Credit: National Frozen & Refrigerated Foods Association (NFRA)
The National Frozen & Refrigerated Foods Association (NFRA) announced that two industry leaders will be inducted into the Refrigerated Food Hall of Fame this October at the NFRA Convention, and one of them has a local connection.
Tom Robaczewski, the retired director of sales at Horsham-based Bimbo Bakeries USA, and Joey Bates, senior director of store development and strategy – construction, maintenance and market refresh at Matthews, N.C.-based Harris Teeter, are this year's honorees, according to a company announcement.
Robaczewski has more than 40 years of experience in the grocery industry, with a focus on retail, brokerage and manufacturing. He spent 23 years at Dominick’s Finer Foods, including 13 years as a buyer and category manager, before transitioning into brokerage for 14 years, during which time he first became involved with NFRA.
In 2012, he joined Bays Bakery, later acquired by Bimbo, where he led national refrigerated sales efforts, including the Lender’s Bagels line. He contributed to12 years of sales growth at the company. He was a member of the NFRA board of directors for many years and is also a member of the Honorable Order of Golden Penguins.
The Refrigerated Food Hall of Fame was established by NFRA in 2010 to honor individuals whose passion and leadership have furthered the refrigerated foods industry. Inductees are recognized for their enduring contributions to the category and efforts to support the trade association’s mission.
