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Cibo Vita CEO Named Entrepreneur of the Year in New Jersey

Emre Imamoglu CEO of Cibo Vita, right, accepts the award for New Jersey Entrepreneur of the Year

Emre Imamoglu, CEO of healthy snack food maker Cibo Vita, was named Entrepreneur of the Year, 2022 New Jersey Regional Award Winner, by Ernst & Young at an awards luncheon last month.

Entrepreneur of the Year is one of the preeminent competitive business awards for entrepreneurs and leaders of high-growth companies. Judging was based on commitment to excellence, category diversification and innovation. Factored in the judging were applicants’ responses to questions such as:

  • Identifying opportunity to innovate and create a better world
  • Demonstrating courage perseverance and resilience to overcoming obstacles
  • Inspiring purpose, vision and taking risks
  • Identifying strategies for a sustainable future

Forty-two companies from New Jersey vied for this coveted award. As New Jersey Award Winner, Imamoglu is entered into the Nationals. National finalists and winners will be announced in November in Palm Springs, Calif., at EY’s Strategic Growth Forum.

Founded in 2009, Cibo Vita began by producing private label healthy snack products that consisted of dried fruit and nut combinations for supermarkets nationwide. Nature’s Garden, the company’s flagship brand, launched in 2011. BeHonest low-carb, low-sugar chocolates, launched in 2021.

The company mission is to continuously create innovative products that promote functionuality, digestive wellness and heart health, as well as offer products that are energy boosting and address a ketogenic diet.

Cibo Vita features more than 2,000 SKUs with various combinations of nuts, seeds, dried fruit, trail mixes and coated pretzels and chocolates. Cibo Vita products are sold in supermarkets, big box, drug chains, health food and convenience stores as well as warehouse clubs nationwide.

The company holds certifications for Keto, RSPO, UTZ, Kosher, Organic, Paleo and Gluten-Free. Its manufacturing, distribution, product development, warehouse facilities and corporate offices are based in Totowa, N.J. Since 2018, Cibo Vita has enjoyed a compound annual growth rate of 25.4 percent.

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Olive Oil Industry Leaders Ask FDA for U.S. Standards

Courtesy California Olive Ranch

The American Olive Oil Producers Association, North American Olive Oil Association and Deoleo, the world’s largest olive oil producer, submitted a joint citizen petition to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to adopt enforceable, science-based olive oil standards.

The petition puts forward clear definitions for olive oil grades – extra virgin, virgin, and olive oil – that will help American consumers better understand and have confidence in the quality and authenticity of the olive oil they buy. This clarity will also lead to a better grasp of nutrition benefits at different price points.

For two years, AOOPA, Deoleo and NAOOA have collaborated on determining more stringent olive oil grading and labeling standards that will benefit everyone. The new standards, which the FDA would be empowered to enforce following a final ruling and public comment period, would mark the first time the federal government has adopted mandatory regulations for olive oil, and it’s a key step toward ensuring a more honest, fair, and competitive industry.

“For the first time, top-selling brands such as California Olive Ranch, Pompeian, Bertolli, Filippo Berio, Colavita, Star, Cobram Estate and other major producers have joined forces to drive standards that will help eliminate consumer confusion around one of the healthiest and most delicious foods they can eat. Stricter labeling practices will allow consumers to feel confident that the olive oil they buy will deliver the quality, value, and health benefits they expect,” said NAOOA Chairman Marco de Ceglie.

If approved by the FDA, the standards would give growers, producers and bottlers an edge in a highly competitive market, and it will instate practices that drive a more trustworthy industry, according to the groups. The current joint petition responds to FDA’s request for a robust and unified effort from the industry, and it addresses all relevant points of reference.

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SpartanNash Military Fundraiser Under Way

Food solutions company SpartanNash is holding its annual companywide fundraising campaign to support military servicemembers, veterans and their families. The SpartanNash Foundation military fundraiser will run from through July 10.

All money raised in the military fundraiser will be divided evenly between three nonprofit organizations – Team Red, White & BlueOperation Homefront and Honor and Remember – providing critical funding.

“Our partner organizations go above and beyond every day to serve our troops, veterans and their families who have given so much, many who have been seriously injured or have paid the ultimate sacrifice,” said Senior Vice President and Chief Customer Officer David Sisk, who oversees SpartanNash Military, a division of the company and a leading distributor of grocery products to U.S. military commissaries and exchanges worldwide.

“We see firsthand the sacrifices our servicemen and women – and their families – make to protect our freedoms every day, and this is an impactful and meaningful way we can continue to support our American heroes regardless of where they live or the care they need within the community.”

The three organizations support the military community in a variety of ways, including physical and social activity, providing critical financial assistance and family services and honoring those who lost their lives defending American freedoms.

“We are able to deliver upon our mission to build strong, stable and secure military families because of the steadfast commitment of supporters like SpartanNash,” said Operation Homefront Chief Revenue Officer Margi Kirst. “SpartanNash allows us to be there for our fellow Americans in their time of need after all they have done for us in our nation’s time of need.”

“SpartanNash has consistently been on the patriotic forefront of recognizing and identifying the needs of the military community,” said George Lutz, founder and executive director at Honor and Remember. “Through our partnership, we can broaden the message to thousands more who may or may not understand that freedom comes at a very high price.”

Store guests who visit any participating SpartanNash-owned retail store or fuel center during the fundraising period will have the opportunity to donate $1, $5 or $10 at any checkout lane, or round their total up to the nearest dollar to support the three patriotic partners. Customers, and others interested in participating in this fundraising campaign, can also donate online through Fast Lane.

Since 2015, the SpartanNash community has provided $1.75 million in donations to patriotic partners through the SpartanNash Foundation, benefiting veterans service organizations such as Give an Hour, Fisher House Foundation, Blue Star Mothers of America, Inc. and Disabled Veterans National Foundation, in addition to its trio of patriotic partners for 2022.

SpartanNash also proudly hires veterans and military-connected Associates as a military-friendly and veteran-friendly employer.

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