EPC doubles down on casino-themed dinner dance
WOODLAND PARK, NJ — The Eastern Produce Council held its 54th annual John J. McAleavey Gala — a night the event’s namesake called “the produce prom” — Saturday, April 9, at the Westmount Country Club, here. The dinner dance was last held in 2019 when the council upped the ante on the evening, switching to a casino night format, including blackjack and craps —and a DJ to keep things moving.
"It's great to be back after the two-year break," said Susan McAleavey Sarlund, EPC's executive director. She said her father, for whom the gala was renamed prior to its 51st iteration, loved the food, the view at the venue and the camaraderie the evening inspired.
Those in attendance were dressed to the nines and went all in for an evening filled with friends, amazing food and a beautiful view. "People are happy to be back," Sarlund said as the lively crowd celebrated the event's return.
Sponsors for the evening were C&S Wholesale Grocers and Genpro for the cocktail hour; Hudson River Fruit and Kerlin's for the casino; and Dole, NatureSweet and Bolthouse Farms sweetened the pot as the dessert sponsors.
Ryan Beckman
About Ryan Beckman | 
Ryan Beckman was born and raised in New Jersey. After studying creative writing at Rutgers University, he attended SUNY Binghamton and earned his master’s degree in English. The following year he and his wife, Amanda, journeyed to the province of Ontario to spend some time living in Toronto and cheering for the Maple Leafs. Ryan and Amanda now live in New York and spend their evenings staring at their ever-smiling son, Oscar.
Ryan has a love of reading traditional fiction and nonfiction, but has acquired a taste for graphic novels. Mariner history and astrophysics are interests for no particular reason, and in his free time, he loves brewing beer, 8 bit games and working on his photography.
