/ DISTRIBUTING INFORMATION DISTRIBUTOR NEWS
NEWS DIGESTS
Visits to the Hill allow small-business owners
to distribute crucial information to legislators
The late, great Speaker of the
House Tip O’Neal used
to say, “All politics is
local.” While he was
talking about how concerns of small-town
America can have an
effect on their elected
leaders, the reverse
also is true. Political
issues in Washington
can have a significant
impact on individual businesses, like
foodservice distribution, around the country. The International Foodservice
Distributors Association, or IFDA, spends
a good deal of time and effort trying to educate pols about distributor issues in order
to mitigate the effect of legislation that
would impede local business performance.
One of the initiatives involves distributors themselves. For the past two decades,
members of IFDA have been going to Capitol Hill during an annual event called Day
in Washington. IFDA staff schedules meetings between distributor executives and
members of Congress from their respective
states. The goal is to help senators and representatives understand the impact that
specific legislation and regulations would
have on the distribution business.
IFDA’s Jon Eisen, senior vice president
of government relations, says they try to
narrow the focus to specific issues. In June
distributors went to Hill visits armed with
a leave-behind brochure that describes
IFDA’s position on four issues: the Employee Free Choice Act, food safety, 3 percent withholding and LIFO repeal. Details
can be found at ifdaonline.org.
I attended several of these Days in Washington in the past and was appalled to see
how little understanding there is in general
on the Hill of what distributors
actually do. When lawmakers don’t understand how an industry operates, they
are likely to make laws that are not in the
best interest of progress and profitability.
is to find a way to reach the legislators.
Engaging in face-to-face dialog is the best
way, he says, particularly if your position is
opposed to that of well-heeled lobbyists.
When I asked him if he had seen any
positive results of the meetings he has attended, Sullivan said he was “thrilled and
surprised” to find that one member of Congress he had been calling on since ’07 has
changed his mind on EFCA. The bill as
written essentially would eliminate the secret ballot for union organizing by requiring companies to recognize and bargain
with a union if a majority of employees
sign union authorization cards. The act
would eliminate the right to a federally
supervised secret-ballot election to
determine if a workplace is unionized.
The member of Congress in question
originally supported the bill, but after
much discussion has come to oppose it.
Sullivan believes that most distributors,
like Pate Dawson, pay their employees
well already and provide good benefits.
Whatever side of an issue you are on,
it’s important to encourage direct communication on the pros and cons. Eisen says
the Hill meetings often result in further
contact, with legislators visiting distributor facilities to see firsthand how the business works. Our industry is all about relationships. It’s good to hear about programs
like Day in Washington that builds
relationships with our lawmakers. ■
SODEXO HONORS EDWARD
DON FOR TEAMWORK
CHICAGO — Edward Don & Company, a distributor of foodservice equipment and supplies
based here, has received a Spirit of Teamwork
Award from Sodexo. Edward Don and Sodexo
collaborated on an initiative designed to standardize and streamline purchasing for
Sodexo’s Campus Services Catering Equipment programs.
CAROLINE
PERKINS
■ When lawmakers don’t
understand how industries
operate, they are likely
to make laws that are not
in the best interest of
progress and profitability.
NEW PRODUCE RESEARCH TO
BE UNVEILED AT PMA EVENT
MCLEAN, VA. — The International Foodservice
Distributors Association, located here, will
participate with other industry leaders in discussing new research about operator views of
fresh produce at the Produce Marketing
Association’s 2009 Foodservice Conference
& Exposition in late July. The National
Restaurant Association participated with IFDA
and the PMA in the research. The study iden-tifies key influences on purchasing, attitudes
toward seasonality and the importance of sustainability in produce decisions.
Mac Sullivan, president and chief executive of Pate Dawson, a $210 million distributor in Goldsboro, N.C., has been attending the Days for a number of years. He
agrees with me about the dearth of understanding and adds that few people in Congress have ever actually run a business.
Sullivan emphasizes how important it
U.S. FOODSERVICE CLOSES
DIVISION, REDUCES STAFF
ROSEMONT, ILL. — U.S. Foodservice, the nation’s
No. 2 broadline distributor based here, has
closed down its North Star unit in
Bloomington, Ind. North Star is the company’s
customized distribution subsidiary serving
national chain restaurants. USF also laid off
79 of its 242 employees at its Port Orange,
Fla., North Star unit.
Both moves were credited to loss of a key
chain account customer.
Service is key to the DSR relationship at The Lobster Pound
Lobster, any way you want it, is the order of
the day at The Lobster Pound on Route 1 in
Lincolnville Beach, Maine. Richard
McLaughlin is in his 53rd year with this seafood favorite that overlooks a harbor spilling into Penobscot Bay. At the far side of the harbor is the island of Isleboro, a popular vacation spot.
Richard McLaughlin, with his brother Lynn, bought the restaurant from their parents in 1972. Then Richard bought out Lynn in
1990. Son Peter is the chef, and another son, Rick, owns and operates a takeout place next door. The Lobster Pound has 260 seats
inside and another 40 on the patio. It is open May through October.
Richard McLaughlin has taken part in industry affairs as a board
member of the National Restaurant Association for nine years.
Chef Peter spoke with us about his relationship with the
distributors and distributor sales reps who serve the restaurant.
PROFILES IN
PARTNERSHIP
What is it you look for in a distribu-
tor? What’s kept NorthCenter as the
primary for so many years?
Service. That’s the key. I just got rid of
two specialty distributors because
they weren’t giving me the service I
need, making sure everything is
stocked properly and rotated. They
just didn’t care.
I can call NorthCenter and get any-
thing I need any time. Also, Jim takes care of things when I need
them. I can call him on a Sunday or any time.
GOLBON WELCOMES NEW
MEMBERS, ANNOUNCES TWO
EXECUTIVE APPOINTMENTS
BOISE, IDAHO — Golbon, the distributor marketing group located here, has acquired several
new member companies. They include
Pinellas Wholesale Meats of St. Petersburg,
Fla.; Direct Wholesale Foodservice of
Claysburg, Pa.; Foodco USA of Laurel, Md.;
Cable Meat & Food Service of Marlow, Okla.;
Ismar International Food Trader of Miami;
Penn Jersey Paper of Philadelphia; and
Arrowrock Supply of Boise.
In other news, Golbon said Dale Weller has
joined the team as director of business development. In addition, Mike Shawgo was
appointed to the post of vice president of purchasing and supplier development.
What do distributors do that annoy you?
Well, they try to levy a fuel charge. I won’t pay it. It’s their job to
figure out how to work it into their pricing.
How long have you been chef here at the family restaurant?
Since 1989. I went to Johnson & Wales in Providence [R.I.]. I just
came back from five years working elsewhere. I’ve been back a year.
Who is your primary distributor, and do you have a particular DSR?
I use PFG NorthCenter in Augusta, Maine. They’ve been my distributor since I started as chef. My DSR is Jim Beach.
Do you order electronically?
No, Jim takes my order. I do use their system for shopping for
things and finding out pricing, however. I don’t shop on price,
though. I know chefs who will price shop five or six distributors. I
don’t believe in doing that. You don’t gain anything that way.
— Caroline Perkins
F.A.B. WELCOMES NEWEST
DISTRIBUTOR MEMBERS
ALPHARE TTA, GA. — F.A.B., or Frosty Acres Brands,
the foodservice and marketing cooperative for
independent distributors based here, has welcomed four new member companies. They are
Associated Food Stores of Salt Lake City;
Monterrey Provision Co. of San Diego; S&M
Food Service of Leesville, La.; and Curtis
Packing Company of Tifton, Ga.
