WOODLAND PARK, NJ -- The Eastern Produce Council held its 47th annual dinner dance Saturday evening, April 11, at its "favorite venue," the Westmount Country Club, here. Attendees enjoyed excellent food and music, as always, and in keeping with its ongoing commitment to "give back to our community," the council made three charitable donations to very worthy organizations. The council also completely surprised one of its own with a very special award.On behalf of New Jersey Farmers Against Hunger, which is spearheaded by the New Jersey Agricultural Society, Jim Giamarese, Kristina Guttadora and Jerry Verrico (second, third and fourth from left) accepted a charitable donation of $5,000 from EPC's Vic Savanello and Paul Kneeland. Additional photos available here.

"It is great to be back here at our favorite venue, the Westmount Country Club," EPC President Paul Kneeland said in his welcoming remarks. Kneeland, who is also vice president of produce, floral, seafood and meat at Kings Food Markets and Balducci's Food Lovers Markets, then introduced some of the dignitaries who were in the audience: Douglas Fisher, New Jersey's secretary of agriculture; Arthur R. Brown Jr., a former and longtime New Jersey secretary of agriculture; Jim Allen, president of the New York Apple Association; Paul Hlubik, executive director of the USDA's Farm Service Agency; and Jeff Oberman, vice president of United Fresh Produce Association.

Noting that one of the council's goals is to "give back to our community and to recognize and contribute to worthy charitable organizations," Kneeland said that "we are proud to present $5,000 checks to three most deserving recipients." Larry Van De Walk, executive director of the Lead New York Program, accepted for his organization; Lynn Hoffman, executive director of the Tomorrows Children's Fund, accepted for her organization; and Jerry Verrico, Kris Guttadora and Jim Giamarese of the New Jersey Agricultural Society's Farmers Against Hunger Program accepted for their organization.

Kneeland also announced that the council will hold its first Joe DeLorenzo Family Day "in honor of Joe D, who we lost this past year." That will take place Saturday, Oct. 3 at Melick's Town Farm in Oldwick, NJ. DeLorenzo, who served as vice president and president of the council during his many years of service, and who was inducted into the EPC Hall of Fame in April 2013, died Nov. 12, 2014, at the age of 64.

One of the extraordinary moments of the evening, however, came when Kneeland spoke about John McAleavey. "Our board of directors, past and present, are proud of what we have today and what we have done, and also what we will continue to do together for the future of this industry. None of this could have happened without our executive director."

He continued, "A dedicated family man first, John is almost never seen without John Jr. and Susan. In work and at home, they are a team like no other." Kneeland called McAleavey "a very humble guy," whose "accomplishments behind the scenes are incredible." But in a recent conversation between the two men, McAleavey "let it slip that he has been the Eastern Produce Council's executive director for 25 years. And that is not something we will let him be humble about."

So for all that he has done for the council, and with his family standing on stage, everyone at the dinner rose to applaud as the council presented McAleavey with a very special award indeed.