4 • URNER BARRY'S REPORTER / VOL. 19, NO. 1 / WINTER 2024
From the Editor's Desk...
As the 19th volume gets underway for Urner Barry's Reporter
Newsmagazine, I can't help but think back on its formative years,
when we were taking a fledgling idea and giving it a life of its own.
Like so many ventures into unfamiliar territory, the earliest issues
experienced their share of trials, as Urner Barry took a then novel
approach to an old idea and wrestled it into something that today is
instantly recognizable.
In these days of rapid cultural and societal change, it's not surprising that
we increasingly seek comfort in familiarity. This is not exactly shocking given
tumultuous global events, such as COVID, or more industry-centric happenings,
such as HPAI or labor challenges. Departure from the norm leaves us yearning
for something we recognize, understand, and trust.
Naturally, one person's idea of what is normal or recognizable is not necessarily
what breeds familiarity with someone else. But there is a "sweet spot" in there
where learning from the past and welcoming the future intersect; a place that
isn't easy to get to, but where we all strive to meet.
Welcoming the future frequently means giving up something from the past and,
in doing so, losing some of the familiarity and comfort that is increasingly difficult
to find today. Maybe that's why it's taken me well into this dialogue to announce
that Volume 19, No. 1, will be the final edition of Urner Barry's Reporter. Time
and circumstance have intervened and, while our editorial team will continue to
cover the critical issues impacting today's food industry, they will do so without
Urner Barry's Reporter.
I'd like to say "thank you" to our loyal readers, advertisers, and patrons,
along with Urner Barry's dedicated staff who, each quarter for almost two
decades, have been responsible for putting together the finest food industry
newsmagazine ever produced! Inside this issue, we've taken a stroll down
memory lane by featuring a few covers and spreads through the years, along
with some behind the scenes pictures of the faces who have made it all possible.
I like to think that at Urner Barry, 165 years of familiarity has bred trust in
our products, confidence in our staff and respect for our history. But being
comfortable rarely leads to "greatness." Today, we hold close our traditional
ideals while pursuing business efficiencies only dreamed of a few short years
ago. And while that may come with sacrifice, we will continue to promote
greater depth of knowledge, helping lead your business to unforeseen heights.
While this might be the final "From the Editors Desk...," it certainly won't be the
last time you hear from me. In the meantime, when the new year rolls around,
I'm going to approach 2024 not so much as out with the old and in with the
new, but more like let's not forget what the past has taught us, and look forward
to the future with great anticipation.
Stay in touch…
Russell W. Whitman
Senior Editor
rwhitman@urnerbarry.com
SENIOR EDITOR
Russ Whitman
MANAGING EDITOR
Amanda Buckle
CONTRIBUTORS
the newsmagazine for the
food industry professional
Urner Barry's Reporter (ISSN 1944771X) is published
quarterly by Urner Barry Publications, 1001 Corporate
Circle, Suite 1, Toms River, NJ 08755. Periodicals Postage
Paid at Toms River, NJ 08755 and additional offices.
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Urner Barry's
Reporter, 1001 Corporate Circle, Suite 1, New Jersey 08755.
Subscription to Urner Barry's Reporter is free. Mail
subscription orders and changes to Urner Barry's Reporter,
Subscription Department, 1001 Corporate Circle, Toms River,
NJ 08755 or call 800-932-0617.
Printed in the U.S.A. Copyright © 2021
Tel. 732-240-5330 • Fax 732-341-0891
mail@urnerbarry.comet="_blank" title="Visit www.urnerbarry.com">www.urnerbarry.com • mail@urnerbarry.com
Nothing may be reproduced in whole or part
without written permission from the publisher.
Mintec Global Brands • Bourne End, United Kingdom
www.mintecglobal.com
EDITORIAL DIRECTOR
Jamie Chadwick
CREATIVE LEAD
Maria Morales
PRODUCTION MANAGER
Amanda Frey
ADVERTISING
Ben Cronin
Bill Lynskey
Victoria Mattiello
SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION
800-932-0617
Jaime Almeida
Mason Augustino
Joshua Bickert
Lorin Castiglione
Liz Cuozzo
Ryan Doyle
Simon Duke
Natasha Estremera
Chris Fastiggi
Ryan Hojnowski
Dylan Hughes
Pete Iridoy
Jim Kenny
Dineo Komane
Gary Morrison
Fabienne O'Donoghue
Vivek Patil
Karyn Rispoli-Pardue
Janice Schreiber
Courtney Shum
Andraia Torsiello
Todd Unger