Enjoy free samples from Geissler’s and local food partners
🍔 Support Five Corner Cupboard with a community cookout
🦪 See an oyster-shucking demonstration and enjoy a raw bar
🚜 Meet local farmers, including Justin Bordua of Bordua Farms
🐕 Say hello to K-9 Mylo from the East Windsor Police Department
🚒 Check out the Touch-a-Truck with Warehouse Point Fire Department
🎈 Kids’ games, raffles, giveaways and more

Congratulations to Geissler’s on this incredible milestone!

08/06/2026

Thank you to Big Y World Class Market in Bishops Corner for hosting Governor Ned Lamont, Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz, Connecticut Department of Labor Commissioner Danté Bartolomeo, State Senator Derek Slap, State Senator Julie Kushner, and Foodshare President & CEO Jason Jakubowski.

The Connecticut Food Association appreciates the Governor's administration and our legislative partners for their continued collaboration on issues important to consumers and the food industry. We are grateful to Big Y for their hospitality and leadership in bringing together public and private sector leaders to discuss opportunities that strengthen Connecticut's workforce, economy, and food system.

Office of Governor Ned Lamont Office of Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz Connecticut Foodshare