Gaston Diaz Dead at Age 85

Gaston Diaz, one of the most highly-respected members of the Florida food industry, has died at the age of 85. Diaz passed away on the evening of November 19. In the span of his over six decade career, Diaz was a mentor, confidant and friend to independent retailers throughout Florida’s Gold Coast. During his career which covered both wholesale distribution and retail sales, he played a major role in the success of many independent retail store owner/operators.
Gaston Armando Diaz Ruiz was born May 12, 1931 in Camaguey, Cuba. His father Gilberto Diaz was an attorney and judge. His mother, Clemencia Ruiz, dedicated herself to the family’s home.
Diaz was completing his law career when Castro came to power at which time he had to flee the country. He was among the early influx of political refugees to the United States. Upon arriving in New York, he got a job as a porter and later bag boy. During his time in the New York market with companies Pathmark and ShopRite, he would progress from Grocery Manager to ultimately Store Director. During the 1970’s, he was hired by Kmart Foods where he transferred to South Florida. Diaz joined Hill Brothers, a Miami-based wholesaler that was later acquired by Malone & Hyde, before it too was acquired by Fleming Companies. In the 1990’s, Diaz left Flemings to join Associated Grocers of Florida, Inc. as a retail counselor, and went to Southeast Wholesale Foods in 2005. The people that Diaz worked with during his career in South Florida read like a ‘Who’s Who’ of the Florida Market: Tom Milam, John Adams, Steve Moll, Calvin Miller and Rich Bauer.
Diaz was well-known and respected by all within the food industry. “Gaston mentored a lot people who grew and became successful,” SWF Manager, Tony Palacios told TODAY’S GROCER.
Diaz is survived by four daughters: Maria Huergo-DeMartino, a business sales executive; Leticia Diaz, attorney and law school dean; Veronica Diaz, Registered Nurse and Hortencia Di Girolamo, teacher and six grandchildren: Albert, Emily, Danny, Dagoberto, Mallory and Santino. Surviving brothers and sisters include: Gilberto, Raul, Aurora and Otto Diaz.
Memorial services were held at Bernardo Garcia Funeral Home in Miami, Florida. THANK YOU to Pepe Rohaidy for his assistance to this story.

Goya Foods Opens Sustainable Production Facility in New Jersey

Goya Foods, the largest Hispanic-owned food company in the United States, has opened a 240,000 sq. ft., state-of-the-art and sustainable production facility in Secaucus, New Jersey as part of a $250 million investment.
The facility, equipped to manufacture and distribute over 4 million cases of Goya products annually, features new production machinery with cutting edge technology, including a continuous motion line that produces 600 boxes of Goya's rice mixes per minute, six times faster than the company's past production capability. "The opening of our new production facility in Secaucus, along with our current headquarters in Jersey City, not only enables us to operate more efficiently and cost effectively but most importantly, extends 80 years of Goya's heritage in providing our consumers with authentic, high quality and affordable Latin products," says Bob Unanue, President of Goya Foods.
Committed to the construction of environmentally sustainable and eco-friendly facilities, Goya's new facility is also equipped with 6,552 solar panels on 3.7 acres of rooftop to generate over 70% of the building's energy supply and provide a net zero carbon foot-print. Goya is currently working on the installation of rail service, located alongside the facility, which will significantly reduce transportation costs, traffic congestion and fuel consumption.
The opening of Goya's new facility reinforces the company's role as an important and long standing member of New Jersey's business community and ensures the retention of over 61 existing local jobs and 16 new positions. In total, Goya has 26 facilities and employs over 4,500 people throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic and Spain. In 2014-2015, Goya opened up four new facilities in Texas, California, Georgia and the company's current headquarters in Jersey City. Goya's cutting edge, high tech facilities will maintain its mission to produce over 2,500 authentic and affordable products with premium quality and superior taste to national and global markets.

To Promote Breast Cancer Awareness

For the sixth consecutive year Badia Spices, one of today’s leading family-owned Hispanic food companies, is commemorating Breast Cancer Awareness by partnering with National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc. (NBCF). Through this philanthropic partnership, Badia Spices hopes to help expand awareness for breast cancer while raising much needed funds to support the Foundation’s mission of Helping Women Now through early detection, education and support services.
NBCF is one of the most trusted breast cancer charities in the nation. For twelve years, NBCF has received the highest 4-star rating by Charity Navigator, America’s premier charity evaluator. Each year, over 80% of their revenue is directed to their life-saving programs, and NBCF has grown to include partners in all 50 states.
Badia prepares, packages and ships more than 400 different products to more than 70 countries worldwide, which includes the entire United States. Badia is committed to offering their consumers premier quality, at the best prices. In just five years, with the help of its consumers around the world, Badia Spices has raised over $570,000 to benefit NBCF.
“We are so thankful for the continued support of Badia Spices,” said Danae Johnson, Senior Director of Development, NBCF. “Their passion for our cause and their generosity in supporting our programs make them a valued partner in our mission of Helping Women Now.”
“As a father of three daughters, I am honored to once again partner with National Breast Cancer Foundation to help promote and fund their mission of Helping Women Now through early detection, education and support services. We are grateful that our consumers support this initiative and hope to make a long-term impact on improving women’s health care through our partnership with NBCF,” Joseph “Pepe” Badia, President, Badia Spices told TODAY’S GROCER.