Cancer survivor, former Giants linebacker inspires EPC attendees
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ — The Eastern Produce Council held its annual Tailgate Dinner Sept. 19, here, at MetLife Stadium, home to the Giants and Jets of the National Football League.
Attendees had the opportunity to tour the stadium, including the field and press box, before festivities kicked off with a cocktail hour and dinner, followed by an inspirational talk by former New York Giants Linebacker Mark Herzlich.
Despite being diagnosed with cancer in his left leg during his senior year at Boston College, Herzlich persevered and made the Giants’ 53-man roster. He was a member of the 2016 team that won the Super Bowl, and he spoke of the strong team and family support he received during his diagnosis and treatment while overcoming cancer.
The meeting was sponsored by the Idaho Potato Commission, Zespri and Oppy.
EPC officials and sponsors of the Sept. 19 Tailgate Party at MetLife Stadium with featured speaker and former New York Giants linebacker Mark Herzlich.
Allan Napolitano of SunTerra Produce Traders and Nancy Byner of Potandon Produce.
Josh and Paul Auerbach of Maurice A. Auerbach with Al Murray of the New Jersey Agricultural Society.
Vic Savanello of SpartanNash and Mark Smith of Melissa’s.
Jason Weiler of J Star Produce, Jeff Young of A&J Produce, and Joe and Victor Joseph of Victor Joseph & Son.
Bonnie Lundblad of Sunny Valley International with Christine Fries, Joseph Atchison and Nancy Wood of the New Jersey Department of Agriculture.
Newell Thompson and Al Murray of the New Jersey Agricultural Society.
Dan Welk of Veg Pro International, Jeff Garrison of Sunsweet and Rob Goldstein of GenPro.
Charlie Wey of Stew Leonard’s with Ross Johnson and Mike Krage of the Idaho Potato Commission.
Francisco D’Iorio and Matthew Rendine of Baldor Specialty Foods with Valeria Villaseñor, Maggie Bezart and Pepe Barragan of La Bonanza Avocados.
Representing America’s Grow a Row were Erica Stevenson and Jess Huber.
Mark Herzlich, a cancer survivor and former New York Giants linebacker, waits to take the stage as the featured speaker of the Sept. 19 Tailgate Dinner sponsored by the Idaho Potato Commission, Zespri and Oppy.
John Groh
About John Groh | 
John Groh graduated from the University of San Diego in 1989 with a bachelors of arts degree in English. Following a brief stint as a sportswriter covering the New York Giants football team, he joined The Produce News in 1995 as an assistant editor and worked his way up the ranks, becoming publisher in 2006. He and his wife, Mary Anne, live in northern New Jersey in the suburbs of New York City.
