Wakefern Food Corp. Marks 80 Years and Looks to the Future at 2026 Annual Meeting
New Jersey-based, retailer-owned cooperative reflects on eight decades of serving communities, supporting family-owned businesses and driving growth
Wakefern Food Corp. celebrated its milestone 80th anniversary at its annual shareholders’ meeting Thursday, Oct. 22 at the Hilton in East Brunswick, N.J. The event brought together nearly 700 people including Wakefern members, store management, and retail and Wakefern teams, with thousands more joining virtually from across the cooperative.
Wakefern reported retail sales of $21.5 billion for the 53-week fiscal year that ended October 3, a two percent increase from the prior year. During that same time, cooperative members opened seven stores, including five ShopRite locations, one The Fresh Grocer store and one Price Rite Marketplace, continuing their longstanding commitment to investing in the cooperative’s retail banners.
With a meeting theme focused on a Bold New Future, leadership highlighted Wakefern’s commitment to growth as the New Jersey-based cooperative builds on eight decades of success and looks ahead to its next chapter. Founded in 1946 by eight New Jersey grocers, Wakefern’s member companies today operate hundreds of stores across the Northeast, many owned by families whose roots in the grocery business span multiple generations.
“Eighty years ago, independent grocers came together with a shared vision and founded a cooperative that has grown into one of the most successful food retail organizations in the country,” said Sean McMenamin, chairman of Wakefern Food Corp. “As we honor that legacy, we are also looking ahead. Our future will be shaped by our willingness to think bigger, embrace change, pursue smart growth and move forward together as one cooperative.”
Wakefern members invested more than $150 million in new stores, renovations and customer-focused improvements over the last year, while the cooperative expanded e-commerce capabilities and pick-up and delivery offerings, enhanced training and development programs for retail and corporate teams and services for member companies. Wakefern also continued to grow its wholesale business, including expanding distribution of its Di Bruno Bros. line of specialty products to all 50 states.
“We are creating new opportunities for growth for the cooperative while remaining focused on serving customers and strengthening the family-owned, independent businesses at the heart of Wakefern,” said Wakefern President Mike Stigers. “At the same time, our members continue to invest in their stores, communities and people, and that commitment is fueling our momentum.”
Wakefern recognized two outgoing members of its Board of Directors for their contributions to the cooperative. McMenamin thanked Len Sitar, president of ShopRite of Carteret, and Richard Saker, president and chief executive officer of Saker ShopRites, for their combined 60 years of service to the board.
Four new members were also welcomed to Wakefern’s Board of Directors, including Tim Mannix, vice president of Mannix Family Markets; Dara Sblendorio, president of Sunrise ShopRite; Rick Saker, senior vice president of Saker ShopRites, and Spencer Wolfson, vice president of ShopRite of Lincoln Park. McMenamin said the new members of the board represent the second, third and fourth generations of their family businesses and will help shape Wakefern’s future as the cooperative enters its next chapter.
The cooperative’s prestigious Chairman’s Award went to Larri Wolfson, a third-generation grocer and the owner and operator of ShopRite of Lincoln Park. A past member of Wakefern’s Board of Directors and former vice chairman, Wolfson was honored for his commitment to cooperative values, mentorship of future leaders and dedication to the success of the organization.
“Larri’s impact on Wakefern extends far beyond the leadership positions he has held,” said McMenamin. “His wisdom and unwavering commitment to our cooperative have helped shape generations of Wakefern leaders and strengthen our organization for the future.”
About Wakefern Food Corp.
From a small, local cooperative that began with eight grocery store owners, Wakefern Food Corp. has grown into the largest retailer-owned cooperative in the United States. Founded in 1946, the cooperative is made up of members who today independently own and operate hundreds of supermarkets under the ShopRite, Price Rite Marketplace, The Fresh Grocer, Dearborn Market, Gourmet Garage, Fairway Market, Di Bruno Bros., and Morton Williams banners in New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Rhode Island. For more information, please visit www.wakefern.com.