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EPC honors Marianne Santo at annual gala

By
Ryan G. Beckman

DSC 6836WOODLAND PARK, NJ — The Eastern Produce Council held its 57th annual John J. McAleavey Gala — a night the event’s namesake called “the produce prom” — Saturday, April 6, at the Westmount Country Club, here. This year's dinner dance honored Marianne Santo, the council's former president who died last September.

Wakefern Food Corp.’s Marianne Santo, EPC president, with Kelly Davis, a longtime member of EPC who recently left Allegiance Retail Services to pursue a career in real estate.
Marianne Santo, EPC president at the time, with Kelly
Davis, a close friend and former EPC vice president, at
the 2022 John J. McAleavey Gala.

Santo was passionate about supporting women and people in need, and in her honor the EPC collaborated with Dress Express Boutique, a New Jersey non-profit organization founded with the mission to support young women. Attendees donated more than 100 dresses at the event, according to Theresa Lowden, current president of EPC.

The council also gave bracelets to women attending the gala. "The message behind them is to stop and smell the roses and embrace life, which reminded us of Marianne and her positive approach to life," said Susan McAleavey Sarlund, EPC's executive director.

Kelly Davis, a former vice president of EPC, also spoke to attendees about her close friend: "As many of you can attest, Marianne had a heart of gold and a giving spirit. Being in the produce industry allowed her the space to shine as a leader and as a supporter of causes like Feeding America, local food banks, nonprofits that provide meals to those in need and charities that empower women and young girls."

Carmine Santo also spoke of his gratitude for the relationships his wife formed in the produce industry. "She had a passion for feeding people, educating and advancing this industry as a whole," he said.

The night included a cocktail hour, dinner, entertainment by the Jersey Tenors and a DJ.

Ryan Beckman

Ryan Beckman

About Ryan Beckman  |  email

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 is always looking for a good book to read, is sure to be a few hours behind on sleep and will never stop loving 8-bit games.

 

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