Hungry for a World Series win
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Contact: Kevin Shivers (717) 232-8582 or
(717) 571-0009
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Mike Elmendorf (518) 434-1262 or
(518) 426-8799
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HARRISBURG, Oct. 28, 2009—Members in two states of America’s leading small business group—the National Federation of Independent Business—announced a classic challenge in support of their World Series teams and to showcase delicious treats produced by small business owners in Pennsylvania and New York. The New York Yankees and Philadelphia Phillies square off Wednesday in the 105th fall classic
The terms of the challenge were announced by members of the state Leadership Councils for NFIB in Pennsylvania and New York. Council members in the losing state will pose for a photograph wearing the winning team’s hats or jerseys. The photo will be delivered to the Leadership Council in the winning state at their next meeting, along with a cornucopia of foods and snacks produced by NFIB members in the losing state.
The Pennsylvania offer includes Yocco’s hot dogs and Herr’s potato chips. The New York offer includes an assortment of Italian pastries from Villa Italia bakery. Pennsylvania members showcased in previous championship wagers have included Asher’s Chocolates, Auntie Anne’s soft pretzels and Presque Isle wines.
“New York small business owners love baseball and are hungry for another World Series win,” said Brian Merriam, president of Merriam Insurance and chairman of the NFIB/New York Leadership Council. “I see no better way to satisfy our appetite than when the Yankees bring home the commissioner’s trophy and our state’s Leadership Council members get to enjoy a delicious ballpark-style lunch and snacks compliments of two great NFIB members, Herrs Foods and Yocco’s the Hot Dog King! With these delicious treats, it’s no doubt our next meeting will be the best attended of the year.”
Sports fans interested in purchasing these delicious snacks for their World Series parties can visit: www.yoccos.com, www.herrs.com and www.villaitaliabakery.com
“This wager was sweet and easy,” said Phillies fan, Donna Partin, a Merry Maids franchise owner and NFIB/Pennsylvania Leadership Council vice chair. “The Phillies are on a roll. When they beat the Yankees, our Pennsylvania Leadership Council members get to enjoy delicious pastries compliments of our friends at Villa Italia bakery in New York. Maybe we’ll save them to watch the Eagles square off against the Steelers in Super Bowl XLIV.”
The NFIB Leadership Council members hail from every corner of their respective states and represent a variety of industries. The councils serve in an advisory capacity to both the NFIB state and national organization.
Yocco’s, located in Emmaus, Lehigh County, is a longtime regional favorite for hot dogs, cheese-steaks, french fries and pierogies. The company was founded in 1922 by Theodore Iacocca, uncle of Lee Iacocca. Yocco’s is currently run by Gary Iacocca, the third-generation owner. The fourth generation is now active as well.
The Herr Foods story began in 1946 when James S. Herr launched his career with a $1,750 investment in a small Lancaster, Pa. potato chip company and a keen desire to make and sell high-quality snack foods. At the time, sales averaged $30 a week. But the 21-year-old’s persistence and business acumen led him on a path of steady growth. By 1999, sales volume had expanded to more than $100 million annually and the Herr’s payroll included some 1,100 employees dedicated to the production and marketing of 240 varieties of snacks in a nine state region.
The Villa Italia/Mallozzi story began in Minturno, Italy, where owner Bobby Mallozzi’s grandparents owned a small pastry shop. When his grandfather passed in 1959, his father, Joe Mallozzi, immigrated to the U.S. to start a new life in a new country. Joe moved his family near Schenectady, N.Y., and took up work in a German bakery. Within a few short years, Mallozzi saved enough money to purchase a small pizzeria named Villa Italia, quickly phased out the pizza and cold cuts and began introducing miniature Italian pastries and cakes. Today, the family business continues to produce all of the great pastries and cakes introduced by their parents all those years ago—and have added a few new things along the way.
Long regarded as the nation’s top job creators, small businesses also are the bedrock of the agricultural economies in Pennsylvania and New York. Pennsylvania is home to almost 60,000 farm families and more than 7.7 million acres of farmland. With $4 billion in cash receipts annually from agriculture, farmers and agribusinesses are the leading agricultural producers in the northeastern U.S. NFIB members such as Herr’s Foods and Yocco’s firmly anchor Pennsylvania’s position as “snack capital of the world.”
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